Profile: Courier Corp (CRRC.O)

Courier Corporation (Courier), incorporated on June 30, 1972, is a book manufacturer and specialty publisher. It has two business segments: book manufacturing and specialty publishing. The book manufacturing segment focuses on streamlining the process of bringing books from the point of creation to the point of use. It offers services from prepress and production through storage and distribution. The specialty publishing segment consists of Dover Publications, Inc. (Dover), Research & Education Association, Inc. (REA), and Federal Marketing Corporation, doing business as Creative Homeowner (Creative Homeowner). Dover publishes approximately 9,000 titles in 30 specialty categories ranging from literature to paper dolls, and music scores to clip art. REA publishes test preparation and study-guide books and software for high school, college, graduate students and professionals. Creative Homeowner is a publisher of books on home design, decorating, landscaping and gardening, and sells home plans. In January 2010, the Company acquired Highcrest Media LLC, a provider of software and solutions that streamline the production of customized textbooks for use in colleges, universities and businesses.

Book Manufacturing Segment

Courier’s principal book manufacturing markets are religious, educational and specialty trade books with products, including Bibles, educational textbooks and consumer books. Revenues from this segment accounted for approximately 85% of Courier’s consolidated revenues during the fiscal year ended September 26, 2009 (fiscal 2009). Courier’s book manufacturing segment produces hard and softcover books, as well as related services involved in managing the process of creating and distributing these products for publishers, religious organizations and other information providers. Its book manufacturing operations consist of both electronic and conventional film processing and platemaking combined with printing and binding of soft and hard cover books.

Specialty Publishing Segment

Dover is a publisher of books in approximately 30 specialty categories, including fine and commercial arts, children’s books, crafts, music scores, graphic design, mathematics, physics and other areas of science, puzzles, games, social science, stationery items, and classics of literature for both juvenile and adult markets, including the Dover Thrift Editionsa. Dover sells its products through American bookstore chains, independent booksellers, children’s stores, craft stores and gift shops, as well as a range of distributors worldwide. Dover also maintains www.DoverDirect.com, which is a business-to-business site for its retailers and distributors. REA publishes approximately 900 test preparation and study-guide titles. Product lines include Problem Solvers, Essentials, Super Reviews and Test Preparation books. Creative Homeowner is publisher and distributor of books, home plans, and related products for the home and garden retail book market.