Menzies acquires JBT Distribution

Menzies Distribution has acquired logistics and supply chain services business JBT Distribution, extending its network coverage with the addition of 200 vehicles and six operating sites.

JBT is based in Bathgate, West Lothian, with further depots in Aberdeen, Inverness, East Kilbride, Lerwick (Shetland) and Kirkwall (Orkney). The acquisition adds to Menzies’ geographical reach across Scotland, its growing blue-chip customer base and also provides further capability to add to Menzies’ growing range of B2B retail logistics services.

It’s the fourth strategic announcement made by Menzies in six months. In December 2020, Menzies sealed a transformational deal combining two of the UK’s major logistics businesses. It acquired Bibby Distribution, now Menzies Distribution Solutions, unlocking geographic potential and adding 38 new operating sites and a large, young fleet to the well-established Menzies platform.

In January 2021, former Asda CEO Andy Clarke was appointed as non-executive chairman and, in May 2021, former Booker CEO Charles Wilson joined as a non-executive Director and new significant investor.

Greg Michael, chief executive officer of Menzies, said: “We are gaining momentum at pace as we execute our ambitious strategy for growth and are delighted to acquire JBT. We believe that through combining the complementary business with Menzies, there are significant opportunities to grow both businesses through unlocking further geographical capability and expanding services to both sets of customers in Scotland and throughout the UK and Ireland.

“For both our businesses’ customers, it will be very much business as usual and we look forward to supporting their growth in the coming years and working with Robert Gordon, Donald Carmichael and the rest of the team at JBT to help deliver this. We warmly welcome our new colleagues and look forward to the next phase of our journey as an enlarged group.”