News

Bertrams settles supply disruption

01.01.70 | Philip Jones

Bertrams managing director Michael Neil has said that the wholesaler is once again trading normally, after last week's disruption in book supply prompted by the cancellation of some publishers' credit insurance covering the Woolworth's-owned wholesaler.

Neil would not comment on the negotiations with publishers and distributors but said that the "conversations have concluded and we are now trading normally”. "From our perspective and from our customers’ there hasn’t been any disruption to our service," he said. "Our warehouse is full of books and sales have been better than ever. There has been staggering year on year turnover growth during September."

Last week The Bookseller reported that major distributors and publishers, including Hachette Distribution, which comprises Bookpoint and LBS, had temporarily suspended supply as they negotiated tighter credit terms. Neither side would comment on the specifics, but it is understood that Hachette has recommenced distribution, with new temporary terms in place.

Publishers spoken to by The Bookseller remained cautious, but were supportive of Bertrams' strong position within the weaker Woolworth's Group business—Woolies' share price has fallen by a quarter since last week, and is now trading at just above 3p, valuing the group at just over £60m. Alastair Williams, m.d of small press Summersdale, said: "We are treading a very careful path."

Neil was bullish in the face of the wider crunch. "We are doing fantastically well. We are profitable, are having great sales growth and are cash generative. We are going to have a great Christmas."

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By Dave

Why doesn't Woolworths tell the Stockmarket that their wholesale side is trading normally & doing well?

It would help stabilize their share price.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 14:20
By Ray Hollingsworth

Trading normally? Looks like they are the only company on the planet that are doing that.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 14:20
By Clive Keeble

Bertrams can greatly aid their own cause by offering an anticipated supply date for recent publications, and not merely showing NYP with no scheduled delivery date even though copies are "available" in distributors (this does not merely apply to Hachette Group).

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 14:20
By Clive Keeble

Michael Neil might well try to talk about Bertrams supply ; however, the harsh ongoing facts are that the warehouse has for the past two months regularly failed to pick items which are allegedly "ready". Two such examples from yesterday afternoon's picking were ISBNs 9780571223336 (stock over 99 copies) and 3836504758 (stock 5 copies). Needless to say those recently published titles which were showing NYP and no delivery date are similarly still in limbo. If other independent booksellers are experiencing similar problems this is time for them to come to the plate and speak up, then perhaps the Bertrams to which we are so loyal will manage to get their house supply in order pdq. In the present trading conditions I ,for one, am not interested in corporate spin, for action (or inaction) speaks far louder than idle fancy words.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 14:20
By frustrated.

Compared to CD and DVD suppliers, Bertram and Gardners are streets ahead in terms of stock fill and efficiency. However, in the last few weeks Berts have failed to supply books they say they have in stock (which they have put down to a warehouse move around) in practically every delivery. All was supposed to be repaired after the recent stock take but it is still not normal. To make matters worse, two days ago I received a box of stock with my contents note but with completely different stock and also a box with the same contents note and the right stock. Then yesterday I received an order in two boxes with a mix of my order and other books in both boxes, overall I was short 15 of my books and received 25 of someone elses. This has nothing to do with any recent Woolies troubles and is down to something seriously wrong with the supply chain, which if I am not the only one could damage Berts far more than any other issues.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 14:20
By Really?

Good to know that the big boys are dealing "normally" with Bertrams. However they don't seem to have made peace with at least one distributor as our books are not being supplied to Bertrams, who are still on stop.
Perhaps this is a case of one rule for those distributors with clout and another for the rest. Spin seems to be alive and well in Norfolk.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 14:20
By Gary Green

Frustrated.To whom are you referring in your comment about DVD/CD suppliers?

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 14:20
By Dave

Why doesn't Woolworths tell the Stockmarket that their wholesale side is trading normally & doing well?

It would help stabilize their share price.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 14:20
By Ray Hollingsworth

Trading normally? Looks like they are the only company on the planet that are doing that.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 14:20
By Clive Keeble

Bertrams can greatly aid their own cause by offering an anticipated supply date for recent publications, and not merely showing NYP with no scheduled delivery date even though copies are "available" in distributors (this does not merely apply to Hachette Group).

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 14:20
By Clive Keeble

Michael Neil might well try to talk about Bertrams supply ; however, the harsh ongoing facts are that the warehouse has for the past two months regularly failed to pick items which are allegedly "ready". Two such examples from yesterday afternoon's picking were ISBNs 9780571223336 (stock over 99 copies) and 3836504758 (stock 5 copies). Needless to say those recently published titles which were showing NYP and no delivery date are similarly still in limbo. If other independent booksellers are experiencing similar problems this is time for them to come to the plate and speak up, then perhaps the Bertrams to which we are so loyal will manage to get their house supply in order pdq. In the present trading conditions I ,for one, am not interested in corporate spin, for action (or inaction) speaks far louder than idle fancy words.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 14:20
By frustrated.

Compared to CD and DVD suppliers, Bertram and Gardners are streets ahead in terms of stock fill and efficiency. However, in the last few weeks Berts have failed to supply books they say they have in stock (which they have put down to a warehouse move around) in practically every delivery. All was supposed to be repaired after the recent stock take but it is still not normal. To make matters worse, two days ago I received a box of stock with my contents note but with completely different stock and also a box with the same contents note and the right stock. Then yesterday I received an order in two boxes with a mix of my order and other books in both boxes, overall I was short 15 of my books and received 25 of someone elses. This has nothing to do with any recent Woolies troubles and is down to something seriously wrong with the supply chain, which if I am not the only one could damage Berts far more than any other issues.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 14:20
By Really?

Good to know that the big boys are dealing "normally" with Bertrams. However they don't seem to have made peace with at least one distributor as our books are not being supplied to Bertrams, who are still on stop.
Perhaps this is a case of one rule for those distributors with clout and another for the rest. Spin seems to be alive and well in Norfolk.

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 14:20
By Gary Green

Frustrated.To whom are you referring in your comment about DVD/CD suppliers?

Thu, 27/01/2011 - 14:20

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