Books International has bought Marston Book Services and its subsidiary, Orca Books Services, both of which have headquarters in the U.K.
Books International CFO Vartan Ajamian commented: "The acquisition of Marston Book Services extends the capabilities of all three organizations and creates a manufacturing and distribution powerhouse with truly global reach... The combined organization will be able to offer extended product reach, improved fill rates, and accelerated delivery while allowing publishers to reduce their investment in standing inventory by leveraging the significant manufacturing, technology, and fulfillment capabilities available at the Books International, Marston and Orca facilities."
Marston Book Services chairman John Holloran added: "As third-party distribution services have evolved, robust book manufacturing capabilities and global reach have become essential features of the competitive landscape. Publishers have refocused their operations on content development and outsourced non-core activities to specialist firms such as Books International and Marston and Orca Book Services."
With the purchase, Martyn Chapman, commercial director of Orca Book Services, has been appointed group managing director, responsible for all U.K. operations, and Mark Chaloner has been appointed group commercial director.
John Holloran and Ross Clayton have resigned their directorships and will continue to advise the board during the transition period as consultants.