When asked, during Borders's conference call with analysts, what the retailer's relationship with the on-demand printer Sprout is, the answer was none. Indeed, the company was dissolved earlier this year when its founders were unable to secure additional financing. Sprout is trying to find a buyer for its technology and expects to have the issue wrapped up "one way or another" by the end of the year, cofounder Henry Topping said. Topping began a new job in business development at John Wiley last week. "It's nice to be at a company with positive cash flow," he remarked.
Borders had held a 19% stake in Sprout. A company spokesperson said Borders remains interested in the concept of print-on-demand, but thinks it can develop a program by using outside companies, such as Lightning Source, rather than needing to own a company.
