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Rep forces Compass Independent Book Sales and Derek Searle Associates are merging to create a new independent sales company, Compass DSA.
Derek Searle, who will head up the new firm along with colleague Bob Cripps and Compass's Alan Jessop, said the move was a "sign of the times." He added: "There has been an awful lot of consolidation out there and a focus on the key accounts. The fact is a rep in the field just isn't able to bring in as much sales as a few years ago. So we are committed to building even better relationships with key accounts, but I still believe it is important to keep salaried reps on the road.
"Compass DSA hopes to have a strengthened key accounts team as well as an expanded sales force of salaried reps across the UK. Its sales administration unit will be based in Slough, and it will retain a small office in Chiswick. The merger is effective from 1st April. DSA's client list includes Summersdale and Bonnier Books, while Compass's clients include Carlton and Alma Books. Compass's academic rep force, Compass Academic, is not part of the merger.