Major Contract Wins

RNS Number : 3396P

Smiths News PLC

24 March 2009

 

Smiths News PLC

('Smiths News' or 'the Group')

Major Contract Wins

Smiths News, the UK's leading wholesaler of newspapers and magazines, is pleased to announce it has successfully negotiated new five year contracts with newspaper publisher Associated Newspapers Ltd and magazine distributor COMAG. These contracts have a combined wholesale sales value of circa £350m per annum.  

The new contract with Associated Newspapers will be effective from November 2010 and will generate an annualised increase in sales revenue of circa £65m.

The new contract with COMAG will be effective from January 2011 and will generate an annualised increase in sales revenue of circa £35m.  

Mark Cashmore, Chief Executive of Smiths News commented:

'Today's announcement is another endorsement of our market leading offering and demonstrates the value that Smiths News brings to our publisher and retailer customers. I am in no doubt that our determination to deliver the best service and the most efficient route to market is central to our recent new business momentum.

This additional volume into our network will allow us to bring sustainable benefits to all parties throughout the supply chain.'

Enquiries:

Smiths News Mark Cashmore, Chief Executive	Tel: [phone]
Alan Humphrey, Finance Director
Buchanan Communications Tim Thompson	Tel: [phone]
Jeremy Garcia

About Smiths News:

Smiths News is the UK's leading wholesaler of newspapers and magazines. The Group was formed on 1 September 2006 following the demerger of WH Smith PLC.

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 23,000 customers across England and Wales, supplying large general retailers as well as smaller independent newsagents.

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.

Smiths News has an approximate 40 per cent share of the magazine wholesaling sector and an approximate 35 per cent share of the newspaper wholesaling sector in the UK.

Smiths News has 44 distribution centres across England and Wales, employing 4,000 staff.

 

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