UK newspaper and magazine supply chain distribution company, Menzies Distribution, has added The Journey Group's Media On The Move business to its portfolio.

Media On The Move's activities centre around the marketing and distribution of reading material to airports, airlines and other travel sectors. The acquisition will provide Menzies with new opportunities for growth by providing new cruise, train and aviation clients, and will allow the company to grow

Menzies already runs two travel-focused, printed media distribution businesses: Menzies Travel Media and Reed Aviation (an acquisition from November 2010). Between them, the companies have relationships with over 200 publishing firms and 60 clients from limousine/chauffer companies to major international airlines.

After the acquisition was announced, shares in John Menzies (of which Menzies Distribution is a subsidiary), rose by around 2% to reach 543.7p, following an increase of 7% earlier this week after the company advised it had enjoyed ‘a positive start to the year'.

John Menzies saw its shares drop to just 43p in 2009 as concerns over the future of the aviation industry, mounting debts, and limited growth potential of its core distribution business took hold.

David Morton, Strategic Director of Menzies Distribution commented: "Media On The Move has carved out a respected position in the market and has a strong reputation for innovation. Combining that with our strengths in logistics provides us with fantastic opportunities in the UK and overseas. Both companies have always had a focus on providing clients with the best product choice, high quality service and value for money so one very much complements the other. We will now be looking to develop an increasingly more sophisticated offer for travellers, be they on trains, planes or boats."

Author: Lee Marriott, Analyst