LPC Group, which distributes comic and manga trade paperbacks and hardcovers to the book trade,has outsourced its logistics to Client Distribution Services (CDS) and is closing its Chicago warehouse.  LPC's sales, executive management, and publishing operations are headquartered in Connecticut.  Among LPC's graphic novel and manga publishing clients are Dark Horse Comics, Tokyopop, Image Comics, Oni, Top Shelf, AiT/Planet Lar, and Comics One.  LPC also formerly distributed Marvel's books to the bookstore channel; that distribution is currently handled by Diamond Comic Distributors (see 'Diamond Moves into Bookstore Distribution'). 

 

CDS operates the former Random House distribution center in Jackson, Tennessee, a 300,000 square foot facility capable of shipping up to 50,000 orders per day.  Other CDS clients include Taschen, Virgin Books, Abbeville, and Lego. 

 

LPC client Dark Horse Comics was complimentary regarding the change.  VP-Marketing Michael Martens said of the move, 'We believe this is a good move for LPC.  They can focus on being a sales organization without the headaches of managing a remote warehouse.' 

 

Martens was also complimentary about LPC's impact on Dark Horse's bookstore presence following its switch from Penguin earlier this year (see 'Dark Horse Moves To LPC for Bookstores').  'We saw about a 40% increase in book store placement starting the first full month after the move from Penguin.  Sales increased on both front and back list titles.'