Built on Books: How Our Publishing Roots Still Shape PBD Today

When our company was founded in 1976, we weren’t known as PBD Worldwide, but rather Professional Book Distributors. Our name said it all. We specialized in distributing books and printed materials for insurance companies and educational publishers across the country.

Nearly 50 years later, a lot has changed. Today, we support operations for over 100 brands in nearly every industry. Walk the aisles of our fulfillment centers and you’ll see a wide variety of products — from sporting goods and children’s toys to apparel, home décor, wellness items, and of course, books. As we’ve evolved with the e-commerce world, our roots in publishing remain at the heart of who we are.

A Legacy of Serving Publishers

Our earliest partnerships were built on precision, trust, and the understanding that every shipment mattered. From delivering textbooks and curriculum kits to distributing faith-based literature, insurance testing materials, and educational resources, we quickly became a reliable backbone for publishers, education-focused organizations and insurance agencies.

That experience taught us how to handle complex distribution models, peak seasonal volume, and customized packaging needs all with accuracy and care.

Evolving with Our Clients

As our clients grew and diversified, so did we. What began as a book-focused operation expanded into a full-service fulfillment provider offering DTC, B2B, and retail solutions. Our name evolved from Professional Book Distributors to PBD Worldwide to reflect our broader capabilities and growing footprint. But our commitment to the publishing world has never changed.

Why Publishers Still Choose PBD

• Expertise: Although it may sound simple, shipping books and printed materials requires care and precision. These items must be packed properly to avoid damage in transit. And because books are dense but not overly heavy, they fall into a tricky weight class. Oversized boxes or unnecessary fill can drive up costs. At PBD, we know how to strike the right balance. We offer some of the best freight discounts available for mid-weight shipments, and the average PBD client saves 20% on outbound freight when they make the switch.
  
  
• Proven B2B & Retail Fulfillment Solutions: We’ve worked with top book retailers including Barnes & Noble, Target, Amazon, and Walmart. We understand routing guides, packaging standards, and compliance requirements, helping publishers avoid chargebacks and get their products delivered quickly and accurately.
  
  
• Specialized Kitting, Subscriptions & Value-Added Services:
  From detailed curriculum kits to bundled book sets and recurring subscriptions, we provide the hands-on support publishers need. Whether you’re shipping one-time collections or monthly learning materials, our team ensures every shipment is carefully assembled, accurately packed, and delivered on time. We offer a variety of value-added services including bundling, shrink-wrapping, labeling, inserting, and custom packaging. These VAS services help bring your products to life and deliver a polished, professional experience to your customers.
  
  
• Inventory Accuracy: We maintain 99.8% inventory accuracy across our facilities because when it comes to learning materials, precision is non-negotiable.
  
  
• Same-Day Shipping: Orders received by 3:00 PM local time ship the same day, helping publishers meet school-year deadlines, launch dates, and promotional campaigns.
  
  
• Dedicated Support: Our approach to client support hasn’t changed since day one. While many 3PLs today rely on generic support reps and ticketing systems, we believe fulfillment is a true partnership. Every PBD client receives a dedicated account manager and support contact who knows your program inside and out. We believe strong relationships help both businesses thrive.
  
  
• Reporting & Analytics: While some things haven’t changed in our nearly 50-year history, our technology certainly has. We offer real-time visibility into your inventory, orders, and shipping activity through our advanced analytics dashboard. Our partners can quickly access key data, track performance, and make informed decisions without waiting on manual reports or digging through spreadsheets.
  
  
• Freight Brokerage Services: For larger shipments, our in-house freight brokerage team, Freight Scouts, helps secure the most cost-effective and reliable LTL and FTL options. We compare rates across carriers, handle scheduling and coordination, and pass the savings on to you. Whether you're sending pallets to a retailer or a bulk shipment to a school district, we make freight easy and cost-efficient.

• Nationwide Fulfillment Network: With five strategically located fulfillment centers across the U.S. - Atlanta, GA (2), Las Vegas, NV, Chicago, IL and Washington, D.C. - we can reach most major markets within 1 to 2 business days via ground shipping. This nationwide footprint helps publishers reduce transit times, lower shipping costs, and better serve customers across the country. We also offer competitive international shipping rates and have access to partner facilities outside the U.S. to support global distribution when needed.
  

Built for the Future, Rooted in the Past

Today, we serve brands across a wide range of industries, but publishers will always be a cornerstone of our story. The attention to detail, reliability, and flexibility that earned their trust over 48 years ago still defines how we operate today.

If you're a publisher or educational brand looking for a 3PL partner who understands your world, let’s connect!