Landmark collaboration integrates 105,000 titles and connects 500+ publishers with 200+ distribution partners through innovative API-driven infrastructure.
Frankfurt am Main/Culemborg, August 18, 2026 – Bookwire, a leading global technology and distribution platform for digital publishing, and CB (Centraal Boekhuis), the Netherlands' premier book distribution partner, today announced a major milestone in the long-term strategic partnership to further transform digital distribution in the Dutch publishing market.
CB has entrusted its digital distribution operations to Bookwire, migrating to Bookwire OS – the best-of-breed distribution ecosystem trusted by leading publishers worldwide. This move provides CB with access to Bookwire's high-performance platform, expanded functionality, and a significantly broader global distribution network, establishing a new standard for publisher-distributor collaboration in the European market.
Bookwire has onboarded CB's entire digital catalog – comprising 80,000 e-books and 25,000 audiobooks – onto its proprietary Bookwire OS platform, while taking over fulfillment services for CB's extensive distribution network. The collaboration serves more than 500 publishing partners and delivers content to over 200 distribution channels, including major platforms such as Kobo, the Dutch Royal Library (KB) and 130+ local webshops through the RDW network.
What makes this collaboration truly unique is its hybrid approach: Bookwire operates as the technology provider in the background, while publishers continue to work through CB's familiar system interface CB Online. This architecture ensures business continuity and a smooth transition for all publishing partners involved.
"Working with CB has allowed us to combine our global technology platform with deep local market expertise. This collaboration proves that innovation doesn't mean disruption – it means empowering partners to serve their publishers better while opening new opportunities for growth." said Christian Lindemann, COO at Bookwire.
The implementation was rolled out in carefully planned phases between August 2025 and July 2026, covering e-books and audiobooks across all distribution channels. For Bookwire, the project scope has been successfully completed. At CB, several operational steps will continue in the coming period, including the connection of additional audiobook platforms and the transfer of audiobook sales in webshops to the Bookwire infrastructure. These next steps will be handled within the regular cooperation between both companies.
This project represents a significant technical milestone for CB. Implementation of the new distribution platform gave us the opportunity to phase out legacy technology while at the same time giving pulishers cutting-edge distribution technology, making it possible to benefit from the rich feature set that Bookwire OS offers, both now and in the future explained Jeroen van Eijk, Director IT at CB.
The partnership unites CB's deep understanding of the Dutch publishing market with Bookwire's international technology expertise and global distribution capabilities. This combination creates new opportunities for Dutch publishers to expand their reach while benefiting from cutting-edge distribution technology.
„Our publishers and booksellers are at the heart of everything we do. This partnership with Bookwire strengthens our position as the leading distribution partner in the Dutch market while giving our 500+ publishing partners access to Bookwire's international network and advanced technology. They continue working with the CB interface they know and trust, but now benefit from enhanced distribution capabilities and new market opportunities. At the same time, the partnership creates a stronger digital foundation for booksellers and platforms, enabling them to benefit from reliable access, broader availability and future innovation" added Jochum Winkelman, Commercial Director at CB.
This partnership establishes a long-term strategic collaboration between Bookwire and CB to modernize the distribution infrastructure for the Dutch market and ensure sustained access to platform innovation and global reach. Both companies are committed to exploring further opportunities within each other's markets and continuing to innovate in service of their shared publisher and distributor communities.
About Bookwire
Bookwire was founded in Frankfurt in 2010 as a service provider for publisher distribution of eBooks and digital content. It has since become one of the leading international businesses in digital publishing technology. Bookwire currently employs 160 people in Germany, the UK, Spain, France, Brazil, Italy and the USA, who take care of more than 3,500 publishers in the fields of eBooks, audiobooks, podcasts and Print-on-Demand. The pioneering software "Bookwire OS – One Solution" delivers, analyzes, and markets around 1,500,000 eBooks and 300,000 audiobooks in all relevant distribution channels. In addition to the latest customer analytics and pricing technology, publishing clients of Bookwire also have access to individual support from account & marketing managers who look after the clients from end to end. Bookwire is led by the founders Jens Klingelhöfer (CEO) and John Ruhrmann (Co-CEO), as well as by Christian Lindemann (COO), and has branches in Barcelona, London, Milano, São Paulo, New York and Paris, in addition to the company headquarters in Frankfurt am Main and the "Digital Hub" in Dortmund.
About CB
CB stands for 150 years of experience in logistics, distribution, and supply chain services. As the leading distribution partner for the book industry in the Netherlands and Belgium, CB connects publishers, booksellers, online retailers, libraries, schools, and consumers through an integrated network of physical and digital services. CB distributes millions of physical books, e-books, and audiobooks each year, ensuring that content is available wherever and whenever readers want it. CB also offers logistics solutions for the Healthcare market. With more than 800 professionals CB contributes every day to the success of our customers.
For media inquiries, please contact:
Jan Stausberg
Corporate PR Manager Bookwire
jan.stausberg@bookwire.de
