Augsburg Fortress (AF), headquartered in Minneapolis, announced Tuesday the sale of its Canadian distribution division to David C Cook Distribution Canada (DCCDC). This news follows the Feb. 29 management buyout of DCCDC by Executive Director Greg Tombs and Financial Director Hardy Willms.

The Canadian distribution division has been resourcing Christian and general market resellers and the church for over 30 years, and it will continue to provide a national, full-service sales, marketing and fulfillment operation. David C Cook’s resources will continue to be represented along with the other partners in Christian publishing, music, media, cards and gifts the organization already serves.

Beth Lewis, Augsburg Fortress president and CEO, commented on the sale of AF Canada.

“As both the church and the world of publishing change, we must change as well,” Lewis said. “Several months ago, we made the difficult decision to sell AF Canada allowing us to focus our limited human and financial resources on the creation of high-quality and innovative faith formation, worship, teaching and learning tools for Lutheran and other Christians in both Canada and the USA.”

Following that decision, Augsburg Fortress searched for potential buyers that would be able to maintain the service that Augsburg Fortress Canada had provided to its trade and church partners.

“We are pleased to announce the sale of AF Canada to the two senior leaders of an experienced Christian book, curricula, card and gift plus music and media distributor, David C Cook Distribution Canada (DCCDC)," Lewis said. "Greg Tombs and Hardy Willms are not only acquiring AF Canada but have just recently acquired DCCDC and will merge them into the largest Protestant church resource distribution firm in Canada. We are delighted that our church partners and trade customers will be served by this new but experienced Canadian firm.”

Tombs and Willms acquired David C Cook Distribution Canada Feb. 29. Tombs commented on both the buyout of DCCDC and the sale of AF Canada.

“Acquiring Augsburg Fortress Canada and merging it into our David C Cook Distribution Canada operations in Paris, Ontario is a perfect fit for our mission and strategy of providing excellent service to the trade, church and general markets in Canada with Christian resources,” Tombs said. “We are also welcoming some of the Augsburg Fortress Canada staff to our current Cook Canada staff as we continue to serve the customer and supplier base Augsburg Fortress Canada served so well. We at David C Cook Distribution Canada are very excited to now offer products from Abingdon Press, Abbey Press, Penguin Random House (WaterBrook Multnomah) and Westminster John Knox Press in addition to the Augsburg Fortress lineup of resources as a result of acquiring the lines that Augsburg Fortress Canada represented. Furthermore, we are looking forward serving our new Canadian church partners, namely the Anglican Church of Canada, the United Church of Canada and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Canada.”

Tombs continued: “During this transition, we remain committed to each and every customer and client and will ensure the high level of customer service everyone has come to expect from David C Cook Canada. Every effort has been made to make this transition as seamless and successful as possible. A strategic plan looking forward to 2020 is already being executed. ... Hardy and I are delighted to have the opportunity to continue to serve the CBA trade, general market and churches in Canada with the books, curriculum, music, cards, gifts and church supplies that Canada needs for ministry and discipleship. We are pleased that we will continue to have a great working relationship with David C Cook as we continue to distribute their curriculum, books and Integrity music in Canada.”

The transition of product and personnel will take place this week and David C Cook Distribution Canada expects minimal interruption of service during this period. For the forseeable future, Augsburg Fortress Canada customers may continue to use the afcanada.org website and toll-free number they now use.

Doornbos expressed confidence in the new management.

“Greg and Hardy have been competent leaders over the years,” Doornbos said. “They have a real passion for the dissemination and distribution of Christian resources for the long haul. We are confident that this purchase by Greg and Hardy will result in a long-term continuation of their effective service to the Canadian market.”

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