Stewart House Expands Into the U.S.

Stewart House Publishing Inc., formerly a division of McClelland & Stewart, has opened an office in Indianapolis, Ind., with the hopes of expanding its distribution channels into the U.S. marketplace. To spearhead that move, the Toronto-based sales and marketing organization named Kenneth T. Proctor as executive v-p and publisher. Proctor, who will be based in Indianapolis, was recently v-p of business development for EoExchange, a San Francisco–based Internet company. Previously, Proctor worked in the United States and Canada with the Thomson, Macmillan and Prentice Hall organizations.

"Ken's experience and accomplishments in the publishing industry are a great addition to the pedigree of professionals at Stewart House," said president and CEO Ken Thomson. "His broad range of skills, experience and contacts will open many doors for us in the U.S."

Stewart House also established its own distribution center in Canada by taking over Fitzhenry & Whiteside's 76,000-square-foot operation in Markham, Ontario. Fitzhenry & Whiteside will become SHDS's first client, although both companies will retain separate customer service and accounts receivable facilities.

Fitzhenry & Whiteside's president, Sharon Fitzhenry, said the facility was too large for its needs. F&W plans to place greater focus on its publishing, sales and marketing. Canbook Distribution, Stewart House's current distributor, will continue to receive orders for F&W through May 31, 2001, and will process returns through August 31, 2001.