Editoria, polo da 250 milioni per l’ingrosso librario

XL, a joint venture formed from an agreement between EmmeEffe Libri and Mauro Padovani, along with the Portesani family of Centro Libri, has been granted a net revenue of approximately 250 million euros to strengthen the bulk distribution of schoolbooks. This operation combines two specializations: supplying educational texts to large distributors and serving libraries and bookstores.

EmmeEffe Libri will hold 51% of XL, with Messaggerie contributing 70% and Feltrinelli 30%. Padovani will own 40%, while the Portesani family will have the remaining 9%. XL will gain full control of Txt and Centro Libri, the latter being already owned by EmmeEffe Libri at 51%. The venture's establishment requires Antitrust approval.

The 250 million euro forecasted revenue is for the 2026 period. Alberto Ottieri, president and CEO of Emmelibri, will chair XL, while Padovani will serve as the CEO. Riccardo Portesani, CEO of Centro Libri, will join the board. The main growth strategy of Messaggerie Group in the variety and schoolbook market involves joint ventures with major market players.

This new venture, formed with Mauro Padovani's Txt and the Portesani family's Centro Libri, will further solidify a strategic sector. The industrial logic aims to increase investment capacity, optimize stocks, and enhance service in an activity marked by a concentration of school orders, particularly between June and October. The wholesale simplifies the relationship between retailers and publishers, pooling supplies, managing assortments, and availability.

This aggregation aims to make this transition more efficient in a market that, in the case of schoolbooks, must also contend with demographic decline forecasts. Txt, founded in 1997, delivers five million books annually and operates a logistics platform of 14,000 square meters in Ferrara, housing 2.5 million volumes and high-automation machinery.

Services include school textbook coverings, personalization, and single-student packaging. Centro Libri, founded in Brescia in 1976, operates nationally through "Leggere," providing books and services, including to libraries. Padovani and Portesani express enthusiasm for the project, acknowledging the unique and complementary skills of both companies.