Columbia University Press to move fulfillment to Perseus and accelerate digital delivery

Columbia University Press announced a plan to close its warehouse facility in Irvington, NY in the summer of 2009 and outsource its fulfillment operations to Perseus Distribution, a division of Perseus Book Group. This restructuring is part of an overall effort to improve print economics while facilitating electronic delivery.

The collaboration with Perseus will strengthen the print program of the Press and allow it to accelerate growth of digital offerings—not previously available through its operations—for its eleven distribution partners, particularly for short run digital printing, print on demand, and a suite of delivery services for electronic books in multiple formats. Columbia University Press will continue to concentrate on growing its core publishing operations including its recently launched Columbia Business School Publishing imprint, making them available in multiple formats.

The closure will result in a staff reduction of approximately 25 positions. Affected employees have been offered a full set of severance benefits and outplacement services.

“Any decision involving job loss is difficult, especially when dedicated staff have served the Press professionally and well for many years,” said Jim Jordan, president and director of Columbia University Press. “Nevertheless, this is the right direction for the Press, its clients, and authors. The change will allow us to continue to acquire and publish outstanding scholarship in all our core fields and to remain the strong force we have become in international academic publishing.”