Offset

During a Book Manufacturers Institute’s webinar on August 26, representatives from across the book manufacturing spectrum confirmed something that has been widely discussed in publishing circles for many weeks: printing capacity for trade books is tight.

Buyers considering a purchase of the printing giant's assets now have until August 26 to file a bid, and the auction has been moved to September 3.

Citing industry shifts as well as disruptions in the publishing supply chain caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Ingram Content Group said it is investing millions of dollars in an upgrade to its global printing and distribution network.

The CJK Group has acquired the assets of Quad/Graphics’ Versailles, Ky., book manufacturing facility. Under the agreement, CJK bought the equipment and assumes the customer contracts at the facility.

Analysts at the Book Manufacturers Institute’s Spring Management Conference were optimistic about the recovery of the printing sector and the overall economy despite the severe impact of the pandemic and subsequent lockdown.

LSC Communications has voluntarily filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy, but will continue to operate with debtor-in-possession financing.

LSC Communications, one of the country’s largest printers and its largest book printer, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company said it expects to operate normally as it works its way through the restructuring process.

The loss of printing capacity is one of the many concerns publishers are facing because of the new coronavirus outbreak—and the business was dealt an unhappy surprise last week when Quad unexpectedly closed its book printing facilities.

With governors of both Illinois and New Jersey issuing shelter-in-place orders, IPG, located in Illinois, and Bookazine, based in the Garden State, said they remain open.

Their proposed merger fell apart, but megaprinters Quad/Graphics and LSC nevertheless are looking more like monopolies.