EDC Buys Kane/Miller
by Jim Milliot -- Publishers Weekly, 12/4/2008 11:26:00 AM
Educational Development Corp. has acquired Kane/Miller Publishers for an undisclosed price. Based in La Jolla, Calif., Kane/Miller publishes translated children’s titles, including picture books, and has a backlist of about 150 titles. EDC president Randall White said he plans to retain the Kane/Miller name as an imprint and will keep its editorial offices in California under the direction of Kira Lynn, the daughter of the company’s founder. All other operations will be moved to EDC’s Tulsa offices, and EDC will assume distribution of Kane/Miller starting at the beginning of the year.
This is EDC’s first acquisition and the company will add Kane/Miller’s titles to its home party distribution arm, which accounts for over 70% of EDC’s sales. To date, EDC has only distributed the Usborne line through its party plan and retail channels. The purchase, White noted, allows EDC to control some titles of its own (its distribution of Usborne titles is through a long-term license). Among Kane/Miller’s current top titles, two are from Japan (Breasts and Everyone Poops), and one each from England (I Want My Potty), South Korea (New Clothes for New Year’s Day) and Australia (Samsara Dog).
The deal is expected to close by the end of EDC’s fiscal year in February, and White said he will then consider looking at another acquisition.
