Mergers & Acquisitions

Marquis Book Printing, of Montmagny, Canada, has acquired Toronto-based Webcom, creating a (C)$100+ million in sales book printer.

Saying it has received interest from multiple parties about making an offer for the company, Barnes & Noble has created a formal review process to evaluate the retailer’s strategic alternatives. Among the parties interested in making an offer for B&N is its founder and chairman Len Riggio.

Kaplan has acquired the test prep, study aid, and foreign language assets of Barron’s Educational Series, in addition to purchasing the Barron’s brand name. Barron's is retaining its large trade list which will be published under a new name.

HBG's purchase involves Worthy’s entire publishing business, and Worthy founder Byron Williamson will become v-p, publishing development for Hachette Nashville, and will join HBG’s senior management group.

IPG has aquired Midpoint Trade Books. The 22-year-old distributor of 230 small and indie publishers will have its inventory transferred to IPG’s Chicago warehouse in the first quarter of 2019.

Arcadia Publishing and the American Booksellers Association have teamed up on a program that will give independent booksellers access to a select group of regional titles that will appeal to their local customers.

Barricade Books, the independent press founded by the late maverick publisher Lyle Stuart in 1990, has been sold.

In a deal that unites two illustrated book publishers, Insight Editions has acquired Weldon Owen from Bonnier Publishing USA for an undisclosed price.

RBmedia, one of the largest independent publishers and distributors of audiobooks, has been acquired by yet another private equity firm. Monday morning KKR and announced it bought the company from Shamrock Capital.

Fox Chapel Publishing has acquired independent quilt publisher Landauer Publishing. Landauer has a backlist of more than 100 quilting and needle-arts titles.