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NEWS RELEASE
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Better Profits are Possible in Publishing Michael Cairns' presentation at this year’s Supply Chain Meeting provides New Providence, N.J. USA– November 4, 2003 - Michael Cairns, President of R.R. Bowker, which acquired PubEasy early this year, delivered a riveting presentation at this year's Frankfurt Book Fair Supply Chain Meeting. The presentation focused on a vision of needed direction for the publishing industry to meet the challenges lying ahead. Highlighting this vision was the identification of industry secrecy and lack of communication as the key culprits behind inefficiencies such as 30-50% return rates industry wide. Beginning his presentation, Mr. Cairns called for industry businesses to “come together in a more collaborative and flexible [manner] for the good of all participants.” This gathering is essential, insisted Cairns, to confront structural flaws and inefficiencies found throughout the industry. Following on this focus, Cairns cited the current industry trend of maintaining profit margins by continuously improving efficiency. However, the sector is reaching a problem of having obtained optimal in-house efficiency. This is now resulting in the search for outside areas to further the trend. “The supply chain is the next frontier for operational improvements”, proclaimed Cairns. “Creating efficiencies in the supply chain is the only area where sustainable expense and cost savings could be found [moving forward]”. He then proposed that adding intelligence to the supply chain can contribute marketable increases in efficiency. Previously employed by PricewaterhouseCooper, Cairns recalled his experience in a project that yielded 80mm/year in cost savings for major trade publisher. In depicting the experience he divulged, “even with the cost savings we provided the data point most valuable, but unattainable was inventory in the [supply] chain” because of a lack of intelligence. “So how is adding intelligence to the supply chain manifested,” asked Cairns? His reply to this rhetorical question was the introduction of an idea aptly named The Intelligent Publishing Supply Network (ISPN). The IPSN is an effort aimed at reversing the currently dominant push distribution model to a pull model controlled by demand. This reversal will significantly decrease operational costs across the sector as chronicled by Cairns in his presentation. He further reiterated, “Accomplishing this requires a collaborative network of suppliers, distributors and wholesalers that freely share information among each other.” Continuing on Cairns professed, “most large publishing players have the technical infrastructure necessary to support [this] collaborative environment.” Cairns then spoke of examples that showed how other industries have used this type of system, emphatically attesting “Clear opportunities exist and enlightened companies are beginning to take advantage.” Before ending his presentation, Mr. Cairns disclosed: With clear vision of where the publishing industry stands and with an insightful and proven view of where it needs to head, Mr. Cairns concluded his outlook of the challenges ahead facing the publishing industry. Michael Cairns’ presentation was part of the 25th International Distribution and Supply Chain Specialists Meeting. Slides on this and other presentations centered on this topic can be found at www.Pubeasy.com/news/FrankfurtSupplyChain.pps. For more information about Michael Cairns views of further plans to make this vision a reality please contact us by phone 908-219-0133 or email marketing@bowker.com. About PubEasyŽ |
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