Lightning Source Global Newsletter

By Suzanne Wilson-Higgins, Commercial Director, Lightning Source

Anyone in our UK office can tell you that I struggle to keep up with the copious office banter on the topic of local football (translated to soccer for American readers) leagues, relegations and demotions of teams from one to another division. I even have to admit that where European parliament elections and Euros continue to divide, there is nothing like a cup final that engages the hearts and minds of millions across Europe simultaneously. With Manchester United and Barcelona set to fight it out in Rome on the eve of Book Expo America, European publishers will be seeking taverns and pubs in New York to see the poetry in motion – or at least some rather attractive calves from the female perspective. Wonderfully, it was not a goalless draw followed by a penalty shootout - (Barcelona 2, Manchester United 0).

Well having got the pressing European matters out of the way, what is the latest from the Europe, Middle East & Africa region with respect to printing on-demand and Lightning Source?

The UK publishing conference season was packed this year and Lightning Source was very much present at the Independent Publisher’s Guild, the APSBG (Academic and Specialist Booksellers Group) and the UK Serials Group annual conferences where we were able to meet with many customers and be introduced to new publishers as well. It is fair to say that the highlight was London Book Fair which was quite upbeat for Lightning Source working with colleagues under the Ingram banner. With many publishers under financial pressure most are beginning to see the financial sense that POD makes for their business – so we were extremely busy. That heightened interest, was coupled with the high profile launch of Espresso Book Machine which the mainstream newspapers and television in the UK picked-up and subsequently ran a range of stories focusing on the future of the book. In fact the UK business is seeing significant growth in 2009 and we are running above plan so far, but are far from being complacent. We have a large (rather nice) new building and the potential for more capacity so we are keen to keep our growth ahead of plan.

Lightning Source was involved in several other key events recently around Europe that are worth mentioning here. We attended the Salon du Livre in Paris a couple of months ago and we saw evidence that the French book trade is warming to the a la demande concept although it is still early days for Lightning Source en France.

Academic Publishers of Europe (both in Berlin and Florence) and the Leipzig Book Fair were attended earlier this year, and then a conference in Berlin earlier this month where many German publishers got together to look at improving efficiencies through workflow management. Reducing cost is a key topic amongst German publishers whose economy is suffering worst in Europe due to reduced exports. Books sales seem to be holding up in Germany so far but clearly there is concern as the recession unfolds this could change. These market conditions are pushing more publishers to seriously investigate on-demand printing.

The Irish book industry by contrast are having a devilish time with the competitive value of pounds sterling against the Euro and they are seeing their domestic book trade contract under pressure from imports and simply books not being purchased. However this challenging time did not stop the industry convening for its annual Irish Book Awards and Lightning Source entertained a number of important young publishers there while Irish author Sebastian Barry’s new (marvelous) book was lauded twice. Lightning Source is working with more members of CLE (The Irish Publishers Association) as the on-demand model can have a very positive impact on smaller publishers seeking improved cash flow.

At the time of writing, we are poised to sign-up new channel partners in Spain and announcements are sure to follow in the near future. Lightning Source have been making steady progress courting some non-traditional publishers, distributors, university presses, large Spanish language publishers and various channels over the past 18 months through the support of a part-time local sales consultant. Relationships are beginning to translate into business there albeit slowly.

Some opportunities did arise at London Book Fair with specific market segments and some publishers in both the Middle East and Africa, more on that soon.

Overall the picture on this side of the pond is cautiously optimistic as print on demand takes root and starts to blossom in Europe, despite the less than summer like weather we are enjoying in England this June!