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John Menzies plc

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FY1999 Annual Report · John Menzies plc
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John Menzies plc is a leading distribution
John Menzies plc is a leading distribution
services group with a strategy firmly focused 
services group with a strategy firmly focused 
on growing shareholder value by creating a 
on growing shareholder value by creating a 
top quality business for the future.
top quality business for the future.

Menzies Group

Annual Review 1999

CONTENTS

1 Highlights of the Year
2 Chairman’s Statement
3 Board of Directors
4 Chief Executive’s Review
8 Menzies Group

10 Menzies Distribution:

John Menzies Wholesale
THE

13 Menzies Transport Services
14 THE Games
15 Early Learning Centre
16 Financial Review
18 Summary Group Profit and Loss Account
19 Summary Group Balance Sheet
20 Summary Group Cash Flow Statement
21 Summary Directors’ Report and Statement by the Auditors
22 Summary Report on Directors’ Remuneration 
23 Shareholder Information
24 Five Year Summary 
ibc Contact Addresses

Menzies Group – Contact Addresses

JOHN MENZIES PLC

MENZIES TRANSPORT SERVICES

Execair Aviation Services

Chief Executive – David Mackay
Corporate Head Office:
Executive Offices
108 Princes Street
Edinburgh
EH2 3AA
Tel: 0131 225 8555
Fax: 0131 226 3752

Registered Office:
Hanover Buildings
Rose Street
Edinburgh
EH2 2YQ
(Registered in Scotland No. 34970)

JOHN MENZIES WHOLESALE

Managing Director – Iain Callaghan
2 Lochside Avenue
Edinburgh Park
Edinburgh
EH12 9DJ
Tel: 0131 467 8070
Fax: 0131 469 4797

THE

Managing Director – Norman Smith
Rosevale Business Park
Newcastle-under-Lyme
Staffordshire
ST5 7QT
Tel: 01782 566 566
Fax: 01782 565 400

THE GAMES

Managing Director – Dick Francis
Parham Drive
Boyatt Wood
Eastleigh
Hampshire
SO50 4NU
Tel: 02380 653 377
Fax: 02380 652 239

Chief Executive – Peter Smith
Divisional Head Office:
Brambletye House
29 Brighton Road
Crawley
West Sussex
RH10 6AE
Tel: 01293 583 300
Fax: 01293 526 478

Concorde Express

Managing Director – Allan Gardner
Building 559
Shoreham Road West
Heathrow Airport
Middlesex
TW6 3TU
Tel: 0208 754  9051
Fax: 0208 754  9058

London Cargo Centre

Managing Director – Bob Bingley
Building 557
Shoreham Road West
Heathrow Airport
Middlesex
TW6 3RJ
Tel: 0208 750 3001
Fax: 0208 750 3005

AMI

Managing Director – Des Vertannes
Astral Towers
Betts Way
Crawley
West Sussex
RH10 2XA
Tel: 01293 517 817
Fax: 01293 551 114

Managing Director – Trevor Warburton
The Business Aviation Centre
Edinburgh Airport
Edinburgh
EH12 9DN
Tel: 0131 317 7447
Fax: 0131 317 7484

Menzies Security Services

Managing Director – Peter Smith
29 Brighton Road
Brambletye House
Crawley
West Sussex
RH10 6AE
Tel: 01293 658 111
Fax: 01293 526 478

GlobeGround

Managing Director – Hans Freise
GlobeGround Manchester
Room 707
Tower Block
Manchester Airport
M90 2GG
Tel: 0161 489 3159
Fax: 0161 954 0450

GlobeGround Stansted
General Manager – Phil Bowell
Room 109
Enterprise House
Stansted Airport
Essex
CM24 1QW
Tel: 01279 663676
Fax: 01279 663677

EARLY LEARNING CENTRE

Managing Director – Mike France
South Marston Park
Swindon
Wiltshire
SN3 4TJ
Tel: 01793 831300
Fax: 01793 824114

Highlights of the Year

Turnover

£1,280.8m up

2.0%

Profit before tax*

£28.6m down £5.4m

Earnings per share*

31.8p

down

8.2p

Final dividend

11.0p

up

5.8%

*before exceptional items

n Important progress made in creating a focused distribution

services Group

n Balance sheet gearing cut from 53 per cent to nil

n Recovery under way at Early Learning Centre

n Significant expansion in airport services

Menzies Group

1

Chairman’s Statement

“The past year has seen us continue the restructuring
necessary to develop a focused distribution services Group. 
I remain confident that this strategy will deliver sustainable
growth in shareholder value in the years ahead.”

BOARD

I wrote in my interim statement that management changes were
underway at all levels of the Group, including within your Board.

In November 1998 Ranald Noel-Paton, our Deputy

Chairman, retired from the Board after twelve years with the
Group, ten of them as Managing Director. James Bennett, who
has been Financial Director since 1981, will retire on health
grounds on 31st July 1999. I would like to thank them for the
important contribution that both have made to the Group.

Dermot Jenkinson stepped down as an executive director on
30th April 1999 but I am delighted that he has agreed to remain
on the Board. I welcome Martyn Smith, previously Group
Financial Controller of Inchcape plc, to the Board as Finance
Director.

OUTLOOK AND DIVIDEND

The past year has seen the Group tackle the initial disadvantages
which change brings. Our overall performance has now begun to
respond positively, and we are in a better position to exploit
opportunities in the distribution and airport services sectors than
we were 12 months ago. This is encouraging.

As a reflection of this confidence your Board is recommending
an increased final dividend of 11.0p making a total for the year of
15.8p, a rise of 3.9 per cent over last year. This is covered two
times by earnings before exceptional items.

Gavin Reed
Chairman

1

Last year I reported that following an extensive strategic review
your Board had instituted an ambitious and far-reaching process
of change. This process entailed a combination of business
disposal, strategic acquisition and operational restructuring, all
of which are intended to enhance our organic growth.

We have taken some significant steps towards achieving our
objective: in November we sold Smythson of Bond Street, whilst
several important acquisitions were made by Menzies Transport
Services, our fast expanding airport services business.

Within our core distribution operations, John Menzies
Wholesale continues to provide the Group with a strong and
predictable cash flow, while THE has redefined its existing
business following a major reassessment of its trading strategy,
product range and stock levels. Good progress has been made in
restoring Early Learning Centre to health, and our strategy
remains to realise this retail operation.

2

Menzies Group

Board of Directors

* Non-executive director
† Member of Audit Committee
‡ Member of Remuneration Committee
§ Member of Nomination Committee

2

5

8

3

6

9

4

7

10

1 Gavin Reed *‡§ Chairman
Gavin Reed (64) was appointed a non-executive
director in 1992 and is Chairman of the Remuneration
and Nomination Committees. Previously Vice
Chairman of Scottish & Newcastle, he is Chairman of
Hamilton & Inches Ltd and holds a number of other
directorships.
2 David Mackay § Chief Executive
David Mackay (56) joined the Group in 1964. He 
was appointed to the Board as Wholesale Managing
Director in 1984 and became the Group’s Chief
Executive in 1997.

3 James Bennett
James Bennett (57) was appointed Group Financial
Director in 1981, a position he held until his
retirement on 31st July 1999. He held a non-
executive directorship at Scottish Provident
Institution to May 1999.

4 Iain Callaghan
Iain Callaghan (52) joined the Group in 1965 and was
appointed to the Board on 1st January 1997. He is
Managing Director of John Menzies Wholesale.

7 Ian Harrison*†‡
Ian Harrison (42) was appointed as a non-executive
director in 1987. He is a director of Record Treasury
Management Ltd.

5 William Thomson*†‡§
William Thomson (59) has been a non-executive
director since 1987 and is Chairman of the Audit
Committee. He is Chairman of E G Thomson
(Shipping) Ltd and British Assets Trust plc and a
director of several other UK companies.

6 Dermot Jenkinson*
Dermot Jenkinson (44) was appointed to the Board in
1986 where he held various executive responsibilities
prior to assuming a non-executive role on 30th April
1999. 

8 Charles Ramsay*†‡
Charles Ramsay (62) was appointed a non-executive
director in 1990. He is Chairman of Cockburns of
Leith plc and holds several other directorships.

9 Michael Walker*†‡
Michael Walker (46) was appointed a non-executive
director in 1995. He is Managing Partner of
solicitors Maclay Murray & Spens.

10 Martyn Smith 
Martyn Smith (44) joined the Group and was
appointed to the Board as Group Finance Director
on 5th July 1999. He was previously Group Financial
Controller of Inchcape plc.

Menzies Group

3

Chief Executive’s Review

“The past two years have seen the Group undergo considerable
change as we establish a secure base upon which future
growth can be built. Important progress has been made. 
Our key news wholesale business provides the security of
earnings necessary to exploit the many opportunities
presented by our rapidly expanding airport services business.

Our priority in the current year is to develop these opportunities
and restore the Group’s record of consistent profit growth.”

based office supplies business in which we hold a 36 per cent
interest, continues to make a valuable contribution to profits at
£5.1m, £0.8m up on last year. Overall profits in Distribution
Services fell by £6.3m to £34.8m. In Retailing, losses in Early
Learning Centre were reduced by £2.7m to £4.0m, as the
benefits from improved sales offset the costs of returning this
business to health.

Exceptional items of £15.2m arise mainly from the

implementation of the change in strategy at THE announced in
January, and include a significant reduction in its range and
stockholding.

DISTRIBUTION SERVICES

John Menzies Wholesale remains the dominant business within
the Group, providing a solid platform for reinvestment in itself
and in the rest of the Group. Newspaper sales form the greater
part of its turnover, and the continuing decline in this market,
combined with the ongoing use of strategic price reductions by
publishers, has restricted the division’s overall sales increase to
1.1 per cent, at £814.4m. Within this total, magazines achieved a
creditable 6.3 per cent increase.

RESULTS

Sales in Distribution Services grew by 2.6 per cent to £1,134.5m,
affected by the loss of sales to the John Menzies Retail chain
which was sold in May 1998. In our remaining Retailing
business, Early Learning Centre, sales were up 9.1 per cent on a
like-for-like basis, although 3.0 per cent down overall as a result
of its withdrawal from the nursery market. Sales from continuing
businesses were up 2.0 per cent in total at £1,280.8m.

Group profit before taxation and exceptional items benefited
from a £2.9m improvement in interest costs, resulting from the
sale of John Menzies Retail, but was nevertheless £5.4m down on
last year at £28.6m.

The division’s record in adding value through its range of
services, exemplified by its space and range planning initiatives,
has assisted many of its customers to achieve sales increases
ahead of its market and to target new sales opportunities.

Within operating profits, the reduction in John Menzies
Wholesale’s profits had been fully anticipated – as a result of the
renewal of long-term contracts – but losses in THE were only
partly offset by improvements at THE Games and Menzies
Transport Services. Samas Universal Office Supplies, the Dutch

A major achievement during the year was the successful
rationalisation of several distribution territories with other
wholesalers, complementing our focus on bigger and more
effective branches. Further investment is planned for the current
year, reducing the number of full branches as we continue the

4

Menzies Group

drive to achieve optimum cost-effectiveness. A key element of
this is our IT development programme, which helps reduce
unnecessary administration for our retail customers and
publishers, underpinning our business’ role in a changing world.

Menzies Transport Services (MTS) is the focus of the
Group’s drive for growth, and has almost doubled in size in
recent months. Its core air cargo handling operation continues to
win contracts, filling the capacity of its new facility. The purchase
of BOC Cargo Services for £4.9m in June 1999, has enhanced
capacity and geographic spread – with operations at Heathrow,
Manchester and Birmingham airports – and brings important
synergy benefits. Real progress is being made in creating a major
business that now handles 320,000 tonnes of air cargo for 60,000
flights per year.

Our international freight forwarders AMI suffered from the
slowdown in activity resulting from the Far East trading situation
earlier in the year, and the strong pound. However, with the
demise of two of its competitors and the enthusiasm of its new
Managing Director this business is targeted to re-establish
suitable levels of net profit performance.

On 1st May 1999, MTS commenced its contract to provide a

passenger and baggage transfer service between the Heathrow
terminals, worth some £5 million in revenue annually. The
purchase of the executive aircraft handler Execair for £3.5m in
March 1999 brings an immediate benefit to earnings. The recent
launch of an airport security service is also expected to enhance
profits at an early stage.

Our partnership with Lufthansa’s ground handling subsidiary,

GlobeGround, continues to develop in close harmony, and is a
key to our successful expansion in air cargo, in ground handling,
and onwards into other activities “behind the scenes” at airports.
In its first year of joint operation the London Cargo Centre has
exceeded our expectations, despite the limited growth in cargo
traffic resulting from the difficulties currently being experienced
in the UK export market. GlobeGround’s operation at
Manchester airport, in which MTS acquired a 49 per cent share
in November 1998, won an early contract from Aer Lingus. 
A full ramp and passenger handling service was also recently
launched at Stansted airport.

From fuelling or de-icing, through management of passenger

lounges or cargo load planning, to airport security or trolley
management, the tasks to be performed at airports and in

Using a fleet of specially designed vans and coaches Menzies Transport Services
provides a transfer service for over 3 million passengers and 6.5 million bags
between Heathrow airport’s four terminals annually.

support of airlines are legion. MTS is dedicated to providing a
range of these as part of a quality and seamless service.

Many of these new developments occurred at the end of the
1998/99 financial year and are therefore not yet fully reflected in
our results. Nevertheless MTS’ sales, including the Group’s
share of the London Cargo Centre, showed an increase of
10.7 per cent, at £47.6m. Profits for the past year have been
constrained by the short term costs that are always a consequence
of rapid growth. The current year will be similarly affected, with
initial losses of £0.5m including rationalisation costs expected
from the former BOC operation before it returns to profit in the
following year. The outlook for MTS, with its strong
management team in place, is most encouraging.

THE’s performance has been disappointing with sales of

£152.2m, down £42.7m, due to the loss of a major contract and a
reduction in sales to the John Menzies Retail chain following its
sale to WH Smith. As I highlighted in the Interim Results in
January, we have implemented significant changes in strategy 
and control, and have also made a number of important
management changes. A new Chairman, and Managing,
Operating and Finance Directors were appointed in 1998, and a
full review of the range and level of stock and of operational
methods has been completed. This has confirmed that the

Zelda became the UK’s fastest selling video
game of all time, achieving sales of 
250,000 games in the two weeks 
to Christmas 1998.

Menzies Group

5

Chief Executive’s Review (continued)

business can support its customers to a high standard with much
reduced range, and has led to the disposal of the excess stock at
an exceptional loss.

The N64 will also benefit in the coming year from a strong
release programme of quality games targeted not only at current
users but also at widening the user base.

Other trading opportunities are emerging for THE. The

internet is one such opportunity, and we are in advanced
negotiations with several on-line retailers for the provision of
order fulfilment services. Additional investment is also being
directed at THE, with £1m in system improvements in the past
year and £1.3m in automated conveyor and packaging systems in
the current year. This, together with the reduction in warehouse
space needed to support the business, will drive reduced staffing
levels and should contribute significantly to the division’s return
to profitability.

THE Games’ principal product, the N64, has a typical life
cycle. Launched in March 1997, hardware sales in the current
year have been lower than in its first, highly successful, year.
Reduced hardware prices, reflecting the normal trends in this
market, were offset by increased software and Game Boy sales,
resulting in a slight increase in turnover at £120.3m. However the
higher software margins, favourable currency, and a growing user
base have contributed to increased profits from this business.

Modern systems are key to ensuring that THE provides high levels of customer
service at low cost.

Game Boy hardware and software sales continue to go from
strength to strength. Launched in 1990, sales in 1997 broke all
records, and did so again in 1998 with the launch of Game Boy
colour. The outlook for this product remains healthy, with more
developments planned.

Consumers are now beginning to look forward to the next
generation of machines. Nintendo, in partnership with Panasonic
and IBM, is preparing to take a major share in this market
through the launch of Dolphin by Christmas 2000. This support
combined with competitive pricing and a wide range of third
party software should ensure significant market presence.

As the sales curve of the key N64 console matures the current

year will be one in which our skill at stimulating and then
managing product demand will be even more important. In the
circumstances the division’s profits are expected to be reduced.

RETAILING

The recovery in Early Learning Centre’s toy sales is particularly
encouraging, as is its increase in market share. Since the
appointment of the new Managing Director in September 1997,
almost all the senior management team has been replaced, its
chain of nursery and childrenswear stores has been closed, and
significant changes have been made to its product lines. The new
range, with greater emphasis on learning through technology, hit
the shops just in time for the Christmas season, leading to like-
for-like sales increases of 15 per cent during December. Since
then, toy sales have consistently shown increases well above both
the previous year and the market in general, and ended the year
9.1 per cent up.

ELC is also extending its customer base and the ways of
reaching its customers. Sales through over 200 Sainsbury stores
have increased significantly, and trials for concessions and brand
extension through other high profile retailers such as
Debenhams and Granada are in hand. Mail order sales increased
by 60 per cent in the year, based on better catalogue design and
support. The internet presents new and exciting potential to
extend further the ELC brand, and plans are well advanced to
ensure we exploit the opportunities it offers.

Improvements are also being made to the structure of the

6

Menzies Group

Jones Yarrell Aberdeen supplies the newspapers
which are delivered daily to North Sea oil rigs.

The Group’s management development programme encourages employees at all
levels to reach that bit further working as a team.

business. A complete change to the store management and
control structure will encourage excellence at all levels and
enhance promotional and career opportunities for managers.
ELC’s warehouse and logistics function has been outsourced,
and, with an increase in own-label product sourcing from the Far
East, attention is now focusing on fine-tuning the management
of its supply chain.

The extent of the changes being undertaken at ELC has
inevitably delayed the point at which the business returns to
profit. However, the benefits involved have now begun to feed
through to the bottom line, and following a profitable second
half of 1998/99 we expect that it will show a profit for the
current year.

PEOPLE

The commitment and enthusiasm of our employees is
fundamental to the success of the Group. We will continue to
recruit and develop management and staff at all levels so that we
have the capacity to go on developing our business.

This year has been one of challenge for all our employees, as

we continue to lay the foundations for future growth. I thank
them all for their hard work, and extend a welcome to all new
employees.

OUTLOOK

For the last two years the Group has been undergoing
fundamental and far-reaching change as we implement our
strategy of turning John Menzies into a focused distribution
Group. Management across all our businesses is responding well
to the challenges which this change presents and much progress
has been made, with a secure base now established from which
long-term growth can flow.

I said last year that 1998/99 would be a year of consolidation
and strengthening. This process will continue in the current year
as we reshape and reposition our core distribution activities, and
develop the many investment opportunities which exist in the
fast growing airport services sector. We have managed many of
the early disadvantages which change often generates and now
the benefits of our strategy are beginning to feed through to the
financial results. I am therefore confident that we will see
progress in the current year and beyond.

David Mackay
Chief Executive

Menzies Group

7

Menzies Group

With sales in excess of £1.2 billion, and over 
8,000 employees, the Menzies Group is a major 
force in distribution services.

Menzies Distribution

Menzies Distribution is one of the UK’s leading wholesale
and distribution businesses supplying the news and home
entertainment markets.

Menzies Transport Services

Menzies Transport Services provides a range of services
supporting freight distribution and ground handling
operations within the growing airport services market.

THE Games

The exclusive distributor of Nintendo product in the
United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland.

Early Learning Centre

The UK’s leading retailer of quality learning toys, games
and books for the pre-school market. It operates from 
220 stores in the UK and Ireland and has a franchise chain
which extends to 37 stores in 11 countries.

Samas Universal Office Supplies (36%)

Samas Universal Office Supplies BV was formed in 1996
from the merger of the office supplies businesses of the
Menzies Group and Samas-Groep. It is Europe’s third largest
supplier of office stationery and equipment and operates
from bases in The Netherlands, Germany and the UK.

John Menzies plc

8

Menzies Group

John Menzies Wholesale
The only business involved in the distribution and marketing of news and
magazines operating throughout Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

Jones Yarrell
Jones Yarrell specialises in the delivery of news and magazines direct to
businesses from branches in London, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Leeds.

Connect
Connect provides an inter-terminal passenger and baggage transfer
service at Heathrow airport.

THE
A leading independent wholesaler of music, video and multimedia product
for the home entertainment market and a major wholesaler of books.

Concorde Express
Based at Heathrow and now with operations at Birmingham and
Manchester airports, Concorde Express are specialists in the provision of
cargo handling, air and landside trucking and contract labour services to
the airline industry.

AMI
The UK’s market leader in wholesale air cargo services, providing a
comprehensive international network for independent freight
forwarders and couriers from its base at Gatwick.

Execair Aviation Services
Based in Scotland, Execair is an executive aircraft handling and fuelling
company operating at four UK airports. Through its subsidiary Express
Handling it also provides a cargo handling service at Edinburgh airport.

Menzies Security Services
Formed in May 1999 Menzies Security Services provides quality security
services to the air transport industry.

GlobeGround
GlobeGround is a venture between Menzies Transport Services and
GlobeGround GmbH, the worldwide ground handling subsidiary of
Lufthansa which provides ground handling services at several UK airports.

London Cargo Centre
London Cargo Centre is a 50/50 venture between Menzies Transport
Services and GlobeGround GmbH. It handles cargo for Lufthansa and
several other airlines at Heathrow.

Menzies Group

9

Menzies Distribution

The Group’s distribution businesses provide customers with a
fast, efficient service which meets their product and service
needs. John Menzies Wholesale is a major distributor of
newspapers and magazines serving the UK news market. THE is
a leading independent wholesaler of music, video and multimedia
product for the home entertainment market and one of the UK’s
largest wholesalers of books.

JOHN MENZIES WHOLESALE

John Menzies Wholesale is dedicated to moving huge quantities
of product in a large number of small transactions quickly and at
minimum cost. Its ability to add value to this process secures its
leading position in the market, and contributes to its objective of
meeting customer needs whilst managing publisher aspirations.

The sheer volume of “paper” handled by the division

underlines its skill: distributing a perishable commodity from
competing suppliers to over 21,500 customers within a few
hours. Over six million items, whether newspapers, magazines or
periodicals, are handled every day – including Sundays – through
its network of 32 branches, 11 newspaper handling satellites and
three units devoted mainly to the processing of unsold copies.
This massive volume is backed by investment in systems for

processing the information which adds value for customers,
whether retailer or publisher, to ensure that deliveries are
effectively targeted. For instance, in the computer magazine
market, which recorded a 53 per cent increase in sales last year,
the division’s ability to analyse quickly the sales patterns
throughout the UK for each of the 120-plus titles involved, and
to adjust deliveries in response, enables it to contribute
significantly to the matching of supply with demand.

The growth of the multiples in customers’ shopping

preferences, including supermarkets, means that 40 per cent
of sales are now achieved through this sector, providing an
opportunity for publishers to extend their brands and make the
most of the consumer’s penchant for buying magazines on
impulse. The analysis provided by John Menzies Wholesale’s
unique space planning and range management service enables
it to create a display tailored to a retailer’s customer profile. 

10

Menzies Group

John Menzies Wholesale’s commitment 
to adding value in the supply of news 
and magazines extends to offering 
training to retail customers as well as 
its own staff.

This allows improved matching of supply to demand, thereby
maximising the retailer’s potential to achieve sales through
impulse and multiple purchases. Over 85 per cent of multiples,
UK-wide, now use this service.

As well as information systems the division is also investing
heavily in process management and control systems. Through
the use of sophisticated tools these systems enable it to analyse,
understand and control costs at all levels, achieving additional
efficiency.

THE

The role of the wholesaler in the music, video and books market
is one of continual balance between range and fulfilment rates.
This is backed by effective IT systems, recent developments in
which have enabled THE to optimise its range and stockholding
whilst maintaining high levels of efficiency in support of
retailers, small and large alike.

THE’s business is centred on its overnight delivery service –
orders taken by 6pm will be delivered next day, with 95 per cent
target fulfilment. Many of its 8,500 customers order electronically.
Quick and cost-effective handling of orders is key to the
division’s profitability, and will be enhanced in September 1999
as investments in automatic conveyor and packing systems in its
distribution centre become operational.

The division’s market is ever changing, with music and other
lines influenced by film and TV successes. THE captured over
12 per cent of the video sales of the film Titanic, and Delia Smith’s
How to Cook TV series generated significant sales of the book.
Support for the independent retailer is offered through THE’s
“Bookshop Connection”, which provides added benefits such as
point-of-sale material, carrier bags and shopfitting services.

John Menzies Wholesale distributes over six million newspapers and magazines
every day, 364 days a year. Continual investment in branch infrastructure ensures
that they retain their leading position in this fast moving, high volume business.

The success of the Titanic compilation
underlines THE’s unique position as a 
“one-stop-shop” for all forms of home
entertainment, able to fulfil its customers
audio, video and books needs.

Menzies Group

11

Menzies Transport Services

Menzies Transport Services is now a major force in airport
services. It is the largest handler of air cargo in the UK after
British Airways, and is using this base to expand its range of
airport ground handling operations.

The expansion of Menzies Transport Services accelerated in
1997, when Concorde Express opened its new air cargo transit
shed at Heathrow with the capacity to handle over 40,000 tonnes
of air cargo per annum. In July 1998 MTS took another
significant step forward when its partnership with Lufthansa
began operations as the London Cargo Centre, adding a
further 130,000 tonnes of capacity, and establishing close links
between MTS and Lufthansa. Although this partnership brings
to MTS the recognition of a close connection with the Star
airline alliance, it in no way restricts its ability – and success – in
attracting business from airlines whether unaligned or within
other alliances.

MTS’ profile has been further enhanced by the acquisition, in
June 1999, of the air cargo handling business of BOC, effectively
doubling MTS’ existing cargo handling capacity and adding to its
business at other UK airports. This activity provides the
underlying foundation for MTS’ expansion into other ground
handling activities, and leaves it well-placed to benefit from the
continuing deregulation of airport services now occurring
throughout the European Union.

Over the past 12 months MTS has also expanded rapidly

outside Heathrow. In November 1998 it extended its partnership
with Lufthansa’s ground handling business, GlobeGround, into

Manchester airport, where it provides passenger and ramp-
handling services covering over 1.1m passengers per year. A full
passenger and ramp handling service was also launched at
Stansted airport in May 1999. In March 1999 it purchased the
specialist executive aircraft handler Execair Aviation Services.
From its bases at Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham and
Aberdeen airports Execair offers significant scope for MTS to
expand its range of services and its presence at UK airports.
In May 1999 several additional activities were launched,

including a five year contract to provide a passenger and baggage
transfer service within Heathrow. Under the trading name
Connect, MTS operates the fleet of coaches and vans needed to
transfer efficiently some three million passengers and their
baggage between the airport’s four terminals within strict pre-set
time limits. At the same time Menzies Security Services started
operations to provide a comprehensive security package.
In addition to these services, MTS is the UK’s leading

international air cargo wholesaler through its subsidiary AMI. 
Its core activity is the consolidation of cargo space in aircraft
operating out of the UK, and filling this through 30,000
bookings per month from over 1,700 customers. AMI Quality
Express ensures fast delivery of the smaller packages to the
recipient in over 900 destinations worldwide.

Menzies Transport Services’ partnership with Lufthansa is opening new doors in
cargo handling, where MTS is now the UK’s largest independent air cargo handler
covering 60,000 flights and 320,000 tonnes of cargo annually.

The acquisition of executive aircraft handler
Execair has significantly expanded Menzies
Transport Services’ range of airport services.
MTS now operates at eight UK airports,
employing 1,400 staff.

Menzies Group

13

THE Games

THE Games, the exclusive distributor of Nintendo product in
the UK and Republic of Ireland, is a major player in the video
games business. It has responsibility for all aspects of
Nintendo’s sales including marketing, distribution and
customer support.

Effective stock management and the efficient distribution of product during the
peak Christmas season are key to THE Games’ success.

The video games business still retains the excitement of a
developing market. Initially targeted at 8-15 year olds, mainly
boys, the market has since expanded to include enthusiasts up to
35, with a core in the financially independent 16-24 age range.
Their demands have kept pace with the ability of programmers
to understand and extract more from computer technology,
resulting in overall market growth far exceeding the expectations
of the participants in this field.

THE Games’ principal product is the N64, which has sold
over 1.3 million console units, representing a 23 per cent market
share, and five million games since its launch in March 1997.
Software support for the N64 was initially restricted due to the
exacting quality standards set by Nintendo, but developers have
now adapted to this, providing most of the 70 new titles launched
in the past year.

Nintendo’s other main product is the Game Boy, which

dominates its market sector. Continued investment by Nintendo
over the last ten years, combined with the launch of the colour
Game Boy during 1998, have extended its life well beyond
market expectations. Recent developments are expected to
produce further sales growth. Pokemon has proved a huge
success in the USA since its launch in September 1998,
supported by a successful TV cartoon series. In the UK this
series is currently being broadcast on SkyOne in advance of
Pokemon’s UK launch in Autumn 1999.

14

Menzies Group

After nine years Game Boy remains a best seller
in the UK. Following the launch of the new
colour version more than 700,000 consoles
were sold in 1998 – a new record.

Early Learning Centre

With 220 shops across the UK and Ireland, and a presence in
220 Sainsbury stores, Early Learning Centre is the UK’s
leading retailer of quality learning toys. Its brand remains one
of the best known in the High Street.

Clear product differentiation and the creation of an environment in which children are
encouraged to play are central to ELC’s new store designs.

Forty-five million visits were made to Early Learning Centre
stores last year.

The significant change made to ELC’s range, resulting from a

combination of innovation and customer feedback, has fed its
increase in market share. Sales of toys which lead the child into,
or make use of, computer-based technology are running at over
50 per cent up on last year. ELC sold more Furbies, the cult toy
of 1998, than any other UK retailer. And at a higher price-point,
it has now sold over 20,000 Barneys, the interactive learning toy
retailed at £100 each.

These changes have not been made at the expense of ELC’s
focus on quality, safety, and the early development of the child.
The business continues to feature well in awards for Best Toy
Retailer (Rightstart, BBC Toybox) and for individual product
awards. ELC’s store at the Bluewater shopping centre in Kent,
opened in May 1999, sets a new standard in layout and customer
service for the business.

Key to the new layouts being developed for ELC’s stores is the

clear definition of categories. Colour is used to reinforce this,
supported by “pods” in which the product is displayed out of its
box for adults and children to play with. Play is further
encouraged through the environment and by the staff.

Significant investment in product development continues to be

an important element in ELC’s brand strength, both in the UK
and internationally. Toys are a worldwide product, enabling the
business to expand and to benefit from its chain of 37 franchises
in 11 countries.

Equally important is the development of the business infrastructure

to support the sales effort in the most cost-effective manner. Mail
order sales are fast outgrowing the capacity of its support function,
and this will be relocated to bigger and better premises during the
course of the year to maximise returns from this key activity.

Early Learning Centre is the No. 1 retailer of
Furby, accounting for over 30 per cent of its 
UK sales at Christmas 1998.

Menzies Group

15

Financial Review

“Close control over cash management remains a key priority.
We are well positioned to take advantage of suitable
investment opportunities.”

will be included in the 1999/00 accounts.

Goodwill previously written off to reserves has not been re-

instated in the balance sheet as permitted under FRS 10
transitional arrangements. The Group has £76.4m of goodwill to
which this treatment applies.

Division
John Menzies Wholesale
THE
Menzies Transport Services
Samas Universal Office Supplies
Early Learning Centre

Goodwill (£m)
17.4
12.5
13.2
24.8
8.5
76.4

On a disposal, any goodwill to which these transitional

arrangements have been applied would require to be reflected in
that year’s profit and loss account.

Net capital expenditure in the year at £17.6m was down from
£19.3m last year. This reflects the changing strategic direction in
the Group towards less capital intensive distribution activities.
Acquisitions in Menzies Transport Services have been essentially
revenue driven.

CASH MANAGEMENT, WORKING CAPITAL AND INTEREST

Close monitoring of divisional performance throughout the year
has been instrumental in ensuring that cash remains tightly
controlled in all divisions.

Net interest payable at £2.2m, down from £5.1m represents a

decrease in the year of 56.9 per cent. The following table
outlines the main components of this charge.

ACCOUNTING POLICIES

The requirements of six new accounting standards have been
incorporated, where applicable, into the Group Accounts this
year (Financial Reporting Standards 9 through to 14). In
addition, the recommendations of the Urgent Issues Task Force
have been adopted in disclosure of Year 2000 (UITF 20) and the
Euro (UITF 21) issues. The impact of these changes is covered
in the notes on accounts, with prior year re-statements also
applied as necessary.

INVESTMENTS AND CAPITAL EXPENDITURE

FRS 10, Goodwill and Intangible Assets, requires goodwill paid on
acquisitions to be carried as an asset on the balance sheet and
written off over the life of the asset. This disallows the previous
general practice of immediately writing off goodwill to reserves.
During 1998/99 £3.8m goodwill relating to the acquisition of
Sigma Aviation (now GlobeGround Manchester) and Execair
Aviation Services has been included on the balance sheet. Since
the year end the purchase of BOC Air Cargo Services has been
announced for £4.9m. Goodwill of circa £2.2m relating to this

16

Menzies Group

Bond interest 
Bank interest 
Hedge costs 
Interest on leases

1998/99
£m
(2.6)
0.9
(0.3)
(0.2)
(2.2)

1997/98
£m
(0.7)
(3.9)
(0.3)
(0.2)
(5.1)

Whilst the prevailing rate of interest has fallen steadily
throughout 1998/99, an element of the bond interest charge
reflects the cost of prudence on the part of the Group in
restructuring its debt profile away from asset backed covenants.
The £0.9m interest credit is largely the result of reduced bank
borrowings following the receipt of disposal proceeds from John
Menzies Retail and Smythson of Bond Street.

Interest cover improved to 14.0 times (1998: 7.7 times).
The Group’s debt has moved from a £45.9m borrowed
position to £0.6m in funds, with gearing on the balance sheet
decreased from 53 per cent to an ungeared position. This gives
strong support for acquisitions and capital investment, which
totalled £35.2m in the year, including deferred elements of £8.1m.

TREASURY OPERATIONS

The main financial instrument risks faced by the Group are funding,
interest rate and foreign exchange exposures. The Board has agreed
policies for each of these risks, which are managed, on a day-to-day
basis, by the Group Treasury function. The purpose of these policies
is to ensure that adequate funds are available to the Group at all times
and that risks arising from the Group’s operating and investment
activities are carefully managed. Transactions of a speculative nature
are not permitted. Treasury activities are subject to periodic
independent review by treasury consultants. Full disclosure, in
accordance with FRS 13 Derivatives and Other Financial
Instruments, is included in Note 18 to the Group Accounts.

TAXATION

The exceptional item included in this year’s Group Accounts (for
THE) relates to a stock reduction and therefore attracts full tax
relief. This is in contrast with the exceptional items posted last year
which were largely capital asset disposals and write offs and
therefore attracted minimal relief. Overall the Group has an
effective tax rate of 29 per cent, marginally below the standard rate.

PENSIONS

Our staff enjoy membership of a first class pension scheme. 
Aon Consulting were appointed consultants to the Pension Fund
during the year. Aon produced an updated actuarial valuation,
based on the existing market related assumptions, at 31st March
1999. This revealed an increase in surplus of £7.7m to £62.6m.
Under accounting standard SSAP No.24 the Group’s profit and
loss account is credited with £7.6m, turning the regular cost of
£3.6m into a credit of £4.0m. This is added to the prepayment
balance carried on the balance sheet.

The pension fund is a contributory scheme with the company

guaranteeing the benefits to members. The surplus of £62.6m
represents a prepayment of the company’s future costs. At 
1st May 1999 £31.7m of this prepayment is recognised in the
Group’s accounts and £30.9m is accounted for outside the
balance sheet and transferred to the profit and loss account over
the future years of service of the membership.

EXCEPTIONAL ITEMS

An operating exceptional charge of £14.9m was made in the year
related to the restructuring at THE. This mainly comprised
write down of stocks. A further operating exceptional charge of
£0.7m arose on exit costs from certain interest hedge
arrangements. A gain of £0.4m was made on the disposal of
Smythson of Bond Street.

ABORTIVE TRANSACTION COSTS

The Group’s focus on distribution and exit from retailing mean
that there are a number of opportunities explored which do not
come to fruition and incur abortive revenue costs. These are
contained within the overall trading performance of the Group,
and for 1998/99 are estimated at £0.7m.

MILLENNIUM AND EUROPEAN MONETARY UNION

The Group’s progress in addressing these two areas is fully
covered within the Directors’ Report to the Group Accounts.

James Bennett
Group Financial Director

Menzies Group

17

Summary Group Profit and Loss Account

Before
exceptional
items
£m

1999

Exceptional
items 
£m

Before
exceptional
items 
£m

Total
£m

1998

Exceptional
items 
£m

1,134.5
146.3
1,280.8
(5.2)
3.7
1,279.3

–
–
–
–
–
–

1,134.5
146.3
1,280.8
(5.2)
3.7
1,279.3

1,105.3
150.9
1,256.2
–
286.8
1,543.0

29.5

(14.9)

14.6

36.8

0.2
5.1
34.8
(4.0)
–
30.8
(2.2)
28.6
(8.9)

–
–
(14.9)
–
0.4
(14.5)
(0.7)
(15.2)
5.0

0.2
5.1
19.9
(4.0)
0.4
16.3
(2.9)
13.4
(3.9)

–
4.3
41.1
(6.7)
4.7
39.1
(5.1)
34.0
(9.7)

–
–
–
–
–
–

–

–
–
–
(10.9)
(51.7)
(62.6)
–
(62.6)
(0.1)

Total
£m

1,105.3
150.9
1,256.2
–
286.8
1,543.0

36.8

–
4.3
41.1
(17.6)
(47.0)
(23.5)
(5.1)
(28.6)
(9.8)

19.7

(10.2)

9.5

24.3

(62.7)

(38.4)

£1.8m
£8.8m

15.8p
13.7p

40.0p

2.6
7.7

31.8p

2.0
14.0

£1.8m
£8.5m

15.2p
(71.4p)

TURNOVER

Distribution Services
Retailing

Less: share of Joint Venture
Discontinued operations

OPERATING PROFIT

Distribution Services
Share of :

Joint Venture – London Cargo Centre
Associate – SUOS

Retailing
Discontinued operations
Profit/(loss) before interest

Interest
Profit/(loss) before taxation

Taxation
Profit/(loss) attributable
to shareholders

DIVIDENDS

Preference
Ordinary

PER ORDINARY SHARE

Dividend
Earnings

COVER (times)

Dividend
Interest

18

Menzies Group

Summary Group Balance Sheet

FIXED ASSETS

Intangible
Tangible
Investments

CURRENT ASSETS

Stocks
Debtors – due within one year

– due outwith one year

Net cash/(borrowings)
Creditors: amounts due within one year
Net current assets
Total assets less current liabilities

Creditors: amounts due after one year – borrowings
Provisions for liabilities and charges
Net assets

CAPITAL AND RESERVES

Share capital – ordinary

– preference

Reserves
Shareholders’ funds

1999
£m

3.8
79.2
16.3
99.3

80.2
82.3
35.2
36.0
(191.2)
42.5
141.8
(35.4)
(18.4)
88.0

14.1
21.4
52.5
88.0

1998
£m

–
77.0
8.6
85.6

82.7
161.2
31.2
(9.9)
(209.2)
56.0
141.6
(36.0)
(18.3)
87.3

14.1
21.4
51.8
87.3

Approved by the Board of Directors on 5th July 1999 and signed on its behalf by Gavin Reed and James Bennett.

Capital employed per ordinary share
Gearing

Movement in Shareholders’ Funds

Profit/(loss) attributable to shareholders

Dividends
Goodwill previously written off to reserves
New share capital subscribed
Other
Net increase to shareholders’ funds
Shareholders’ funds at beginning of year
Shareholders’ funds at end of year

118.1p
Nil

117.1p
52.6%

1999
£m

9.5
(10.6)
–
0.5
1.3
0.7
87.3
88.0

1998
£m

(38.4)
(10.3)
52.0
–
(0.1)
3.2
84.1
87.3

Menzies Group

19

£m

1999
£m

1998
£m

15.9
13.5
(7.2)
(1.9)
20.3
0.3
0.5
70.6

91.7

30.7
17.6

7.5
12.2
7.9

75.9
15.8
30.7
–
46.5
(45.9)
0.6

28.2
19.2
(21.4)
5.9
31.9
(0.4)
–
–

31.5

(3.6)
19.3
–
–
13.8
8.3

37.8
(6.3)
(8.9)
5.3
(9.9)
(36.0)
(45.9)

15.6
(8.1)

Summary Group Cash Flow Statement

INFLOWS

Operating profit before interest
Depreciation
Movements in working capital
Other items
Cash from operations
Loans to share trusts repaid/(increased)
Proceeds from share issues
Cash inflow from disposals

OUTFLOWS

Repayment of/(inflow from) financing
Capital expenditure (net)
Investment and acquisitions
Less: Deferred payments
Interest and dividends paid
Tax paid

Net cash inflow/(outflow)

Decrease/(increase) in bank loans and finance debt
Loan notes repaid
Movement in net debt in the year
Opening net debt
Closing net balance in funds/(debt)

20

Menzies Group

Summary Directors’ Report

The directors present this Summary Directors’ Report and
Financial Statement for the year ended 1st May 1999. It is a
summary of the information contained in the Group Accounts. 
This Summary Financial Statement does not contain sufficient
information to allow for a full understanding of the results and state of
affairs of the company and the Group. For further details the Group
Accounts, which includes the directors’ report and the auditors’ report
on the financial statements, should be consulted. Copies are available
free of charge on request from the Company Secretary.

PRINCIPAL ACTIVITIES

The principal activities of the Group, including details on trading
over the period and future prospects, are contained in the Chairman’s
Statement, Chief Executive’s Review and Business Review on pages 2
to 15. The Financial Review on pages 16 and 17 comments on the
Group’s financial position including post-balance sheet events.

DIVIDEND

The directors recommend a final dividend of 11.0p (1998: 10.4p)
per ordinary share to be paid on 29th October 1999 to shareholders
on the register at the close of business on 8th October 1999.
That dividend together with the interim dividend of 4.8p (1998:
4.8p) paid on 8th April 1999, will make a total distribution on the
ordinary shares for the year of 15.8p (1998: 15.2p).

relinquished his executive duties with effect from 30th April
1999. Mr M R Smith was appointed Group Finance Director on
5th July 1999. All the other directors held office throughout the
year. Mr J D S Bennett will retire as a director on 31st July 1999.

CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

The Board supports the Principles of Good Governance
contained in the Combined Code published in July 1998. 
Details of how the Group has applied these principles are
contained in the Group Accounts.

DONATIONS

During the year donations totalling £172,107 to various
charitable, community and arts organisations were made by the
Group. In addition Early Learning Centre supported Save The
Children Fund by the donation in October 1998 of £104,330
raised through product sales and in-store collections.

AUDITORS

The report of the auditors, PricewaterhouseCoopers, on the
annual accounts of the Group for the year ended 1st May 1999
was unqualified and did not contain a statement under either
sections 237(2) or 237(3) of the Companies Act 1985.

DIRECTORS

The names of the directors at the date of this report, together
with biographical details, are listed on page 3.

On 7th November 1998 The Hon F R Noel-Paton retired as

Deputy Chairman of the company. Mr D J Jenkinson

Adair Anderson
Secretary
5th July 1999

By order of the Board

Statement by the Auditors
to the members of John Menzies plc

We have examined the Summary Financial Statement set out on
pages 18 to 21.

RESPECTIVE RESPONSIBILITIES OF DIRECTORS AND
AUDITORS

The Summary Financial Statement is the responsibility of the
directors. Our responsibility is to report to you our opinion on
its preparation and consistency with the Group Accounts and
Directors’ Report.

BASIS OF OPINION

We conducted our work in accordance with Auditing Guideline
The Auditors’ Statement on the Summary Financial Statement
adopted by the Auditing Practices Board.

OPINION

In our opinion the Summary Financial Statement is consistent
with the Group Accounts and the Directors’ Report of John
Menzies plc for the year ended 1st May 1999 and complies with
the requirements of Section 251 of the Companies Act 1985, and
the regulations made thereunder.

PricewaterhouseCoopers

Chartered Accountants and Registered Auditors
Edinburgh
5th July 1999

Menzies Group

21

Summary Report on Directors’ Remuneration

REMUNERATION COMMITTEE
The Remuneration Committee deals with the remuneration of
the executive directors on behalf of the Board and shareholders.
It has a formal written constitution and comprises five non-executive
directors under the chairmanship of Mr G B Reed. In addition, the
Chief Executive, together with the Director of Group Personnel
who is not a member of the Board, attend meetings as appropriate.
The Company Secretary is secretary of the Committee.

REMUNERATION POLICY
The Group recognises that its continuing success depends on the
quality and motivation of its employees. The policies followed by
the Group aim to ensure that its remuneration practices are
competitive, thereby enabling it to attract, retain and motivate
executives who are expected to perform at the highest levels.
These practices are reviewed each year to ensure that they
support the Group’s business objectives and the creation of
shareholder value.  

DIRECTORS’ REMUNERATION
Details of each director’s remuneration including share options
held and their shareholdings are set out in the table below.

SERVICE CONTRACTS
Each of the executive directors has a service contract with the
company. In May 1996 all directors’ service contracts were
changed to provide for two instead of three years’ notice. This
change included a transitional provision which provided for a
payment to be made to the directors whose contracts were
affected of two years’ salary and benefits on any termination of

their contract by the company before May 2001. This
transitional provision applied to The Hon F R Noel-Paton,
Mr D J Mackay, Mr J D S Bennett and Mr D J Jenkinson.

Mr I M Callaghan has a service contract which is terminable

by the company on two years’ notice.

The Hon F R Noel-Paton retired on 7th November 1998. 
A payment of £100,000 was made to him on retirement as a result
of variations to arrangements made when he stepped down as
Group Managing Director and was appointed Deputy Chairman
in 1997. In addition, he purchased his company car at its net
book value of £10,500. 

Mr D J Jenkinson relinquished his executive responsibilities
on 30th April 1999, and will continue as a non-executive director
with additional roles involving consulting fees of up to £80,000
in 1999/00 and £20,000 in 2000/01. 

Mr J D S Bennett will retire on 31st July 1999 on the grounds
of ill health. Mr M R Smith, who joined the Group on 5th July
1999, has entered into a service contract which is terminable by
the company on two years’ notice if terminated before July 2000,
reducing thereafter to one year’s notice.

In addition to the above cash payments, the pension

entitlements of each of the above directors who ceased office
during the year have been increased within Inland Revenue
limits as disclosed in the table below.

PENSIONS
The executive directors are members of the Menzies Pension
Fund, a contributory scheme which provides pension on
retirement at age 60 of up to two thirds of pensionable earnings.

DIRECTORS’ EMOLUMENTS

Remuneration

G B Reed
D J Mackay
J D S Bennett
D J Jenkinson

W R E Thomson
I C L Harrison

C A Ramsay

M J Walker
I M Callaghan
F R Noel-Paton (2)

Salary/fees
& benefits £’000
90
277
189
190

Bonus
£’000
–
–
45(1)
–

Total 1999
£’000
90
277
234
190

Total 1998
£’000
66
448
237
212

28
20

20

20
199
201

–
–

–

–
–
–

28
20

20

20
199
201

1,279

24
19

19

19
274
177

1,495

Share options

Granted
in year
–
2,310 (3)
2,310 (3)
–

Total at
1st May 1999
–
205,310
136,310
134,000

–
–

–

–
–

–

–
2,310 (3)
–

–
132,610
N/a

Shareholding
at
1st May 1999
8,650
14,728
13,182
3,013,706
2,640,539 (4)
5,508,360(5)
2,000
2,786,832
2,640,539(4)

100,350(5)(6)

2,026,151

514,303(5)
1,000
6,884
N/a

(1) A special bonus of £45,000 was awarded during the year to Mr J D S Bennett in

relation to the achievement of certain key operational targets.

(2) The Hon F R Noel-Paton retired from the Board on 7th November 1998.
(3) Options issued under the John Menzies savings related share option scheme.

(4) Joint beneficial interest.
(5) Non-beneficial interest.
(6) On 2nd June 1999 the non-beneficial holding of Mr I C L Harrison was reduced by

18,000 shares.

22

Menzies Group

Shareholder Information

ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING

PAYMENT OF DIVIDENDS

The Annual General Meeting will be held at 12.15pm on Friday
3rd September 1999 at the Adam Suite, George Hotel, 21 George
Street, Edinburgh. A circular containing the Notice of Meeting
has been sent to all shareholders, together with a proxy card.

It is in the interest of the shareholder and the company for
dividends to be paid directly into bank or building society
accounts. Any shareholder who wishes to receive dividends in
this way should contact the company’s Registrar to obtain a
dividend mandate form.

INTERNET

The Group operates a website which is regularly updated to
provide information about the company and each division.
Copies of the Group’s accounts together with recent
announcements may also be found on this website. The address
of the site is www.john-menzies.co.uk

SHARE PRICE

The price of John Menzies ordinary shares can be obtained from
the company’s website and on FT Cityline by dialling 0891 433
339  (calls cost 50p per minute).  

LOW COST DEALING

Dividends are paid as follows:

Ordinary shares - interim
Ordinary shares - final
9% Preference shares
8.58% Preference shares

early April
end October
1st April and 1st October
20th June and 20th December

SHAREHOLDER ANALYSIS

At 6th July 1999

Directors 

Substantial shareholders:

D C Thomson & Co. Ltd

The company has arranged a low cost dealing service for those
who wish to buy or sell John Menzies shares. For further details
please telephone 0345 334 488 or write to:

Mr J M Menzies

Mrs K P Slater

Mr D F Ramsay

John Menzies Share Dealing Service
Stocktrade
PO Box 1076
10 George Street
Edinburgh
EH2 2PZ

Phillips & Drew Life Ltd

Mrs S J Speke

Legal & General Investment

Management Ltd

Institutional and corporate holdings

Individuals

Employee benefit trusts

Total

Ordinary shares
Number

10,513,672

4,990,000

4,929,000

2,645,552

2,639,878

2,571,111

2,449,920

1,750,253

18,318,674

4,608,790

971,516

56,388,366

%

18.65

8.85

8.74

4.69

4.68

4.56

4.34

3.10

32.49

8.18

1.72

100

REGISTRARS

Any enquiries concerning shareholdings in the company should
be addressed to the company’s Registrars:

INVESTOR RELATIONS

For further copies of the Annual Review, the Group Accounts or
other investor enquiries, please contact:

IRG plc
Bourne House
34 Beckenham Road
Beckenham
Kent
BR3 4TU
Tel: 0208 639 2000

The Registrar should also be notified promptly of any change in
a shareholder’s address.

Adair Anderson, Company Secretary
John Menzies plc
Executive Offices
108 Princes Street
Edinburgh
EH2 3AA
Tel:  0131 225 8555
Fax: 0131 226 3752
E-mail: Cosec@menzies.force9.co.uk

Menzies Group

23

Five Year Summary

Year to April

TURNOVER

Continuing operations

Discontinued operations

OPERATING PROFIT

Continuing operations

Discontinued operations

PROFIT BEFORE INTEREST

Interest payable

PROFIT BEFORE TAXATION

SHAREHOLDERS’ FUNDS

PER ORDINARY SHARE:

Earnings after tax

Dividends per ordinary share

Dividend cover (times)

Capital employed

1999*
£m

1998*
£m

1997
£m

1996†
£m

1995
£m

1,275.6

1,256.2

1,130.1

1,121.0

3.7

286.8

287.3

292.4

975.3

282.7

1,279.3

1,543.0

1,417.4

1,413.4

1,258.0

30.8

–

30.8

(2.2)

28.6

34.4

4.7

39.1

(5.1)

34.0

35.4

(0.1)

35.3

(4.7)

30.6

35.8

3.0

38.8

(2.9)

35.9

39.1

(0.4)

38.7

(0.6)

38.1

88.0

87.3

84.1

81.4

91.3

31.8p

15.8p

2.0

40.0p

15.2p

2.6

33.6p

13.8p

2.4

40.1p

13.8p

2.9

44.6p

13.2p

3.4

118.1p

117.1p

111.4p

106.1p

125.3p

* Profits and calculations shown before exceptional items of £15.2m (1998: £62.6m)

† 53 week year

Note: Discontinued operations contain the results of Smythson of Bond Street (discontinued in 1999) and John Menzies Retail and Funsoft (discontinued in 1998).

24

Menzies Group

Designed and produced by Smithfield Design, London

Main photography by John Wildgoose

Cover photograph by Donald Clements

Printed by J. Thomson Colour Printers Ltd., Glasgow