In a huge deal that consolidates the publishing industry's wholesaling segment, Follett Corp. has acquired Baker & Taylor for an undisclosed price. According to a release form Follett, the combined company will have sales of $3.6 billion and will offer “librarians, patrons, .....

educators and students unprecedented access to the best curated physical and digital content wherever learning and reading take place in the community.”

Follett, with annual revenue of $2.6 billion, is a provider of technology, services and print and digital content to PreK-12 libraries, schools and higher education institutions and is one of the country’s largest operators of college stores, while B&T has focused on distributing books, video and music products to public libraries and institutions. The purchase includes B&T's Bookmasters unit.

Follett said B&T will remain based in Charlotte, N.C., and will continue to operate as before, serving customers through its existing management team and business operations. George Coe, B&T CEO and president, will continue to head B&T, reporting to Ray Griffith, president and CEO of Follett.

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