Emmelibri

What Emmelibri does

Emmelibri S.r.l. is an Italian industrial holding company, headquartered in Assago (Milan), that coordinates all distribution and commercial activities of the Gruppo Messaggerie. Founded in 2008 as a spin-off from Messaggerie Libri and operating under the direction of parent Messaggerie Italiane S.p.A., it functions as Italy's largest book distribution platform, with claims that nearly 50% of books distributed in Italy transit through its logistics infrastructure. The group serves publishers, bookstores, stationers, large-scale retail operators (GDO), public and university libraries, and end consumers, reaching over 4,000 bookstores, 6,000+ wholesale customers, 2,400 GDO points of sale, and 800+ publishing houses (Messaggerie Libri).

The group's operations rest on four logistics platforms totaling over 113,000 sqm: the 80,000 sqm Città del Libro in Stradella (operated by C&M Book Logistics, a 50-50 JV with CEVA Logistics Italia, featuring TGW automation described as among the most modern in Europe), plus facilities in Carpiano (13,500 sqm), Landriano (14,000 sqm), and Brescia (6,000 sqm). Shipped volume is reported at 84 million pieces annually across Stradella, Carpiano, and Brescia. Technology assets include the Infolib ERP (400+ installations, 12,000 users, the most widely used publishing-sector management software in Italy), the Arianna+ teleordering system, the Fastlink web service for booksellers, a Lampi di Stampa print-on-demand platform using Rotomail digital printing, and an in-house Data Analytics platform serving internal and external clients.

Revenue is generated through a diversified B2B/B2C mix: transaction-fee distribution to bookstores (Messaggerie Libri), wholesale to 6,000+ customers with 250,000+ titles (Fastbook, Centro Libri), GDO distribution and merchandising in 2,400 points of sale (Opportunity, Opportunity Service), franchising fees and retail (160+ Ubik stores, 62 Libraccio stores, 3 LNT stores), e-commerce via the Stereo Online JV (ibs.it, lafeltrinelli.it, libraccio.it), library professional services (Leggere), subscription bibliographic databases and analytics (Informazioni Editoriali), ERP licensing (Alcor Sistemi/Infolib), and print-on-demand services (Lampi di Stampa). Group revenue is reported at €633 million with a stated 1,022 employees, supported by 15 offices/operational hubs and 545–588 servers. Leadership is centered on President & CEO Alberto Ottieri and Delegated Board Member Renato Salvetti, with board representation from the founding Mauri family.

Name

Emmelibri

Legal name

Emmelibri S.r.l.

Website

https://emmelibri.it

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Emmelibri S.r.l. is the Italian industrial holding of Gruppo Messaggerie, coordinating distribution, wholesale, retail, e-commerce, library services, and publishing software for Italy's largest book distribution platform, serving publishers, bookstores, GDO retailers, libraries, and end consumers with reported €633 million in group revenue.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Lucinasco

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Book Distribution Services: Distribution of books from publishers to bookstores through Messaggerie Libri network, reaching over 4,000 points of sale. Includes total fulfillment services, logistics, and returns management.
2. Wholesale Operations: Fastbook provides wholesale distribution to over 6,000 customers with over 250,000 titles. Centro Libri serves school textbook distribution. Revenue from bulk sales to bookstores and retailers.
3. GDO Distribution: Opportunity manages book distribution to 2,400 GDO points of sale including supermarkets, airports, and highway locations. Includes merchandising services.
4. Retail Franchising: Ubik franchising network with 160+ bookstores. Revenue from franchise fees and support services. Libraccio retail chain with 62 stores.
5. E-commerce: Stereo Online joint venture operates ibs.it, lafeltrinelli.it, and libraccio.it for direct consumer sales of books, eBooks, music, movies, and games.
6. Library Services: Leggere provides document supply, cataloging, online platforms, and shelf-ready services to public and university libraries.
7. Editorial Information Services: Informazioni Editoriali provides bibliographic databases (Alice, e-kitāb, Alibi), iBUK portal access, and sales data analytics to publishing industry.
8. Software Licensing: Alcor Sistemi's Infolib ERP software licensed to publishers and distributors, with over 400 installations and 12,000 users.
9. Print on Demand: Lampi di Stampa print-on-demand service for publishers to minimize inventory while ensuring availability.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels10 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Emmelibri is an industrial holding company that coordinates all distribution and commercial activities of the Gruppo Messaggerie, operating Italy's largest book distribution platform. It provides book distribution, wholesale, retail franchising, e-commerce, library supply, school textbook distribution, print-on-demand, and publishing software (Infolib) services to publishers, bookstores, large-scale retail, and end consumers through a network of specialized subsidiary brands.

Product overview

Emmelibri is an industrial holding company that coordinates all distribution and commercial activities of the Gruppo Messaggerie, operating as Italy's largest book distribution platform. The portfolio consists of multiple specialized distribution brands (Messaggerie Libri, C&M Book Logistics), wholesale brands (Fastbook, Opportunity, Centro Libri, Leggere, Stock Libri), retail brands (Ubik, Stereo Online, Libraccio, LNT), and service/technology brands (Emme Promozione, Informazioni Editoriali, GD Media Service, Lampi di stampa, Alcor Sistemi/Infolib). Internal shared services include Acquisti, Amministrazione, Controllo di Gestione, Data Analytics, Finanza, Gestione Clienti, Risorse Umane, Sistemi Informativi, and Logistics. This is a multi-brand portfolio structure where the holding provides centralized services while subsidiaries operate independently across distribution, wholesale, retail, and specialized publishing services segments.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Messaggerie Libri Distribution Distribution of editorial products from publishers to Italian bookstores. Messaggerie Libri is Italy's most important independent distributor of publisher products, serving 4,000+ points of sale and approximately 800 publishers with integrated total fulfillment services.
• Fastbook Wholesale Italian leader in wholesale distribution of publishing products with 250,000+ titles serving 6,000+ customers. Operates 5 physical wholesale points of sale (Bologna, Florence, Milan, Padua, Turin) and the Fastlink web service for ordering.
• Opportunity GDO Distribution Book distribution and merchandising services for large-scale retail (GDO), consumer electronics stores, airports, and highway locations. Manages book areas in 2,400 GDO points of sale nationwide, with 130+ merchandisers via Opportunity Service.
• Centro Libri School Textbook Wholesale Leader in wholesale distribution of school textbooks since 1976, managing relationships with approximately 6,000 bookstores and stationery shops from the Brescia distribution center.
• Leggere Library Services Specialized supplier of documentary materials to public and university libraries, offering cataloging, online platforms, and shelf-ready services. Includes the Biblioplus catalog.
• Ubik Franchise Bookstore Network Franchise retail network of Emmelibri with 160+ active bookstores in Italy. Provides member support, digital architecture, IO Lettore app, 200,000+ titles availability in 48 hours, and the Ubikcard loyalty program.
• Libraccio Retail Bookstore Chain Italy's largest chain of used and school books since 1979, present with 62 stores in 7 Italian regions. Specializes in new and used books, school textbooks, remainders, out-of-print books, rarities, stationery, DVDs, CDs, vinyl, and toys.
• LNT Retail Bookstores Three bookstores in the historic centers of Novara, Treviso, and Como representing a new editorial retail model with deep assortment and pleasant environments.
• Stereo Online E-commerce E-commerce platform operating ibs.it, lafeltrinelli.it, and libraccio.it for direct consumer sales of books, eBooks, music, movies, games, toys, and gifts. First Italian editorial e-commerce pole.
• Stock Libri Out-of-Print Distribution Specialized distribution of out-of-print books, managing approximately 35,000 titles from a 13,000 sqm logistics platform in Santarcangelo di Romagna.
• Infolib ERP Software Software for the book publishing sector, active since 1982. Infolib is the most widespread management software for publishers and distributors, with 400+ installations and 12,000 users, with integrated modules for copyright management, warehouse management, and VAT handling.
• Lampi di Stampa Print-on-Demand Print-on-demand publishing services, editing books on request including single copies using modern digital technologies (Rotomail partnership).
• Informazioni Editoriali Information Services Italian leader in information services for the book world since 1985. Manages the Alice database (Italian books catalog), e-kitaab (Italian e-books catalog), Alibi (Italian bookstores database), and the Arianna+ teleordering system.
• Emme Promozione Editorial Marketing Editorial promotion and marketing consulting services organized in five specialized divisions (Junior, Cult, Next, Network, Promocomix).
• GD Media Service Press Distribution
• C&M Book Logistics Operations Logistics operations at Città del Libro in Stradella, managing 80,000 sqm of automated book logistics with TGW automation, one of the most modern in Europe. Joint venture with CEVA Logistics Italia (CMA CGM).

Quantifiable outcome

• Nearly 50% of books distributed in Italy flow through Emmelibri platforms
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• C&M Book LogisticscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2021Joint venture (50-50) between Emmeffe and CEVA Logistics Italia (100% owned by CMA CGM, world leader in shipping and logistics) to manage logistics and transport activities of Messaggerie Libri within Città del Libro in Stradella. Approximately 80,000 sqm facility with TGW automation among the most modern in Europe.
• Gruppo FeltrinellicoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Stereo Online joint venture (70% Gruppo Feltrinelli, 27% Gruppo Messaggerie, 3% Gruppo Libraccio) creating first Italian e-commerce pole for editorial products. Combines Feltrinelli's cultural experience, IBS technological expertise, and Libraccio's school textbook knowledge.
• Effe 2005 (Gruppo Feltrinelli)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014EmmeEffe Libri joint venture (70% Emmelibri, 30% Effe 2005) where Emmelibri, Fastbook, and Opportunity companies were contributed, consolidating Emmelibri's role as undisputed sector leader.
• CMA CGM / CEVA LogisticscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCMA CGM subsidiary CEVA Logistics Italia is 50% partner in C&M Book Logistics joint venture, bringing world-class logistics expertise to Emmelibri's book distribution operations.
• RotomailminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner with Lampi di Stampa providing digital printing technology for print-on-demand services, combining Rotomail's technical expertise with Messaggerie Libri's distribution capabilities.
• Editrice BibliograficaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner50% partner with Messaggerie Libri in founding Informazioni Editoriali (1985) for providing information services to the book world.
• LibracciocoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLibraccio, acquired by Emmelibri in 2024, is Italy's largest chain of used and school textbooks with 61 bookstores and over 500 employees. Founded 1979. Emmelibri intends to diversify into school textbook sector where Libraccio is particularly present.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• KNV (Koch, Neff & Volckmar): Germany's leading book wholesaler and a central node in German-language book distribution. Comparable to Emmelibri's role in Italy as the dominant physical book distribution intermediary between publishers and bookstores in a single national market.
• Gardners Books: UK-based book wholesaler distributing English-language titles to retailers across the UK, Europe, and internationally. Closely comparable to Emmelibri's Fastbook wholesale arm, with similar B2B teleordering and broad-assortment wholesale model serving independent and chain retailers.
• Baker & Taylor: Major North American book distributor serving libraries, retailers, and publishers with wholesale and distribution services. Closely mirrors Emmelibri's multi-channel book distribution model across library (Leggere), wholesale (Fastbook), and retail fulfillment.
• Ingram Content Group: Largest book wholesaler and distributor in the United States, providing physical book distribution, print-on-demand, and publisher services to thousands of retailers. Directly comparable to Emmelibri's Messaggerie Libri/Fastbook wholesale distribution franchise in Italy at greater scale and broader geographic reach.

Broad incumbents

• Hachette Livre: French-headquartered global publishing group with integrated distribution operations. Comparable to Emmelibri in book supply-chain scope and European market presence, but operates as a publisher-distributor rather than a pure independent distribution platform.
• Amazon: Global e-commerce incumbent with a dominant Italian book and e-book retail presence on amazon.it. A key competitive headwind for Emmelibri's wholesale and retail economics and a direct competitor to Stereo Online (in which Emmelibri holds 27%).
• Mondadori Group: Italy's largest book publisher with integrated retail (Mondadori Store), direct-to-consumer, and school textbook operations. Comparable to Emmelibri on the Italian multi-channel book market and a key customer through Messaggerie Libri's distribution of Mondadori titles.

Regional players

• Giunti Editore: Italian publishing and bookstore chain with school textbook and generalist book operations comparable to Emmelibri's school segment (Centro Libri/Libraccio) and Ubik retail. Operates primarily in Italy, making it a regional rather than direct competitor given different business model emphasis.
• Bertrand Livreiros: Iberian (Portugal/Spain) bookstore chain with physical and e-commerce operations. Comparable in retail and e-commerce book distribution to Emmelibri's Ubik franchising and Stereo Online, but operates in a different geographic market.

Others

• Gruppo Feltrinelli: Italian book retail and cultural products operator; Emmelibri's 30% JV partner in EmmeEffe Libri and counterparty in the 27%-held Stereo Online e-commerce JV. Comparable on retail and e-commerce but functions as a partner rather than a competitor in the distribution value chain.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Emmelibri