The Bookseller.com

2nd December 2008

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Rep force Troika calls it a day

11.10.07 Graeme Neill

Rep force Troika is going out of business at the end of this year, after almost 25 years of selling into bookshops.

Troika represents almost 100 independent publishers including BFI, Maia Press, Nick Hern Books, Stacey International and Zed Books. Many are distributed by Central Books and Inpress.

Paul Westlake, chairman and founder of the company, said that the winding up of the business was "largely because of current market conditions. We have enjoyed very much being part of the book industry," he added. "I believe the company has made a good contribution to the independent publishing sector amid increasingly difficult market conditions. I think we have also helped change the way that independent publishers are regarded within the trade."

Nick Hern, founder and m.d. of Nick Hern Books, said: "We were with them for more than 10 years . . . I very much enjoyed working with them and am very sorry to see their demise. I think with the shrinkage across the industry at the moment, someone had to give ground and, unfortunately, it was them."

Westlake said that he had no immediate plans after Troika folds in December. The four other full-time staff at the north London business have either found employment or are seeking jobs.

reps Graeme Neill Troika