OECD launches a new primer on Sustainable Development using Espresso Book Machine supplied by DA Group (December 2008)

OECD Publishing’s new primer ‘OECD Insights: Sustainable Development’ is practising what it preaches by being published using revolutionary low-carbon publishing technology for sales in far-flung markets. ‘OECD Insights: Sustainable Development’ will be launched in the Angus & Robertson flagship bookshop in Bourke Street, Melbourne using one of Time Magazine’s Inventions of the Year - the Espresso Book Machine from On Demand Inc. Each copy sold will save 5.8kg in carbon emissions.

Traditionally books are printed in one place then shipped worldwide to distributors and then forwarded to booksellers and libraries, which generates a significant carbon footprint. This “just-in-case” approach to publishing and bookselling also creates delays in a book reaching more distant markets, which can be frustrating for readers.

On Demand Inc’s innovative Espresso Book Machine is helping to change this. It uses an electronic file to produce the book where it is sold, copy-by-copy, as and when they are needed. There is no need to batch print, transport, or store too many copies. With the Espresso Book Machine, publishing can become a “just-in-time” business.

Toby Green, Head of Publishing at OECD said: “This new technology is transforming the publishing industry, giving us the opportunity to reduce significantly our carbon footprint and improve delivery times for customers. Furthermore, it opens the door for us to adapt our publications to local markets. So, in the case of Australia we can pull together all the chapters about Australia that have appeared in our books over the past twelve months and offer them as a compilation just in that market. This has never been economically feasible before. So, alongside the launch of ‘OECD Insights; Sustainable Development’ we'll be launching 'Australia at a Glance'. We think On Demand’s Espresso Book Machine global network will open up new possibilities for us to do more publishing adapted to local markets.”

Dane Neller, co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of On Demand Books, the New York-based company that created and supplies the Espresso Book Machine around the world, said: “Angus & Robertson and the OECD are to be congratulated for this innovative use of the Espresso Book Machine, which demonstrates both its high relevance in a sustainability context, and its clear potential to drive revolutionary global changes in the availability and distribution of books.”

The launch of this book is an international collaboration between OECD Publishing in Paris, On Demand Books, Inc in New York, the major Australian bookselling chain Angus & Robertson, and DA Information Services, the Australian book wholesaler.

DA Group Executive Chairman, Richard Siegersma said: “We are in the unparalleled position of being Australian distributors both for Espresso Book Machines and the entire range of OECD Publications. The opportunity to pioneer this historic initiative was irresistible, and sets the scene for the future of book supply in this part of the world. We welcome enquiries from publishers and libraries interested in building a sustainable supply alternative.”

• DA's associate, Central Book Services, launches first EBM at Angus & Robertson Bookstore, Melbourne
• First Australian University signs up for its own Espresso Book Machine
• DA introduces EBM technology to deliver books faster to any library
• Australian libraries translate sustainability commitment into action

The education sector's access to the printed book took a giant leap forward with the September 2008 Australian launch of the Espresso Book Machine, the most revolutionary technology since Gutenberg invented the printing press. The Espresso Book Machine (EBM) is a patented fully-integrated book-making machine that automatically and affordably produces a library-quality paperback book in mere minutes. Last year it was named by Time magazine as one of the “Best Inventions of the Year”.

The University of Melbourne has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with DA to be the first University in Australia to implement the Espresso Book Machine on campus. It offers the University a decentralised distribution solution, allowing economical one-at-a-time production of faculty-created materials, library publications such as facsimiles of rare books, printings of digital collections, doctoral and research dissertations, custom anthologies, public domain books, conference proceedings and user manuals. The Espresso Book Machine delivers this content in perfect-bound, library-quality book form affordably and reliably.

Melbourne library supplier DA Information Services is working with the EBM creators, On Demand Books Inc. to position this technology in major libraries around Australia, one of several innovations by DA to improve the delivery of content for libraries. DA's associate company, Central Book Services, has already initiated the first EBM installation outside America and launched it in September at the Angus & Robertson bookstore in Bourke Street, Melbourne.

Speaking at the launch, Executive Chairman, Richard Siegersma highlighted the Espresso Book Machine as the perfect solution for Australian libraries and bookshops who want to reduce their carbon footprint – and get books more quickly. “Shipping books from the other side of the world is becoming undesirable”, says Siegersma.

The Espresso Book Machine provides libraries with another compelling reason to source books from the DA group. As most of the global and local publishers have substantial inventories in Australia, and the overwhelming majority of these are located in Melbourne, DA is already well-positioned to supply books more quickly than other library suppliers, and the Espresso Book Machine extends this capacity.

DA is seeking to deliver “Low Book Miles”™ to its customers, building an awareness of the cost of importing and shipping books around the world when they may be able to printed locally. Adds Siegersma: "This is a green technology because it eliminates the supply chain and shipping. With so many organisations now making a commitment to sustainability by requiring suppliers to reduce carbon emissions, DA is helping libraries all over Australia translate their sustainability commitment into action.

"The Espresso Book Machine also heralds a new era in which we can bring back thousands of titles previously deemed as out-of-print” adds Richard Siegersma. In the next year we will see around half a million on-demand titles being made available to the Espresso Book Machine. The EBM network distributes content digitally and the publisher retains full ownership and control over its content files. There is complete transparency for copyright tracking and the software automatically remits royalty payments to publishers.

Please click here to listen to the ABC Radio National “The Book Show” Espresso Book Machine story.