I'm optimistic with the deal. I would imagine that the acquisition required an an examination of profitability and growth potential, and since Workmans' portfolio consists of numerous other small publishing houses that specialize in enthusiast niche publications, that the opposite may actually happen - more opportunities like better distribution, asset sharing and a better margin. There may be more opportunities for more specific gardening books. Look at it this way: why would a publishing house be interested in a company like Timber? They would benefit nothing by reducing titles or becoming more generic. They had to have looked at the deal as an opportunity. To acquire specialty publisher to balance out their portfolio of other specialty and novelty books. In my business (the toy industry) we acquire many companies, some are integrated, but if they have a consumer base, and are profitable, you leave it alone or manage it. I am no expert, but would imagine the publishing world to be no different, it certainly isn't over, Workamn's will most likely be acquired by someone else someday. To me, this just sounds as simple as it appears. The previous owner and founder has decided to sell, and Workman's bought it as part of an investment and growth strategy. Little happened with the Storey acquisition, and I would think, as long as Timber continues it's growth, not much will happen there. Matt Mattus Worcester, MA On 5/28/06 4:59 PM, "Blee811@aol.com" <Blee811@aol.com> wrote: > > In a message dated 5/28/2006 1:31:46 P.M. Eastern Standard Time, > jglatt@hughes.net writes: > > Lee, seeing as how Timber Press has been bought by Workman (who also > inhaled Storey) I'm just hoping Timber Press stays Timber Press, if you > know what I mean. > > > ===>I hope so too, Judy, but it's a worry. The new owners will most likely > be looking at how to make Timber more profitable, which probably means the > end > of the specialty genera titles, which have never sold in great volume. > Bill Lee > _______________________________________________ > pbs mailing list > pbs@lists.ibiblio.org > http://www.pacificbulbsociety.org/list.php