The Bookseller.com

2nd December 2008

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Umbreit takes over importer Petersen

16.09.08

After months of uncertainty the German-based book importer Petersen Buchimport has found a new partner in wholesaler Umbreit. It is taking over an undisclosed share in the family-owned company from 1st January 2009 when managing director Clemens Birk will join Johann Christian Petersen on the board.

From November Umbreit, which is based in southern Germany near Stuttgart, will take on all logistic services including warehousing and processing goods, while management, buying and administration will remain in Hamburg.

Since 1950 Petersen has been a stalwart of English-language books in Germany, supplying not only to booksellers but also wholesalers. But since the two leading wholesalers Libri and KNV have invested heavily in their international departments since the mid-90s, Petersen found it increasingly difficult to keep up with the competition. The signs were on the wall when marketing and sales director Martin Brüninghaus left abruptly earlier this year.

Umbreit, Germany’s third-biggest wholesaler, finally stepped in because the company has for some time been looking to strengthen its offer of foreign-language books. Petersen regularly stocks between 12,000 and 14,000 English books. The company orders directly from about 150 UK and US publishers and closely works with wholesalers Gardners and Baker & Taylor.

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