UK publisher Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge (SPCK) has acquired Grand Rapids-based Christian publisher William B. Eerdmans Publishing, for undisclosed terms. Eerdmans will remain based in the US. Anita Eerdmans will step down from her role leading the company to become president of a newly-formed nonprofit called Eerdmans Foundation, which will advise and fundraise for Eerdmans Publishing. William Bergkamp will succeed her as president and publisher. The company writes in a release, “The editorial teams in the UK will continue to be led by [Wendy] Grisham, and the editorial teams in the US will continue to be led in the […]
M&A
Acquisitions: Bonnier Books To Acquire Nextory
Bonnier Books is acquiring rival Swedish subscription-based audiobook and ebook platform Nextory, pending approval from the Swedish Competition Authority. Bonnier already owns audio and ebook service BookBeat. Nextory is one of Europe’s largest audiobook streaming platforms, operating in 10 countries. The Swedish Herald reports that Bonnier will acquire all shares of the company for an undisclosed amount. “We have built Nextory into a significant and profitable business, and I am very proud of what we have achieved,” Shadi Bitar, Nextory ceo and co-founder, said in the announcement. “We have had interest from other players before, but now both the buyer […]
RBmedia Acquires Boldwood
Audiobook publisher RBmedia has acquired UK fiction publiser Boldwood, which will continue to operate independently. Boldwood ceo Amanda Ridout will remain at the helm and report to RBmedia global ceo Michael Paull. Under the deal, for which financial terms were not disclosed, all 30 employees will stay at Boldwood. In its most recent Companies House filing for 2025, Boldwood reported a profit and loss account of £8.4 million. Ridout says the board directed her to explore a sale at the end of the last year. “This acquisition strengthens our international and foreign-language publishing and ability to serve authors while delivering more […]
Profile Books Acquires Solaris
UK publisher Profile Books has acquired the sci-fi and fantasy imprint Solaris from Rebellion Publishing, the Bookseller reports. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. Five Solaris staff members will move with the imprint—David Thomas Moore, Amanda Raybould, Amy Borsuk, Jess Gofton, and Natalie Sorrell Charlesworth. As of July 1, Profile will take over sales and distribution of Solaris e-books. Print books will reamain with their current distributors until September 1. “We are thrilled to be taking this big step into a new genre,” Profile ceo Rebecca Gray said. “Solaris is already home to a wealth of acclaimed authors writing […]
Wiley Buys Emerald Publishing for $452 Million
Wiley announced the significant purchase of UK-based Emerald Publishing from Cambridge Information Group in a cash transaction valued at £337 million, or $452 million. The deal brings Wiley over 480 journal brands—giving them a portfolio of approximately 2,500 journals—along with 8,000 book titles and additional content. Wiley indicates it brings additional depth particularly in economics, business, finance, accounting, management, strategy, education, engineering, information and knowledge management, operations, public policy and environmental management. CIG acquired Emerald in 2022, prior to which the publisher was a private, family-run business. Wiley touts the deal as value at seven times adjusted ebitda, inclusive of […]
PRH Germany Acquires Frechverlag
Penguin Random House Germany has acquired German craft and guidebook publisher Frechverlag from Weka Group. Terms of the deal were not announced. It is subject to antitrust approval and will have “retroactive economic effect as of January 1, 2021,” according to a release. Frech will remain independently operated out of its Stuttgart office. It has approximately 80 employees who will stay at the company, which will continue to be led by Michael Zirn as managing director. “The advice sector is of major strategic importance to us,” PRH Germany ceo Thomas Rathnow stated in a release. “Frechverlag, with its successful programs […]