Logistics group John Menzies plc has strengthened its South African operations through the acquisition of an airfreight operator in Johannesburg and Cape Town as part of its expansion plans.

Logistics group John Menzies plc has strengthened its South African operations through the acquisition of an airfreight operator in Johannesburg and Cape Town as part of its expansion plans.

The Edinburgh-based company has added MMA Consolidators to its trade-only airfreight wholesaling business, Menzies Aviation. The acquired business, which operates in Africa, the US, Europe and the UK, has been Menzies’ South African service partner for the past two years.

The vendors’ legal adviser was Deborah Dees, a senior associate at Bowman Gilfillan, who was introduced to the deal by Menzies’ counsel, Deneys Reitz.

Dees said the good working relationship between the acquirer and the vendors helped the deal run smoothly. “This was fortuitous given the acquirer’s timescale for closure.”