InPost buys rest of Menzies Distribution in £60m deal

Amsterdam-listed parcel locker company InPost Group said it has acquired the remaining 70% stake in Menzies Distribution Limited in an all-cash transaction valued at £60.4 million.

“The transaction concerns Express and Newstrade segments,” said InPost.

“The third segment, MDS, responsible mainly for full load transport and warehousing was demerged from Menzies and is not the part of the transaction.

“It will continue to be run by its existing management team and InPost will retain a 30% shareholding in MDS.”

InPost said it began its partnership with Menzies in 2023, acquiring a 30% stake in the company for £49.3 million.

“During the second half of 2023 and into 2024, InPost and Menzies collaborated under a commercial agreement, achieving significant milestones including setting up high-quality e-commerce parcel logistics,” said InPost.

“Menzies’ logistics capabilities and operational synergies enabled InPost to achieve a 156% increase YoY in the UK parcel volume in H1 2024.

“Moreover, Menzies’ enhanced service enabled InPost to improve its quality KPIs. Finally, it has allowed innovations such as the recently launched B2C service called ‘Collect’, where e-commerce retailers are now able to offer delivery to over 8,000 InPost Lockers.

“Menzies is a profitable, cash-generative business and InPost expects the company will be fully consolidated in the Group’s financials during Q4 2024. The acquisition will not have a significant impact on InPost’s leverage ratio.”

InPost Group CEO Rafał Brzoska said: “With this strategic acquisition, InPost fully insources logistics in the UK. With Menzies fully integrated, we are even better positioned to create an exceptional offering in terms of quality, price and convenience for both merchants and consumers.

“This acquisition ultimately creates a single integrated organization that can take advantage of the increasing consumer demand for locker deliveries in the UK and that will redefine how e-commerce delivery operates in this market.

“We would like to give a warm welcome to the whole Menzies team, including the Newstrade division – an established and renowned business in an industry we are excited to enter.

“We are proud of what that part of Menzies has achieved so far, and we look forward to working as one group to grow all aspects of the business.”

InPost UK CEO Neil Kuschel said: “This transaction is a critical milestone in unlocking and accelerating the growth potential of InPost in the UK.

“As one company, we will be able to create a business designed to win in the UK and serve the B2C market at a faster rate as more consumers discover the benefits of delivery to our lockers.

“The acquisition helps bring together the strengths of both organisations and will build on the commercial progress made under the leadership and guidance of Greg Michael, Menzies Group CEO.”