Taylor & Francis Buys Haworth Press

by Michael Rogers -- Library Journal, 9/12/2007 10:52:00 AM

LJ has learned that Taylor & Francis (T&F) has purchased Haworth Press for an undisclosed sum. The deal was handled quietly with little information provided to the press. A formal announcement was posted to Haworth’s homepage, and its authors received letters informing them of the acquisition. The letter in part states: “all Haworth journals and books have been purchased by [T&F]. The agreement signed August 1 is scheduled to take effect in approximately 30 days pending regulatory approval.” T&F publishes roughly 1800 new books annually with a backlist in excess of 20,000 specialist titles, as well as over 1200 scholarly and academic journal titles to which 194 Haworth journals will be added. After the formal closing purchase agreement, all Haworth’s employees will be transferred over as Taylor & Francis employees. Bill Cohen, Haworth’s publisher and editor-in-chief, who has been named a specialist editor/publisher for T&F, said on the homepage announcement that “in order to grow, Haworth needed a consistently creative internet platform that could compete successfully with other platforms of major houses. Informaworld at [T&F] was most attractive in this sense.” Cohen added that the move also was motivated by the need for “digital permanency,” and believes the purchase is an opportunity “for increased access to libraries through consortia deals and stronger journal packages…and both subscription and intellectual growth.”