The Bookseller.com

7th October 2008

Blackwell brews up Espresso

20.06.08 Alison Flood and Tom Tivnan

Blackwell is introducing an on-demand printer the Espresso Book Machine to its 60-store chain after signing an agreement with US owner On Demand Books.

The deal makes Blackwell the first UK retailer to install the EBM. The academic chain will trial the machine from this autumn at a yet-to-be-determined launch site, and will then roll it out across its stores. It is also looking at possible international retail sites and library supply for the machine.

Blackwell c.e.o. Vince Gunn described the technology, the brainchild of former Random House US editorial director Jason Epstein, as "trailblazing and pioneering". He added: "From a retailer's point of view, even allowing for the first--generation technology and publisher challenges, this is a fantastic opportunity—sell to demand with no risk to inventory and an opportunity to create incremental revenue streams for ourselves and publishers."

The EBM is already installed in 11 sites worldwide. It can access around one million titles, of which more than 600,000 come through a partnership with Lightning Source; the rest are in the public domain. It is also in talks with publishers about adding their content, although On Demand c.e.o. Dane Neller stressed the model was not to own content but to act a facilitator.

The machine, which On Demand describes as an "ATM for books", prints, binds and trims paperback books with four-colour covers, on demand and at point of sale. Version 1.5 prints around 40 pages a minute and is 9 ft long and 5 ft high and deep. Version 2.0, due for a fourth-quarter release, is smaller and prints at more than double the speed. Blackwell is likely to launch with the 1.5, but move up to the 2.0.

On Demand works on a leasing arrangement with retailers, offering a buy-out option at a later date. "Because of the newness of the technology our goal is to allow retailers to get in with as little upfront cost as possible," said Neller.

On Demand has had conversations with other UK retailers about stocking the EBM, but has signed a deal only with Blackwell. Neller said he expected that over time it would help to lower book prices, as it drove supply chain costs down: "But more importantly it means that no book will ever have to be out of print."

Gunn urged publishers to work with Blackwell. "Who knows what the future model will be? But rather than thinking this is scary and holding onto the past, let's think this is exciting and let's work together."

New consumer research from The Bookseller into the reading habits of 1,000 adults found that 30% liked the idea of being able to get out-of- stock books printed while they wait in a shop.

Retail blackwell Print on demand Home Espresso Alison Flood and Tom Tivnan

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