Books International acquires Marston and Orca

US-based Books International has acquired UK distributors Marston and its subsidiary Orca Book Services. 

Books International, which provides manufacturing, digital delivery and distribution services for clients including Taylor & Francis and Switzerland’s Peter Lang, said the acquisition will create a “manufacturing and distribution powerhouse with truly global reach”. 

Marston chairman John Holloran and m.d. Ross Clayton have resigned their directorships and will continue to advise the board during the transition period as consultants.

Martyn Chapman, previously commercial director of Orca Book Services, has been appointed group managing director to be responsible for all UK operations with effect from Friday 28th March. Mark Chaloner was appointed group commercial director.

Holborn said: “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.”

Books International c.f.o. Vartan Ajamian added: “Our combined resources create new opportunities for the existing clients of all three organisations and we look forward to introducing new capabilities on both sides of the Atlantic. The combined organisation 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 fulfilment capabilities available at the Books International, Marston and Orca facilities.”

Marston, which employs 150 staff employed in the offices and warehouses in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, bought Orca, which has a 66,000 square foot distribution centre in Poole, Dorset, from Continuum in October 2008.