Largest Book Manufacturers -- Best Sellers List

Then, this past summer, Von Hoffmann was acquired by Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. (KKR), linking the company with two other KKR holdings—Jostens and Arcade Marketing—to create a conglomerate with combined sales in excess of $1.4 billion.

Lane notes that publishers are also looking to printers to help manage inventory. "Most publishers are focusing on shorter press runs and more frequent turns and replenishments," he explains. RR Donnelley's response has been to focus on 'Inventory Management Solutions' (IMS), according to Lane. Digital manufacturing and the focus on low inventory have come into play to the extent, he adds, "where we'll even produce an entire soft-cover product on the digital press."