Menzies Distribution has announced the acquisition of Scottish-based arts and tourism leaflet display specialist EAE (Edinburgh Arts and Entertainment). The deal supports the company’s strategy of strengthening its UK logistics services, following a number of other key acquisitions and contracts in the parcel delivery and e-commerce fulfilment markets over the past year.
By taking on Scotland’s premier print and marketing display specialists, Menzies Distribution will extend the market leading position it already occupies in England through the subsidiary Take One Media, the UK’s leading business in display and distribution of tourism information.
The company will continue to trade as EAE under the leadership of General Manager Glen Bennett, who will report into Philippa Harris, Managing Director of Take One Media.
Paul McCourt, Managing Director of Menzies Distribution said: “This deal gives us two major advantages for the price of one. Firstly, it complements our Take One business, already the UK’s market leader in the field of tourism display and distribution, providing us with complete Scottish coverage. Secondly, it is another opportunity for us to maximise resource efficiency during daylight hours when our staff and vans are not engaged in newspaper deliveries. It’s another significant step for Menzies Distribution as we look to make the best use of our unrivalled network and capabilities, especially for final mile deliveries and hard-to-reach areas.”
EAE was established in 1987 by a consortium of nine heritage, cultural and tourism organisations to provide more cost effective ways of getting their promotional print into the hands of potential audiences and customers, and has grown into Scotland’s largest print distribution and display specialists, serving the entire country from 12 regional storage and distribution centres. It services around 2,400 regularly merchandised display stands and 3,000 outlets on behalf of around 800 clients, ranging from government bodies and major institutions in Glasgow and Edinburgh to small B&Bs and visitor attractions in the Highlands.
Take One has around 8,000 merchandised displays and 29,000 outlets in total, supported by print, web, email and digital promotion channels. It handles 50m pieces of print across 1,500 customers.
Earlier this year, Menzies secured a contract with the Card Factory to deliver stock to its network of shops across the UK. It is also providing logistics support for e-commerce deliveries to B2C Europe and wnDirect.
In the last two years, Menzies has acquired AJG Parcels of Inverness, Oban Couriers and Thistle Couriers in Aberdeen, consolidating its position as a neutral consolidation partner for major parcel carriers, especially in hard-to-reach areas.
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