Books West uses VC funds to fuel expansion

BOULDER – Local book distributor Books West has received a round of funding from Denver-based investment firm Kestrel Ventures LLC that will be used to fuel the 4-year-old company’s expansion plans.

Kestrel Ventures specializes in small- and mid-sized private companies across the United States. The companies would not reveal how much capital was invested in Books West, but the company is planning to use the funds to support growth, efficiency and customer service initiatives.

Books West also has plans to upgrade its operations facilities and systems and will offer its suppliers expanded fulfillment services, inventory storage and management, order taking, product picking/packing, shipping and returns, according to a Kestrel press release. Funds also will be used to support specialty and regional title-base growth.

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“This influx of capital from Kestrel will enable us to serve our customers even better with increased efficiencies and innovative service initiatives,´ said Books West Founder David Rich.

But Kestrel isn’t just assisting with capital. The venture firm’s principals, Bart Crawford, David Edinger and James Kingdon, joined the existing Books West management team in early May.

“Kestrel Ventures is pleased to have the opportunity to help build on Books West’s success,´ said Crawford in the release. “In addition to enhancing operations and service, we are interested in exploring complementary and supplementary transactions in the book and fulfillment industries.”

Founded in 1996, Books West specializes in distributing Western and Southwestern regional titles. The company distributes to booksellers in the eight Rocky Mountain states, including independent trade bookstores, regional and national chains, gift shops, museums, outdoor retailers and national park visitor centers. The company stocks more than 4,000 titles and works with more than 400 publishers, ranging from major publishing houses to small and specialty title presses.