Acquisitions are normally heralded as happy things, win-win experiences for everyone involved. Thomson-Shore learned over the last year that is not always the case.
The Dexter-based book publisher acquired
PublishNext and its subsidiary the
Seattle Book Company last year in an effort to broaden its publishing platform. The idea seemed great on paper.
In reality it turned out to be rocky at first with old management from the company not fitting well with the new ownership. After a few months Thomson-Shore replaced that leadership and promoted one of the employees from within to manage it.
"Since then it has done quite well," says Kevin Spall, president of
Thomson-Shore. "It's growing very fast."
The 43-year-old company also rebranded PublishNext and the Seattle Book Company as Thomson-Shore Publishing Services and Thomson-Shore Distribution Services.
"It's an easier message," Spall says. "There was some confusion when customers would call."
Straightening all that out helped the company grow over the last year. It has hired six people, expanding its staff to 160 employees and the occasional intern. It’s also looking to hire another three people, primarily in manufacturing right now.
Source: Kevin Spall, president of Thomson-Shore
Writer: Jon Zemke
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