Vine House Distribution Ltd was set up in late 1987 by Richard Squibb, based on 20 years' experience in the sales, promotion, distribution and accounting functions of the book trade, including lengthy stints with Management Computing Services, a London computer bureau specialising in systems for Publishers and, in the late '70s and early '80s, Biblios Publishers Distribution Services Ltd.
The basic objective of Vine House is still to provide an efficient, personal, promotion-minded and cost-effective distribution service for small and medium-sized Publishers, from both the UK and overseas, in a pro-active manner which keeps pace with the many on-going developments in the book trade.
The basic range of services is: Representation, Invoicing, Warehousing, Distribution, Cash Collection, Credit Control, Sales, Stock & Dues Reporting, Publicity & Promotion, Book Trade Mailings.
In addition, whilst the two basic facilities of representation and distribution have remained the core of the business, several new services and refinements have been added. These include Mail Order Fulfilment and an 'On Consignment' scheme for overseas Publishers. We are always open to suggestions for others and continue to develop a presence on the Internet.
The purpose of these notes is to provide outline details of the facilities available, so that those of interest can form the basis of discussion with a specific Publisher's requirements in mind.
In addition, it may be helpful to comment on some of the underlying methods of operation.
Firstly, good representation is the key to selling books into book trade outlets and this is achieved by utilising experienced representatives working to established and proven routines. These are based on a three-month call cycle covering book trade outlets at head office and retail level throughout the UK, Eire and the rest of Europe. We also continuously disseminate information by means of regular and targeted mailings to key and trade customers and specialist outlets throughout the world, which has proved highly successful.
Secondly, efficiency is achieved by utilising extensive and fully equipped warehousing and despatch facilities: these are sited in Sussex and ample spare capacity is available for expansion. All orders are fulfilled within 2 days of receipt, with deliveries averaging 2 working days.
This function is allied to the latest computerised invoicing and sales, stock and dues reporting system, developed specifically for book distribution. The system holds the records of over 10,000 accounts worldwide. Accounting activities include strict adherence to efficient cash collection procedures and tight credit control, in accordance with normal trade terms.
A third key aspect is flexibility. All Publishers are different, even if basic activities are common, and Vine House endeavours to personalise its services through a sound knowledge of each Client's particular requirements and aspirations. In order to achieve this, we communicate regularly with our Publishers, especially in respect of sales, forthcoming titles and promotional opportunities.
With sound distribution procedures it is also surprisingly easy, provided the size of the operation is not allowed to exceed manageable proportions, to provide a range of services that cater for all types of publishing, including general, specialist (see list of subjects on page 5), medical, academic and so on; indeed, this is a desirable mix from our point of view.
Above all, whatever range of services we provide for a Publisher, the underlying aim is to hold them together as a cohesive unit so that customers receive a comprehensive and responsive service.
Finally, the basis for our charges is a percentage of turnover, which we believe carries the right emphasis and also simplifies the Client's budgeting exercise. We will be only too pleased to provide details of these charges, but need to know details of particular requirements and volumes in order to be able to do so.
