With governors of both Illinois and New Jersey issuing shelter-in-place orders, IPG, located in Illinois, and Bookazine, based in the Garden State, said they remain open.
Both IPG and Bookazine, like the Ingram Content Group, are considered essential businesses. At Bookazine, the country’s second largest trade wholesaler, the company’s office staff is working from home, while its warehouse is continuing to operate with modified shifts. “Bookazine continues to follow all applicable guidelines of government and health officials, and is taking any and all precautions we can in our facilities to keep our staff healthy and safe,” Richard Kalman, Bookazine's chief operating officer, said. Kallman added that the company is monitoring the evolving retail situation as it continues to unfold and stands ready to help the best way they can.
Joe Matthews, CEO of distributor IPG, said it is operating its Chicago warehouse with a “strategic crew,” which is running split shifts. “IPG will remain open through these hard times as our obligation is to protect the businesses of the publishers we distribute and to support the national supply chain,” Matthews said in a statement.
The company’s physical office has been closed, and the staff is working from home. “The health and wellness of our partners and employees remains of utmost importance, and steps are being taken to guard all areas of IPG’s book business,” Matthews said. “Books are an essential part of American life.”
