1997 - 1999
1997
JANUARY
David Mackay appointed as Group Managing Director (and as Chief Executive from 5th Sept 1997).
MARCH
The Nintendo 64, the world's fastest and most powerful games system, is launched in the UK and Ireland by THE Games and quickly becomes the fastest ever selling video games console.
SEPTEMBER
John Menzies and Brian Lascelles retire as Chairman and Deputy Chairman respectively. Gavin Reed appointed as Chairman.
DECEMBER
John Menzies plc reclassified as a "Distributor" from "Retailers" in the FTSE Actuaries index.
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1998
JANUARY
Early Learning Centre withdraws from Nursery & Childrenswear to focus on its core toy business.
FEBRUARY
Concorde Express awarded a major cargo handling contact by the Scandinavian airline SAS.
MARCH
The Group sells the John Menzies Retail chain to WHSmith for £68m.
JULY
The Group acquire's a 50% interest in London Cargo Centre, a joint venture with Lufthansa Airport & Ground Services.
NOVEMBER
Menzies Transport Services expands its operation's to Manchester Airport following its acquisition of a 49% interest in airport services operator Sigma Aviation (now called GlobeGround Manchester).
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1999
FEBRUARY
Concorde Express, a division of Menzies Transport Services, wins the contract to provide passenger and baggage transfer services at Heathrow Airport from May 1999, handling over 3 million passengers and 6.5 million bags annually. The service is called Connect.
MARCH
Martyn Smith, at the time Group Financial Controller, to be appointed Group Finance Director with effect from 5 July 1999.
Menzies Transport Services acquires the Scottish based executive aircraft and cargo handling company Execair.
JUNE
Menzies Transport Services acquires BOC's UK air cargo handling operations for £4.9m, and its Australian air cargo handling operations for £2.1m.
JULY
Menzies Transport Services completes purchase of BOC Cargo Services from The BOC Group Plc.
DECEMBER
Peter Smith, Chief Executive of Menzies Transport Services, is appointed as an executive director of John Menzies plc with effect from 3rd December 1999.