Book Printing--Mixed Results, Mixed Future

The Banta Book Group, based in Menasha, WI, reaped an all-time sales high in 1999, according to Dave Mead, vice president of sales and marketing. Banta also benefitted from the education boom, and sales to the general market were boosted in reaction to the company's 10-year manufacturing and distribution contract with IDG Books Worldwide. IDG is perhaps best known for its series of "...For Dummies" titles, of which there are more than 60 million in print on 450 different topics.