Important information

In response to the COVID – 19 crisis we want to keep you informed as we implement contingency plans to respond to the challenges created by this national emergency. The following actions have been taken on behalf of our employees and our customers: More

1.   Books International’s two manufacturing facilities in the United States – our headquarters facility in Dulles, VA and a satellite facility in Chicago, IL. The latter is embedded in the University of Chicago Press’ Chicago Distribution Center. Both plants are currently operating on normal production schedules and we do not currently anticipate a future closure of manufacturing operations at either facility.  This is, of course, subject to change as the situation develops.
2.   Employees at both operations are cross-trained should we encounter any significant absenteeism due to the Coronavirus.
3.   Both facilities have manufacturing redundancy for selected functions should we need to transfer volume between plants.
4.   Plans for back-up manufacturing operations with local book manufacturers are being activated in the unlikely event that we will need to shut down one or both Books International manufacturing plants.
5.   Plans to transition from onsite administrative activities are in place. Books International administrative staff have been appropriately equipped and we will deploying selected functions to a full work from home arrangement in the coming days.
6.   Employee meetings have been held and will continue to be held regarding best practices to avoid contracting the virus and containing the spread of COVID – 19.
7.   Additional cleaning and disinfecting steps have been implemented.
8.   Visits from suppliers and outside companies have been suspended at both facilities and business travel of all types has been eliminated for all employees.
9.   We carry adequate 8-12 weeks of text paper inventory at both manufacturing locations and have increased our position of business critical consumables.
10.   We are actively sourcing additional inventory of both to ensure that material shortages will not intrude on our ability to meet our manufacturing commitments and we are in close contact with key suppliers. We are maintaining close contact with the supply chain partners to ensure uninterrupted delivery and increased inventory.

As this situation evolves we will modify our procedures and policies as circumstance require and you may rest assured that Books International is fully committed to ensuring the health and safety of our team, supply chain partners and customers and a continuous supply of products to our customers.

Kind Regards,

Vartan Ajamian
President & Chief Executive Office
Books International

Fulfillment Services

Whether you want to ship one book to one customer or bulk shipments to retailer and business partners, Books International manages hundreds of thousands of titles for publishers worldwide.

Maintaining a large inventory is made easy and efficiently to make more sales.

Books International will customize services to fit your needs, where it can combine front office functions such as order entry and collections, with warehouse management functions that include pick/pack/ship services.

On behalf of our clients, we ship to customers from individuals to the large trading partners like Amazon as well as the mass merchandizers such as Target. Our online account-management system allows you to access your sales information, monitor your inventory levels, and place orders. With monthly sales and activity reporting, you’ll easily be able to manage multiple titles.

Front Office Services

Order entry

All invoices, credit memos, statements, etc. done under the publisher's name
Phones answered under the publisher's name
Dedicated telephone number and email account
Receipt of orders via EDI, phone, fax, mail, email, website, spreadsheets
Standing orders
Ebook sales reports uploaded
Returns processing/credit memos

Accounting

Cash/check/credit card processing — deposited directly to the publisher’s bank account
Accounts receivable — payment application

Internet access to your data

View and print capabilities in your office; customizable reports available including sales, marketing, accounting, and inventory; exportable data (.csv, .txt) to use in other programs

Customer service

Inquiries — response via mail, phone, fax, email
Cancellations
Tracers/claims

Collections

Phone calls, invoice copies, proof of delivery provided
Chargeback resolutions
Ability to put customers on Hold or take them off Hold

Reporting

Automated data feeds may be set up to deliver information to the publisher
Nightly inventory files may be sent to update publisher's website
Month-end reports — agreed-upon reports sent monthly
Commission reports
Royalty processing — contracts entered and reports/statements issued as required

Pick, Pack and Ship Services

Receiving inventory

Check condition
Weigh
Count
Receiving reports emailed to publisher
Data uploaded to database
Backorders released and picked
Remaining stock assigned locations and put away
Receipt and processing of returns, refurbishment
Integrated receiving from in-house print facility

Data

Tracking numbers uploaded to invoice file within database
Shipment confirmations emailed to customers (optional)

Warehouse

Printing, picking, and packing orders — 24-48 hour turnaround
Packaging materials include double‐walled boxes
Invoices, shipping labels, statements, envelopes with your company name
Customs forms
Mailing domestic and international orders via UPS, USPS, FedEx, truck

Collections

Phone calls, invoice copies, proof of delivery provided
Chargeback resolutions
Ability to put customers on Hold or take them off Hold

Other

Assortment creation and labeling, loose sets/prepacks
Preparation and application of Stickers
Physical inventory counts

Integration Support

Provide EDI support for trading partners including, but not limited to, Amazon, Baker & Taylor, Barnes & Noble, Ingram, Target, and LOGIN.

Data file exchanges with the publisher:

New titles, title changes
File transfers as needed for inventory levels, shipping confirmations
Shopping cart support
Routing software supported to meet trading partners' requirements
Inventory feeds for Baker & Taylor's VIP program

Books International client portal provides access to inventory and sales data. This data can also be presented per distributed line in order to give distributors' clients access to sales data.