Download a pdf of our leaflets '8 Reasons Why Publishers Choose MDL' or Why Do Customers Choose MDL?

Macmillan Distribution (MDL) provides a distribution service for the Macmillan Publishing Group, as well as distribution services to an impressive list of over forty third party publishers. We employ 260 staff and our title file contains some 60,000 titles which are warehoused at our distribution centres in Swansea, Basingstoke and Eaton Socon. Together they offer large, effective warehousing of over 400,000 square feet which ensures the smooth operation of receiving, storing and distributing an extensive range of books.

We use Parceline as our carrier for parcels within the UK and Eire and UPS for our door to door European customers. With both carriers we have full track and trace facilities through an EDI link so that parcel information is transferred seamlessly into our invoice archive screens. This further allows us to do a variety of exception reporting and service level monitoring over and above that done by the carrier. Outside of Europe we use DHL for courier deliveries. Track and trace is available through the DHL web site.

MDL was the first publisher's distribution company to obtain ISO9000 certification, the internationally recognised standard for quality systems. The company underwent a rigorous internal audit of its systems and working practices by Lloyds Register Quality Assurance (LRQA). During this process the auditors praised our high levels of staff knowledge and conformance.  In 2003 we achieved ISO 9001:2000 standard.

To ensure that we maintain the highest quality of service, we are always keen to invest time and money in new systems and approaches. Consequently MDL uses the latest technology in distribution. Recent developments include radio data terminals in our warehouses and the latest version of Vista software which allows versatile Windows-based solutions and reporting.

We believe in making it as easy as possible to use MDL. Our Customer Services department is open from 8.30 am until 5.30 pm every weekday. Furthermore we also offer a good spread of electronic ordering facilities, to make electronic ordering as simple as possible. We are a committed user of both TeleOrdering and EDI as well as receiving orders via FTP.

Our highly sophisticated computer system has over 230 gigabytes of disk storage and allows MDL to keep on line sales details for over two years, and invoice and credit note images indefinitely. Our computer already talks to many major customers and suppliers using EDI (Electronic Data Interchange), reducing errors on transcription and enabling speedy processing. Most of our customers who use EDI receive a same day despatch service. Order acknowledgements sent by EDI provide customers with even more information about their orders.

MDL was the first book distributor to launch a PubEasy World Wide Web site on the Internet (www.macmillan-mdl.co.uk). Participating customers have access to our title data for price and availability queries, are able to check their past orders, and can place orders directly to our computer system. This provides them with 24-hour-a-day, 365 days-a-year access to data which would only otherwise be available by phoning our Customer Services department. This service is completely free of charge except for any local telephone call charges to the Internet provider.

A central PubEasy site allows access to the sites of all other participating book distributors as well as providing centralised price and availability and ordering. MDL, being the prime developer with Vista Computer Services, are still fully involved in the ongoing development of PubEasy. Future developments include 'PubEasy/Transact' which will provide ordering and query interfaces to customers' 'point of sale' computer systems and hotlinks to carriers' and shipping agents' web sites for enhanced delivery tracking and proof of delivery information.  See the latest PubEasy flyer.  Also available in Chinese, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish.

Bona fide book industry users wishing to access any PubEasy site simply need to register their company details to obtain a password and unique identification number. For more help send an email to www-mdl@macmillan.co.uk.

The recent implementation of Nielsen BookNet (originally known as WhitakerWeb) also offers online price and availability, as well as an ordering and tracking service which is provided by TeleOrdering.  Read more about using Nielsen BookNet (pdf file).  A demo is also available. (NB this may take several seconds to load.)

MDL has for the past few years been developing and refining a computerised returns system to automate the process of validating and authorising overstock return requests and subsequently generating the associated credit note. MDL have been working closely with KPMG in the PA/BA supply chain investigations and the MDL returns system has now been adopted as the basis for an industry-wide solution.

MDL’s customers can now submit return requests electronically by EDI or via the web using the free Batch.co.uk Online Book Requests web site.

As a leading advocate of using technology to improve our performance it was fitting that MDL were the first book distributor to be awarded the 'Supply Chain Performer of the Year' Nibbie at the 1999 British Book Awards.

If you are interested in working at MDL please see our recruitment page.