Ingram Signs Agreement With Springer on New U.S. Distribution Services Model
(Press Release) NASHVILLE, TN—Ingram Content Group Inc. and Springer announced a new integrated distribution services model that combines traditional physical book fulfillment with single-copy print-on-demand solutions for Springer’s entire Americas publishing program.
Starting in the first quarter of 2011, Ingram Content Group will fully manage warehousing, fulfillment and print-on-demand for Springer using the new model. Ingram will hold Springer’s entire US inventory and as it sells down, Ingram will transition titles to print-on-demand when it makes the most economic sense. All fulfillment will come through Ingram.
“Working with Ingram is part of our continued and ambitious move to focusing on what we do best: providing high quality information for the scientific, medical and professional communities. This agreement allows us to better serve our users and readers by combining physical and digital book distribution, thereby shortening the time to market,” said Eric Schmitt, EVP Customer Service, Fulfillment, Logistics at Springer.
As the need to invest in the future of content in its many forms becomes increasingly important, publishers are facing resource decisions unlike any before. They are exploring new ways to operate and shift investments once used for the cost of warehousing and returns to developing the most innovative content. By strategically combining traditional print publishing with virtual inventory and print on demand, Springer can concentrate its energy and resources on the future success of its company while assuring its authors and readers that its high quality content will always be widely available, also in print.
“At Ingram, we are reinventing the traditional publishing business model with forward-thinking publishers like Springer,” said David “Skip” Prichard, President & CEO, Ingram Content Group. “Ingram has continued to invest in the newest print-on-demand technologies, physical and digital distribution and worldwide market reach, so publishers can focus their attention on content creation, the foundation of their business.”
