Book printers bound together by new global network

Australia’s new on-demand book manufacturer, Lightning Source will soon be networked to parent company Ingram Content Group’s print and distribution program, Global Connect.
Based in Victoria, the 2,800sqm Scoresby facility servicing the Asia Pacific region will be connected to Imgram’s new worldwide network of book manufacturers and local retailers.

According to CEO, David Prichard, national borders or languages no longer bind today’s marketplace. “Global access offers publishers an untapped opportunity, and Ingram is reshaping the content distribution model to help them realize their full business potential.

“Making the right content available, in the right format, to the right audience is key to success. Ingram’s Global Connect program was built to accomplish this for our customers on a worldwide scale,” he says.

The US-based company maintains that the specifications and quality standards of its on-demand book manufacturing operation, Lightning Source will be the benchmark for books printed by Global Connect partners

Philip Ollila, chief content officer at Ingram says it should not be necessary to have relationships with multiple printers, distributors, and retailers to expand the reach of good content to consumers worldwide.

The program expands the reach of publisher’s physical content beyond Ingram’s current channels in the US, UK, Australia and France to new markets through a network of selected book manufacturing and distribution partners. The company’s expansion in the Far East, central Europe and South America is expected to be complete by end 2011.