TDLC: ‘The dominant form of revenue for the book industry continues to be the sale of physical books’

In the lead-up to the 2025 Australian Book Industry Awards (ABIAs), Books+Publishing is in conversation with the event’s major sponsors about the status of the industry, what excites them about the future, and what they have to offer publishers, booksellers and readers. Emmanuel Bohlock, General Manager at TDLC, spoke with the publication.

This segment is supported by the event sponsors. 

The Distribution and Logistics Company is, as titled, a distribution and logistics company. For those unfamiliar with this part of the literary ecosystem, can you describe what that means?

At The Distribution and Logistics Company (TDLC) we provide an end-to-end solution for our clients; think of us as a vital link in a business’ supply chain. We receipt, store and ship stock on behalf of all our clients across Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand. We also provide back-office services such as processing orders, invoicing, debtor management and customer service. A one stop shop for all your distribution needs. 

Tell us an interesting fact that book industry folks don’t know about your company.

We not only service the book industry but also provide distribution services for some of the biggest music names and top selling video game brands in the world. So, in our warehouse you will find books sitting alongside vinyl, CDs and high-tech video games and accessories. We have something for everyone in our shed, young and young at heart. 

The industry has changed at breakneck speed in the last 10 years, with new formats emerging and new opportunities for publishing and reading. In your experience, what has been the biggest challenge for TDLC? And what has been the biggest opportunity?

As we were new to the book publishing sector, the biggest challenge for TDLC was coming up to speed on how the book trade does business. However, with the extensive knowledge and expertise of the TDLC team, we quickly came to realise that there are a lot of similarities between books and the home entertainment industry, so most of our systems and process were already in line with what was required. In terms of opportunities, I believe every day is an opportunity for TDLC to prove that we can provide an excellent level of service at a very competitive price. 

Security around high-value titles is not often discussed in terms of distribution and getting the book to where it needs to be. Can you speak to the security requirements and what that means for your team? 

In a world where, for some people, wealth is measured by the number of followers or clicks on links, the digital age has made every screen a potential security threat. At TDLC, security is not just about protecting the theft of physical stock but also ensuring our clients IP is safe and sound. We, therefore, have a high level of physical and cyber security on site due to our client requirements and some very high value licenses. We have multiple security guards on patrol, CCTV recording various points across the entire facility, back to base monitoring, security card access, metal detectors, wand scans, a ban on mobile phones, GPS tracking of trucks carrying high-value or in-high-demand stock and other preventative measures to minimise lose. 

Distribution has in-built energy requirements; how do you balance sustainability with the realities of warehousing, packing, and distribution?

At TDLC we are focused towards doing our part to protect the planet and minimise our carbon footprint. We have a solar panel system on the roof of the warehouse that provides up to 60% of our energy requirements, we utilise a 100% renewable green energy provider, electric forklifts, turrets and equipment, sustainable packaging, void fill and paper/cardboard recycling. We also strive to partner with other companies that have the same commitment to sustainability such as TGE, our freight provider, who has also recently introduced an electric truck initiative as part of their sustainability program.  

When people think about working in publishing, the publishing houses get all the attention. What are the qualities and skills that can build a career in your area of the industry? And what opportunities exist for potential professionals?

Just like any other large business, a distribution facility has many different departments utilising individuals with skill sets across numerous disciplines. If I was to name but a few must have skills, I would say the ability to work well with various internal and external stakeholders, excellent communication skills, the ability to manage and prioritise multiple projects and most importantly excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to think on one’s feet. 

What do you think the next five years hold for the book industry in Australia and Aotearoa New Zealand?

I believe the next five years for the book industry just like most industries will be categorised by many factors, such as the proliferation of AI, the growth of digital formats, the increasing role of social media and an ever-increasing focus on sustainability. If I could drill down on one aspect being the future of physical books vs digital, as a distributor I am pleased to see that, unlike some of our other clients in the home entertainment sector, the dominant form of revenue for the book industry continues to be the sale of physical books which is driven by people’s preference for physical over digital. I believe that this will continue over the next five years with digital formats growing, but at a slower pace than other industries.       

What book from Australia or Aotearoa New Zealand have you most recently enjoyed?

I like to think of myself as a bit of a foodie (mainly eating, but sometimes cooking) and I am constantly perusing cookbooks, reading recipes and learning about the origin of certain dishes. I do enjoy walking through the warehouse where we currently have many Hardie Grant cookbooks on display and you can often find me flicking through pages, most recently Josh Niland’s The Whole Fish Cookbook.  

The Australian Book Industry Awards are presented for achievements in bringing Australian books to readers. This year marks the event’s 25th anniversary.

Books+Publishing is the Australian book industry’s number-one source for news, opinions, pre-publication reviews, jobs, and advertisements.

Category: ABIA