PRH US to expand with new Nevada distribution centre

Penguin Random House US is expanding its distribution operations with a new centre in Nevada. 

PRH US c.e.o. Madeline McIntosh said the publisher will be expanding its network of distribution and fulfilment centres by adding a location in the western United States, "significantly" increasing its distribution capabilities across the country. 

The company has reached a multi-year agreement to assume the operation and management of a fulfilment centre in Reno, Nevada, that is currently leased to Baker & Taylor, a national book distributor, which is discontinuing its service to retail booksellers. 

The 244,000 sq ft Reno centre has well-established book-fulfilment infrastructure and systems in place. The Nevada location becomes the third PRH distribution centre in the US, joining its long-standing operations in Westminster, Maryland and Crawfordsville, Indiana.

“We have discussed having a western fulfilment centre for years, and now is the perfect time to make that happen,” said McIntosh. “Creating a western hub in the Penguin Random House supply chain expands our distribution reach from coast to coast, and gives us additional capacity to get more books to more readers even more quickly than we do now.”

She added: “Having this Reno facility as our third Penguin Random House US distribution centre is a welcome opportunity to make a major investment in the future of print books and retail."

The centre will distribute PRH titles to a variety of retail customers, and will also distribute titles for Penguin Random House Publisher Services (PRHPS) clients and underscores "the company’s support for and belief in the long-term future of physical-retail bookstores", said PRH. 

Under the agreement, Baker & Taylor will continue to ship PRH and PRHPS reorders to current customers during the transition of the Reno facility, and on 1st January, 2020, PRH will assume sole operation of the facility. The transition will be led by Annette Danek, executive vice president, supply chain, PRH. 

She said: “We anticipate a seamless changeover. It is well-established that rapid replenishment is a key element of our customers’ profitability, and we are thrilled to be able to provide this important support through the crucial fall season and beyond without interruption. At the outset, we’ll be focusing on the western states currently serviced out of Reno. Over time, we hope to build capacity for greater flexibility and a wider range of services.”

“We know we will need experienced and qualified employees exactly like the people who have been working at Baker & Taylor. We look forward to learning more about the day-to-day operations in Reno, and to assessing our hiring needs as we get closer to year’s end.”
 
Amandeep Kochar, executive v.p. at Baker & Taylor, added: “Penguin Random House is a key publishing partner for Baker & Taylor and an admired leader in our industry. We have worked closely with them to facilitate this transaction, and believe it will be very beneficial for booksellers and will generate job opportunities. We wish everyone associated with the Reno facility much future success.”