Columbia University Press announced that they will close their warehouse in Irvington, NY this summer, eliminating approximately 25 positions as a result. President and director Jim Jordan says, “Any decision involving job loss is difficult, especially when dedicated staff have served the Press professionally and well for many years. Nevertheless, this is the right direction for the Press, its clients, and authors.” Perseus Distribution will take over fulfillment of the Press’s book. The announcement notes the “restructuring is part of an overall effort to improve print economics while facilitating electronic delivery,” in part through the network of services and partners […]
Distribution
HBG's Canada Operation to Take On Hachette UK Titles
As of the beginning of 2010, Hachette Book Group will expand its Canadian sales and distribution, launched this year, to handle titles from Hachette UK in Canada. (Sales are actually handled out of New York, where a dedicated sales person will be added, and fulfilled through the company’s warehouse in Indiana.) Publicity and marketing for the UK titles will be handled by HBG Canada, with a new dedicated marketeer and publicist to be hired in Toronto. Most Hachette UK titles are currently represented to the Canadian trade and media by McArthur & Co., with distribution by Harper Canada, though Little […]
Experiment Launches, People, and More
Matthew Lore has announced the launch of The Experiment, a nonfiction trade publisher launching this fall and backed by Richard Gallen, focused on health, nutrition, fitness, psychology, relationships, self-help, parenting, sexuality, science, and the environment. Lore, who previously oversaw Marlowe & Company and then was executive editor at Da Capo Press/Lifelong after Avalon was sold to Perseus, says “we’re called The Experiment because every book is a test of new ideas and because the curiosity and clear-headed thinking that characterize scientific experimentation are more crucial in publishing now than ever before.” PGW will distribute the line, which starts with six […]
Baker & Taylor On "Bottom Rung" List
Baker & Taylor ranked on Moody’s Investor’s inaugural “Bottom Rung” list of companies considered at the greatest risk of default or bankruptcy after the B&T’s default rating was lowered last month to B3, with a negative outlook. Moody’s cited a drop in business (particularly on the retail distribution side) as well as B&T’s significant debt, combined with a weakening ratio of revenue to its interest payments.Charlotte Business Journal
Bertrams Sold to Smiths News
Book wholesaler Betrams has been sold to Smiths News for £8.6m, the Bookseller reported Friday, four months after its parent Woolworths went into administration. Smiths News, formerly part of WH Smith, has said that it “anticipates that working capital of about £7m will be injected over the period to August 31 into Bertrams” in order to increase stock availability and thereby customer service. “Publishers are delighted that Smiths News has acquired Bertrams and that they have a firm commitment to the future development of the company,” said PA president Ian Hudson. Smiths News has agreed that publisher’s debts will be […]
Ingram Cuts 64 Jobs
Ingram has cut 64 jobs, including 34 at its headquarters warehouse in La Vergne, Tennessee and 30 at its Oregon warehouse. “We’re in this very difficult economic period where retail in all sectors is down,” company spokesman Keel Hunt told the Tennessean. “Ingram is being impacted by a falloff in order from retail booksellers. Their sales are down from the year before.”Tennessean