Disposal of Marketlink Marketing Communications

RNS Number : 6847D

Smiths News PLC

01 May 2013

 



RNS announcement

Smiths News PLC

Disposal of Marketlink Marketing Communications

Smiths News PLC ('the Group'), the largest UK newspaper and magazine wholesaler, a leading UK book supplier and a leading distributor of consumable products to the education market, is today announcing the disposal of Dawson Marketing Services Limited and its trading subsidiary, Marketlink Marketing Communications Limited ('MMC') for a consideration of £0.2m.

The Group has chosen to divest MMC as it is not core to our stated strategy of being a leading player in chosen specialist distribution markets. 

In the year ended 31 August 2012, MMC generated revenues of £6.0m and operating profit of £0.1m.

Enquiries:

Smiths News PLC
Mark Cashmore, Group Chief Executive	Tel: [phone]
Nick Gresham, Chief Financial Officer
Buchanan
Jeremy Garcia / Gabriella Clinkard	Tel: [phone]

About Smiths News PLC:

Smiths News PLC comprises Smiths News, the UK's leading wholesaler of newspapers and magazines, Bertram Books, a leading UK book supplier and The Consortium, a leading independent distributor of consumable products to the education and care markets.

Smiths News distributes newspapers and magazines on behalf of all the major national publishers as well as a large number of regional publishers. The business serves approximately 30,000 customers across England and Wales, supplying large general retailers as well as smaller independent newsagents. Smiths News has an approximate 55% share of the newspaper and magazine wholesaling market in the UK. In addition to its distribution activities, Smiths News collects and processes returns, supplies sales information to publishers and provides a range of services for its retail customers.

Bertram Books supplies books to a mix of independent booksellers, on-line and multiple retailers, and libraries. Bertrams is a leading supplier of consumer and academic books in the UK and a growing player in international, digital and B2C markets.

In April 2012 the company acquired The Consortium. The Consortium is the UK's leading distributor of educational and care consumable products servicing 30,000 customers. The business has a 5% market share in large and growing markets.

 

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