Zeitfracht expands its print-on-demand offering: Strategic partnership with CPI
Erfurt, February 17, 2021 - Zeitfracht GmbH and the printing group CPI Germany are entering into a comprehensive strategic partnership. Print on Demand (PoD) activities at Zeitfracht will be expanded with high priority. CPI will take over PoD production at Zeitfracht GmbH's logistics site in Erfurt by the beginning of January 2022 at the latest.
The aim is to combine the core competencies of both companies. Zeitfracht GmbH's unique combination in Germany of publishing house delivery, cash assortment and CPI book production integrated into logistics will bring many advantages for publishers and retail customers.
In future, the new connection will enable a significant expansion of the digitally produced bar range titles. Publishers will also benefit from the joint delivery of PoD and stock titles.
Together with CPI, Zeitfracht will expand its product portfolio in the coming months, using the latest printing and binding technology. In addition to softcover books, hardcovers will also be produced in Erfurt.
"In an industry where deadlines from first print runs to POD are constantly shortening and have thus become a criterion for competitiveness, the expertise and performance of Zeitfracht allows us to respond even faster together to our customers' needs, thanks to the unique positioning of this partnership and the supply chain optimization we can achieve," explained Olivier Maillard, CEO of CPI Germany.
Thomas Raff, Managing Director of Zeitfracht GmbH: "We are delighted about the comprehensive partnership with CPI. Together we will continue to develop print on demand at the Erfurt site in the interests of our customers and exploit the potential associated with demand-driven book production. In doing so, we are relying on the expertise, quality and reliability that CPI has long demonstrated in its direct cooperation with publishers. Overall, this collaboration will enable us to significantly expand our offering for publishers and customers.
Production directly in logistics and close to the actual sales figures is also the most resource-efficient way of producing books. This production not only saves time, it also benefits the environment.
Thomas Raff, Managing Director of Zeitfracht GmbH. Photo: Zeitfracht
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Olivier Maillard, CEO of CPI Germany. Photo: CPI
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Zeitfracht GmbH logistics center in Erfurt. Photo: Zeitfracht
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About CPI:
With 15 production sites spread across 5 countries, CPI is one of the largest suppliers in the printing market in Europe. We produce books and printed products for major book publishers, large industrial and service companies and public institutions. With a heritage from a rich industrial past that includes prestigious printing companies such as Firmin-Didot in France (1713), Ebner&Spiegel in Germany (1817) and Mackays in England (1857), CPI was the first European printer to invest in digital inkjet technology. Today, in the midst of the digital transition, we combine our industrial strength with innovative automated solutions to deliver even greater value to our customers. CPI is the first European printer to invest in digital inkjet printing. Today, in the process of transitioning to digital printing, the company combines its industrial strength with innovative computerized solutions to create added value for its customers.
About Zeitfracht GmbH:
Zeitfracht GmbH is the leading logistics service provider for the book and media industry. It is part of the Zeitfracht Group, a family-owned company headquartered in Berlin. Zeitfracht GmbH employs around 1,600 people at its sites in Erfurt and Stuttgart. The company's logistics center in Erfurt is one of the largest and most modern media logistics facilities in Europe.