Educational Development Corporation: Nurturing Young Minds Through Literature
Educational Development Corporation (EDC), established in 1965, stands as a prominent figure in children's book publishing and direct sales. With a rich history and a commitment to fostering a love of reading in young minds, EDC has carved a unique niche in the industry. From its humble beginnings developing supplemental curriculum material for schools to its current status as a leading publisher and direct seller of children's books, EDC's journey is a testament to its adaptability and dedication to its mission.
A Dual Approach: EDC Publishing and Usborne Books & More
EDC operates through two distinct yet complementary segments: EDC Publishing and Usborne Books & More. This dual approach allows EDC to reach a broad audience through diverse channels, maximizing its impact on the world of children's literature.
EDC Publishing: Reaching Retailers and Wholesalers
The EDC Publishing segment focuses on marketing products to retail accounts. These accounts encompass a wide range of establishments, including book, toy, and gift stores, school supply stores, and museums. To reach these retailers, EDC utilizes a multi-faceted approach, employing commissioned sales representatives, trade and specialty wholesalers, and an internal telesales group. This comprehensive strategy ensures that EDC's publications are readily available to consumers through various retail outlets.
Usborne Books & More: Direct Sales and Personalized Service
The Usborne Books & More (UBAM) segment takes a more direct approach, selling its product line through a nationwide network of independent sales consultants. These consultants utilize a combination of direct sales, home shows, and book fairs to connect with customers and promote EDC's publications. This personalized approach allows for a more intimate and engaging experience, fostering a sense of community and providing customers with tailored recommendations. The home selling division, Usborne Books and More (UBAM), being added in 1986.
A Legacy of Quality: Usborne and Kane Miller
EDC holds the exclusive trade publishing rights to a line of children’s books produced in the United Kingdom. EDC is the American co-publisher of the UK-based Usborne Books and owns Kane Miller, which publishes children’s literature from around the world. These imprints are known for their high-quality content, engaging illustrations, and educational value.
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Usborne Books: Engaging and Educational
Usborne Books are renowned for their interactive and visually appealing format. Covering a wide range of topics, from science and history to art and music, Usborne Books are designed to spark curiosity and foster a love of learning in children of all ages.
Kane Miller: Bringing International Voices to Young Readers
Kane Miller focuses on publishing children's literature from around the world. By introducing young readers to diverse cultures and perspectives, Kane Miller promotes understanding, empathy, and a broader worldview.
Adapting to Growth: Overcoming Technological Challenges
Like many successful companies, Educational Development Corporation (EDC) experienced growing pains as its popularity soared. Due to their rapid growth, EDC’s customer demand increased faster than their legacy technology could adapt. The company's legacy technology struggled to keep pace with the increasing demand, leading to significant challenges in order fulfillment. With a maximum output capacity of 6,000 orders a day, a backlog developed, amounting to over 40,000 orders. This backlog not only frustrated customers but also threatened to hinder EDC's continued growth.
The Deposco Solution: Streamlining Operations and Boosting Efficiency
To address these challenges, EDC turned to Deposco, a leading provider of supply chain solutions. The implementation of Deposco's platform had a transformative impact on EDC's operations, significantly improving efficiency and reducing costs.
Reducing Fulfillment Costs and Improving Labor Efficiencies
Deposco was also able to reduce fulfillment costs by over 77%, saving the company hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. EDC saw increases in labor efficiencies, allowing them to go from three shifts to two shifts per day for warehouse employees. This reduction in shifts not only lowered labor costs but also improved employee morale and work-life balance.
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Scaling for Success: A Top 10 Fastest-Growing Retailer
The Deposco solution directly impacted EDC’s ability to scale, and in 2018, EDC was named a Top 10 Fastest-Growing Retailer in the US by Internet Retailer. This recognition is a testament to the effectiveness of Deposco's platform and its ability to support EDC's continued growth.
A Commitment to Quality and Innovation
EDC’s current catalog contains over 2,000 titles, with new additions semi-annually. Both Usborne and Kane Miller products are sold nationally by over 31,000 direct sales consultants, as well as in 4,000 book, toy and specialty stores. This vast network ensures that EDC's publications are accessible to children and families across the country.
Tulsa, OK: Home of Educational Development Corporation
The company was founded on August 23, 1965 and is headquartered in Tulsa, OK. From its base in Tulsa, EDC continues to expand its reach and impact, bringing the joy of reading to children around the world.
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