For two days last week, Toronto-based Webcom Inc. welcomed over 250 publishers and industry stakeholders to tour what the company describes as a $12-million investment in its book-manufacturing platform.
During the 2-day open house, entitled Game Changers 2011, Webcom announced a “multi-year strategic alliance” with Pearson’s educational business for North America. While details of the contract were not released, the book manufacturer also introduced a new logo, corporate colours, and tagline: “We’re on the same page.”
“The rules of the game have changed in the publishing industry with no shortage of worldwide economic problems pushing all of us,” stated Mike Collinge, President of Webcom. “We’re challenged daily in our businesses with ‘e’ and digital change, as well as rapidly advancing consumer demands. Print must change and improve its value. Today’s announcement signifies our readiness to change the rules of the game in favour of winning strategies for book publishers.”
Webcom first announced its $12-million investment plan in October 2010 following the Canadian-first purchase of an HP T300 web press. With this inkjet-based press as centerpiece to the investment, Webcom also purchased a toner-based HP Indigo 7000 (primarily to print covers) and several pieces of postpress technology, including: Acoro and Bolero finishing lines from Müller Martini, a Standard Horizon StitchLiner 6000, and a Magnum Flexbook system.
The technologies are drawn together in a new manufacturing strategy called BookFWD, in which Webcom plans to redefine its inventory, distribution and production costs associated with book production.
HP Canada was platinum sponsor of Webcom’s Game Changers 2011 open house, which also included support from technology partners AbitibiBowater, Cascades, Domtar, H.B. Fuller, KBR Graphics, Magnum Digital Solutions, Oce Canada, SoftChoice and Unisource.
Print this page
