(Thorold, Ontario, December 8, 2021) – Book Depot, North America’s largest bargain book distributor based in Thorold, Ontario has acquired American Book Company headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee. Discussions began earlier in the year and culminated in the deal being signed on December 3. “This acquisition is part of our ongoing growth strategy to invest in the bargain book industry and we are delighted to partner with American Book Company.” said Wilf Wikkerink, CEO of Book Depot. “As we see continued consolidation in the publishing business it is also becoming clearer that publishers require large partners that are able to provide turnkey inventory solutions for their remainders, overstocks and returns, and bringing together two of the industry’s key players gives us that ability.” 

Dean Winegardner, CEO of American Book Company had this to say about the acquisition, “We are thrilled to be partnering with Book Depot who has shown their commitment to our industry with their enormous investment in technology and innovation over the last ten years. ABC and Book Depot are looking forward to leveraging our respective strengths for the benefit of our customers, publishers, employees, and all our stakeholders.” Pat O’Connor is remaining as President of American Book Company, while Dean Winegardner is leaving the industry after 33 years to expand the other ABCO Companies. 

About Book Depot (www.bookdepot.com)

Book Depot has been a leader in the wholesale bargain book business for over 35 years. Their 500,000-square-foot production facility, equipped with state-of-the-art automated order fulfillment technology and 500+ dedicated team members, allows them to deliver on their customers’ needs. 

Additional brands within the Book Depot portfolio include Kidsbooks Publishing LLC and their B2C websites: BookOutlet.com, Kidsbooks.com and Lillypost.com, a children’s book subscription box.

A strong culture of innovation and growth has been key to Book Depot’s success as they consistently strive to deliver an exceptional customer experience. Combined with this strong culture is their core purpose of Enchanting the Mind – one book at a time. The importance of reading and the belief that books should be accessible to all is the driving force for their operations. For more information, visit www.bookdepot.com 

About American Book Company (www.americanbookco.com)

American Book Company is a leading distributor of remainder, promotional and bargain-priced books. Founded by Dean Winegardner in 1997, ABC became an ESOP (employee stock owned company) in 2006. ABC has built its business partnering with most major publishing companies purchasing their overstocks and returns.  With a million square foot warehouse and an inventory of over 25 million units, they prepare turn key, retail ready book displays to service major retailers in the dollar, grocery and discount markets.  ABC has leveraged its systems and infrastructure to provide third-party logistics services, including reverse logistics, for mid-size publishers and consumer packaged goods companies. ABC also owns Book Warehouse, a chain of 36 bargain retail book stores primarily located in outlet malls across the US.