DLA Piper advises John Menzies on its recommended cash offer

DLA Piper has advised aviation services business John Menzies plc (Menzies) in respect of the recommended cash offer by Gil International Holdings V Limited a wholly owned subsidiary of Agility Public Warehousing Company K.S.C.P. (Agility), a provider of supply chain services, innovation and investment for Menzies.

Under the terms of the offer, each Menzies shareholder will be entitled to receive 608 pence in case per Menzies share. Following completion of the acquisition, Agility will combine the Menzies’ business with that of its existing wholly-owned subsidiary, National Aviation Services (NAS). The combined group, including Menzies, aims to expand the breadth and depth of service offerings to customers and meet growing expectations to invest in areas including technology, new equipment, warehousing infrastructure and training. Together, the companies will be able to respond more effectively in an increasingly competitive market.

Menzies is a key partner to the global aviation industry, delivering time-critical logistics services at more than 200 locations in more than 37 countries, across six continents, through a global team of more than 25,000 highly trained people. Menzies Aviation is firmly established as a global player in cargo, fuelling and ground handling with strong competitive positioning within each of its core focus areas and an excellent reputation in the market.

NAS is an established and trusted aviation services provider in the emerging markets, with customers including many of the world’s leading airlines such as British Airways, Air France, KLM, Emirates and Qatar Airways. It is also one of the industry's fastest growing regional aviation services providers, with a presence in more than 55 airports across the Middle East, Africa and South Asia.

NAS is part of the Agility group, a global supply chain services, infrastructure and innovation company listed on the Kuwait Stock Exchange and the Dubai Financial Market. Agility has a proven track record of investing in and successfully scaling businesses sustainably and responsibly, both organically and through acquisitions.

The DLA Piper team was led by London-based Corporate partners Jon Earle and Charles Severs, supported by legal director Karin Kirschner and associate Thomas Morris. Partners Sarah Smith (London), Janine Simpson (Johannesburg) and Paolo Morante (New York), and of counsel Nicholas Klein (Washington DC) advised on Litigation & Regulatory matters, while partner Jonathan Exten-Wright (London) advised on Employment, legal director Lynda Finan (Leeds) advised on Tax and partner Matthew Swynnerton (London) advised on Pensions.