Lion Hudson to represent Baker Publishing Group

 

Lion Hudson plc and Baker Publishing Group announced on 4th June 2007 that BPG will transfer their UK sales and distribution from STL Distribution to Lion Hudson with effect from 1 September 2007. Distribution will be handled by Marston Book Services. The Lion Hudson sales teams will begin taking orders for BPG imprints from the 18th June 2007 for September delivery onwards.

Mr Ian Waterfield, STL Distribution’s Managing Director said that he was: 'Very proud of STL Distribution’s achievement in having represented and distributed the Baker Publishing Groups imprints and successfully establishing them within the Christian market'. He commented further that 'STLD will continue to subscribe all new BPG titles up to and including August releases, and will remain a proactive wholesaler of the BPG imprints.'

John O’Nions, Lion Hudson’s Sales & Marketing Director acknowledged that: 'STL Distribution have done a fine job with the BPG lists in a testing market over a number of years. We at Lion Hudson have been impressed by the professionalism of the team at STLD, and by the good reputation they enjoy across the Christian market.

However because of Lion Hudson’s standing not only in the Christian market place but equally within the Special Sales and General markets, the transfer to Lion Hudson affords Baker the opportunity to reach all areas of the UK trade from under one roof. We are delighted to be joining with them to bring BPG books to the widest possible audience.'

Paul Clifford, Lion Hudson’s Managing Director, commented: 'We have always enjoyed very strong relationships with Baker and are delighted to cement that relationship even further in this way. Our lists are remarkably complementary rather than competitive and we look forward to growing Baker’s sales across a broad front. We have not only strengthened our Area Sales Management team, but in addition, appointed a specialist Baker Sales & Marketing manager to enable us to maximise the sales & marketing opportunities and to ensure we maintain our existing high service standards to all our customers'.

Baker Publishing Group, founded in 1939 and based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, is the fourth-largest US Christian publisher, producing about 400 new titles each year ranging from fiction through academic and general to inspirational across six imprints: Baker, Baker Academic, Brazos, Bethany, Chosen, Revell.

Lion Hudson plc, based in Oxford, is the UK’s largest independent publisher of books inspired by the Christian faith and its values, publishing adult and children’s books under the Candle, Lion, Lion Children’s and Monarch imprints.

Further information from: Paul Clifford MD or John O’Nions Sales and Marketing Director, Lion Hudson plc (01865 302750)