Announcing the first installation of Espresso Book Machines outside America

University of Melbourne joins Angus & Robertson in catching the vision.(September 2008)

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 afforCentral Book Servicesbly 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”.

At the same time, The University of Melbourne entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with the DA/Central Book Services group 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 afforCentral Book Servicesbly and reliably.

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, Central Book Services 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.

Central Book Services 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, Central Book Services is helping libraries all over Australia translate their sustainability commitment into action.

CBS initiates a sustainable books supply chain for Australia

OECD launches a new primer on Sustainable Development using Espresso Book Machine supplied by the CBS/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 CBS/DA Information Services, the Australian book wholesaler.

CBS/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.”

David Fenlon, Managing Director, Angus & Robertson adds: "The past few months Angus & Robertson has been adding to the collection of books available to our customers via the Espresso Book Machine, the only machine capable of printing bound paper books on the spot. The machine is the only one of its kind in Australia and is housed in the Angus & Robertson Bourke Street store. We are excited with the official announcement from the OECD regarding their decision to offer their latest title, OECD Insights: Sustainable Development, to Angus & Robertson customers via this print to order technology. It’s fantastic that the OECD has decided to partner with us to offer this important title to our customers via print on demand. The OECD is conscious of the environmental damage caused by transportation of goods and the waste caused by pulping old books, which is common in the book industry, and they’re sending a strong message. Print to order has so many benefits to offer the entire industry if we learn to adapt and use the technology to our advantage over time. Furthermore, the capacity to print a book on demand – any book you want within minutes – will be a massive attraction to our customers as we build up our catalogue".

Latest news(December 2008)

The EBM 2.0 is scheduled for installation in multiple universities, bookstores, and other retailers in North America and around the world in the first half of 2009 and beyond.

Video of The Espresso Book Machine 2.0

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