Baker & Taylor Launches TextStream Digital Print Service

FRANKFURT, Oct. 13 /PRNewswire/ — Baker & Taylor, Inc., the world’s largest distributor of physical and digital books and entertainment products, today announced at Frankfurt Book Fair the launch of TextStream, the company’s digital print services offering. TextStream provides publishers with a wide variety of print-on-demand and short-run digital replenishment services, saving them time and money while increasing their customer reach. TextStream is managed by Baker & Taylor’s Digital Media Services Group.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20090529/CL24290LOGO )

“Baker & Taylor continues to make strategic investments to solidify our position as the leading distributor of print and electronic products and services for publishers,” said Tom Morgan, CEO of Baker & Taylor. “Our TextStream offerings will help publishers operate more efficiently and more quickly deliver to readers the titles they want.”

TextStream gives Baker & Taylor suppliers worldwide an easier way to manage their inventories and cash flow, and allows booksellers to order books on-demand via one ordering system. Put simply, libraries, booksellers and publishers can trust Baker & Taylor to get into readers’ hands the titles they want – from best-sellers to classics to self-published works – when they want them.

“In these challenging economic times, publishers are embracing strategies that reduce costs. TextStream delivers on that front while increasing sales through faster service and perpetual inventory,” said Larry Bennett, Vice President for Digital Print Media.

Leveraging the experience and scope of its digital print provider, RR Donnelley – the world’s largest commercial printer, TextStream offers industry-leading digital print and bind capabilities and promises comprehensive, state-of-the-art file security.

TextStream offers a wide variety of product options and formats, including hardcover and spiral bindings, dust jackets and 4-color inside pages. The majority of TextStream’s output is produced at Baker & Taylor’s Momence, Ill. distribution center. Several off-site locations supply the rest of Baker & Taylor’s national network of service centers, providing quick product turnaround to customers in the U.S. and around the world.

About Baker & Taylor

Baker & Taylor, Inc. (www.baker-taylor.com) is a global information and entertainment services company offering print and digital books and entertainment products along with value-added services to libraries, educational institutions and retailers. The Charlotte, N.C.-based company has been around for more than 180 years, developing long-term relationships with major suppliers – book publishers, movie studios and music labels. Baker & Taylor maintains one of the largest combined in-stock book, video and music inventories in the United States, and services the broadest customer base in the industry. Baker & Taylor is majority owned by Castle Harlan Partners IV, L.P., a leading private equity investment firm.

SOURCE Baker & Taylor, Inc.