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November 23, 2021
Lightning Source® and the Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) have announced the opening of a new, major print-on-demand facility in the Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone (SPC Free Zone).
Lightning Source Sharjah is a joint venture between Lightning Source LLC, a part of Ingram Content Group(Ingram), and SBA. It will provide print-on-demand and distribution services for publishers and retail channels across the Middle East and Gulf regions. Its presence will expand access to content and enable publishers to meet consumer demand more rapidly in the area and is one of the first, large-scale print-on-demand operations in the Middle East.
HE Ahmed bin Rakkad Al Ameri, Chairman of the Sharjah Book Authority, said, “SPC Free Zone is pleased to partner with Lightning Source in creating this print-on-demand facility. It represents an important addition to the free zone’s operational capabilities and will offer publishers, retailers and other stakeholders significant opportunities to expand their access to books and content, as well as their outreach into regional markets. The establishment of Lightning Source Sharjah, Ingram’s first print-on-demand facility in the region, is indicative of the strategic opportunities Sharjah provides to publishing business in the region, and also firmly reflects on the emirate’s leading status on the global cultural stage.”
“We have long enjoyed a strong partnership with the Sharjah Book Authority and are excited about the opportunity this new venture brings for Sharjah, Ingram and the broader Middle East and Gulf region,” said John Ingram, Chairman of Ingram Content Group. “I would also like to personally thank His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi for allowing us to be part of this important initiative in Sharjah. Print-on-demand is fuelling the modern-day publishing industry, making the digital and physical distribution of diverse content across different languages and regions seamless. This new facility will bring these world-class innovations to scale in the Middle East in a way that will benefit the publishing world and consumers alike.”
Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone, which opened in late 2017, spans over 40,000 square metres and is a permanent facility, housing translators, distributors, printers and publishers from the U.K., the U.S., India, China, and a host of other countries. It is open 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
Sharjah is also home to the Sharjah International Book Fair, one of the top three book fairs in the world, and has earned global recognition for fostering an environment that nurtures reading and learning.
“The creation of this facility is a significant development for the book trade within this region. It will bring pioneering technology and innovation to the forefront of meeting consumer demands in a rapidly growing and important part of the world,” said David Taylor, Ingram SVP for Content Acquisition International. “Ingram works with tens of thousands of publishers from around the world and is trusted with many millions of their titles in our Lightning Source print on demand supply model. The Sharjah operation will be an additional distribution option for our publishers and there is great excitement about the potential. We are excited to work with our publishers, retailers and others to enable them to use the power of print-on-demand to facilitate global distribution in powerful new ways through this joint venture.”
About Ingram Content Group | www.ingramcontent.com
The world is reading, and Ingram Content Group (“Ingram”) connects people with content in all forms. Providing comprehensive services for publishers, retailers, libraries and educators, Ingram makes these services seamless and accessible through technology, innovation, and creativity. With an expansive global network of offices and facilities, Ingram’s services include digital and physical book distribution, print-on-demand, and digital learning. Ingram Content Group is a part of Ingram Industries Inc. and includes Ingram Book Group LLC, Ingram Publisher Services LLC, Lightning Source LLC, Ingram Library Services LLC, Tennessee Book Company LLC, Ingram Content Group UK Ltd. and Ingram Content Group Australia Pty Ltd.
About Sharjah Publishing City Free Zone | www.spcfz.com
We are committed towards offering our investors with exceptional services by understanding their needs and delivering them with superior quality products and services. SPC Free Zone’s objective is to create a seamless and lucrative platform for the global publishing and printing industry, with an array of many other benefits. The SPC Free Zone envisages the introduction of excellent infrastructure for offices and storage services, along with state-of-the-art equipment, logistics, connectivity, and is a one-stop hub for the industry needs.
About Sharjah Book Authority | www.sba.gov.ae
Sharjah Book Authority (SBA) was launched in 2014, under an Emiri decree by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. SBA's mandate includes enhancing investment in creative industries, building a platform for culture and knowledge exchange between people, highlighting the importance of books in today's multimedia world, and supporting the children's book industry.
Media Contact:
For Ingram: Zach Hunt, The Strategy Group, +001.615.321.3110, zach@tsgnashville.com
