Bringing a longstanding exclusive distribution arrangement with STL to an end, HarperCollins have today announced new distribution arrangements to the UK Christian book trade. In a press release (pdf, 70kb) issued on Thursday, December 10, 2009, Sam Richardson, Head of Religious Publishing at HarperCollins, advised that new agreements had been reached with IVP and Norwich Books and Music, … Continue reading
Tagged with IBS-STL …
STL UK: Preferred Bidders Selected but Outcome Remains Uncertain
In a new trade update issued yesterday afternoon, Keith Danby has announced that STL UK’s “preferred bidders” have now been selected. The final outcome remains uncertain “until the due diligence process is concluded” but they remain confident that one or more transactions will be concluded for various aspects of the business, thus ensuring a seamless … Continue reading
UCB Suspend Mail Order Services due to STL Supply Problems
During what should have been their busiest time of year, the run up to Christmas, UCB have suspended their online/mail order service, UCB2GO, due to concerns over STL’s ability to supply. The suspension came into effect on November 23rd and is expected to remain in place for a period of three months: UCB2GO has recently … Continue reading
SAP and IBS-STL UK: A Timeline and Some Reflections
Given that the collapse of IBS-STL UK has largely been attributed to its failed SAP implementation, the following timeline (which undoubtedly has a few gaps) may prove helpful in formulating the questions that should now be asked in order to ensure that a disaster like this doesn’t happen again. The fact that SAP was intended to … Continue reading
Wesley Owen: Bids for Individual Stores Not Ruled Out
In an interview posted by the Edinburgh Evening News, David Young, General Manager of IBS-STL, has acknowledged the possibility of the Wesley Owen chain being split if buyers can be found for individual branches or groups of shops. Continue reading
Saving STL UK: Towards a sustainable business model?
Whether or not the possibility of a group buyout for IBS-STL UK will even be considered by Biblica’s Board and Trustees remains to seen. As of this posting I am still awaiting detailed financial statements from the company, without which it is somewhat difficult to even begin to prepare anything remotely resembling a firm proposal … Continue reading
STL UK Crisis: Reports roundup and further reflections (updated)
Figured a roundup of reports on / responses to the STL UK crisis might be useful. Reports marked * are largely nothing more than re-runs of the official press release with minimal or no additional comment. No doubt there are a few I’ve missed and more will emerge as the tragedy unfolds — but as I’ve said, … Continue reading
A Message of Hope from Germany: Co-operation is Possible
Can STL – Wesley Owen – Authentic Media be saved? An example from Germany shows that working together is possible, if we have the will to make it happen. Continue reading
New Ways of Being Bookshop
Matt Wardman writes: Following recent posts by Phil Groom about the crisis in the STL Distribution company on the SPCK News Site and here at the Christian Bookshops Blog, I thought I’d run a few reflections up the flagpole. I have no involvement in bookselling, apart from loving and buying books, but, like the Mouse, … Continue reading
And so it ends: STL UK puts up ‘For Sale’ sign
In a press release (full text below or pdf, 86kb) issued at lunchtime today, Biblica announced that they were finally pulling out of their UK operations and putting the division up for sale. In the press release, Keith Danby, Global CEO, is quoted saying, Given the severe financial and operational strains we have experienced, the … Continue reading
