Ulverscroft Group
Ulverscroft Group is a UK-based private publisher founded in 1964 that invented large print books and now produces large print, audiobooks, and digital content across multiple imprints, serving visually impaired readers, libraries worldwide, and general consumers via the uLibrary platform and The Reading House retail site.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1964
- HeadquartersLeicester, United Kingdom
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Ulverscroft Group does
Ulverscroft Group is a UK-based private publishing company headquartered in Anstey, Leicester, founded in 1964 by Fred Thorpe with the mission of restoring reading access to people with visual impairments. The company invented the world's first large print book format and has since built a multi-format publishing catalogue spanning large print books, unabridged audiobooks, and digital eBooks/eAudiobooks, organized across more than a dozen owned imprints (Aurora, Charnwood, ISIS, ISIS Audiobooks, Linford Romance, Linford Western, Magna Large Print, Magna Story Sound, Oakhill, Publisher Selections, Soundings). Beyond its owned catalogue, Ulverscroft distributes large print and audio editions on behalf of partner publishers including Penguin Random House, BBC Audio, Mills & Boon, Audible, W.F. Howes, Wavesound, Boldwood, Orion Publishing, and Orenda.
The group's commercial architecture rests on two digital platforms: uLibrary, a B2B distribution and lending platform that delivers eBooks and eAudiobooks to public and institutional libraries worldwide (integrated with library technology partner Bibliotheca), and The Reading House, a direct-to-consumer e-commerce storefront for retail purchase of large print and audiobook titles. Content distribution is structured around three primary go-to-market channels: one-time licensing through publishing imprints, recurring subscription-style distribution to libraries via uLibrary, and direct retail through the e-commerce storefront. The group also operates La Jolie Ronde, a children's language learning program, representing an adjacent vertical outside core accessible publishing.
Revenue mechanics are diversified across publishing sales, library digital distribution, and retail; pricing is not publicly disclosed. The Ulverscroft Foundation, launched in 1972 as a charitable arm, provides financial assistance to visually impaired individuals and organizations globally and reinforces the group's mission-driven positioning. Ulverscroft holds no external institutional ownership and operates as an independent private limited company (Ulverscroft Limited), with a global footprint claim and primary operations in the United Kingdom.
Ulverscroft Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Ulverscroft Group
- Legal name
- Ulverscroft Limited
- Website
- https://ulverscroft.co.uk
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1964
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Ulverscroft Group is a UK-based private publisher founded in 1964 that invented large print books and now produces large print, audiobooks, and digital content across multiple imprints, serving visually impaired readers, libraries worldwide, and general consumers via the uLibrary platform and The Reading House retail site.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Ulverscroft Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Accessible Book Publishing
- NAICS
- Book Publishers (513130), Book Publishers (51313), Other Publishers (51319)
- SIC
- Books: Publishing Or Publishing & Printing (2731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Accessible & Alternative Format Materials (Braille, Large Print, Audio, Tactile Graphics) (EDAGAMAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- eBook & Digital Reading Platforms (BPAMAJAK), E-book Subscription & Bundling Services (MPAJAMAB)
Keywords
Where Ulverscroft Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Leicester
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Ulverscroft Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Large Print Publishing: Publishing and selling large print books through multiple imprints including Aurora, Charnwood, ISIS, Linford Romance, Linford Western, Magna Large Print, Publisher Selections, and Soundings.
- Audiobook Publishing: Publishing audiobooks through imprints including ISIS Audiobooks, Magna Story Sound, Oakhill, and partnerships with BBC Audio, Penguin Random House Audio Publishing, W.F. Howes Ltd, and Wavesound.
- Library Distribution: Distribution of eBooks and eAudiobooks to libraries worldwide through uLibrary digital platform.
- Retail Sales: Direct-to-consumer sales of large print and audiobook titles through The Reading House e-commerce platform.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
Ulverscroft Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Ulverscroft Group is a private publisher specializing in large print books and unabridged audiobooks, founded in 1964 as the inventor of the large print book format. The company publishes through multiple imprints (Aurora, Charnwood, ISIS, Linford Romance, Linford Western, Magna Large Print, ISIS Audiobooks, Magna Story Sound, Oakhill, Publisher Selections, Soundings), distributes ebooks and audiobooks to libraries worldwide via the proprietary uLibrary digital lending platform, and sells large print and audiobook titles directly to consumers through The Reading House e-commerce store. Ulverscroft also runs the La Jolie Ronde children's language-learning program and partners with BBC Audio, Penguin Random House, Mills & Boon, Audible, and other publishers to distribute accessible format content.
Product overview
Ulverscroft Group operates as a comprehensive alternative format publishing company with a platform-plus-products architecture. The core offerings include large print books (the company's founding product since 1964) and audiobooks, supported by the uLibrary digital platform for library patrons and The Reading House retail site. The portfolio spans numerous imprints (Aurora, Charnwood, ISIS, Linford Romance, Linford Western, Magna Large Print, Magna Story Sound, Oakhill, Publisher Selections, Soundings) and distributed products from partners (BBC Audio, Boldwood, Mills & Boon, Penguin Random House Audio, W.F. Howes, Wavesound). The company also supports libraries through distribution services and runs La Jolie Ronde language learning program.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- uLibrary: Digital platform providing a secure and reliable app for library patrons to browse, borrow, and return eBooks and eAudiobooks.
- The Reading House
- Ulverscroft Foundation
Products and services
- Large Print Books Large print books with enlarged text formatting designed for readers with visual impairments or those who prefer larger print. Published through Ulverscroft's portfolio of imprints covering contemporary fiction, romance, western, general fiction, and literary classics across global markets.
- Audiobooks Unabridged audiobooks produced through Ulverscroft's audio imprints (ISIS Audiobooks, Magna Story Sound, Oakhill) and distributed to global listeners via Audible, BBC Audio, and other audiobook channels. Provides audio access to literature for visually impaired and print-disabled readers.
- uLibrary Digital Library Platform Secure digital application and platform for library patrons to browse, borrow, and return eBooks and eAudiobooks. Provides library systems worldwide with reliable digital lending infrastructure for accessible reading content.
- The Reading House Consumer Retail Platform Direct-to-consumer e-commerce retail site for Ulverscroft's large print and audiobook titles, designed to be simple to use for readers across all levels of vision, allowing customers to access the Ulverscroft catalog from home.
- La Jolie Ronde Language Learning Program Language learning program for children offered as part of Ulverscroft Group's educational services portfolio, distinct from the company's accessible publishing operations.
Companies that use Ulverscroft Group
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Ulverscroft Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature2 records
Ulverscroft Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Penguin Random HousecoreMajor publishing partner providing content for large print and audiobook distribution through Ulverscroft's imprints and library channels, including Penguin Random House Audio Publishing and Penguin Random House Children's.
- Mills & BooncoreLong-standing partnership for large print romance titles distributed through Ulverscroft's Linford Romance imprint and Magna Large Print.
- BBC AudiomajorAudiobook content partnership for distribution of BBC Audio titles through Ulverscroft's audiobook publishing network.
- AudiblemajorPartnership for audiobook distribution through Audible's platform.
- BibliothecamajorTechnology partner providing library digital infrastructure for eBook and eAudiobook distribution.
- Allison and BusbyminorPublisher whose titles are distributed through Ulverscroft's publishing network.
- The British LibrarymajorPartnership with The British Library for distributed publishing products.
- Romantic Novelists AssociationminorIndustry association partnership recognizing accessible publishing through RNA Accessible Awards.
- W.F. Howes LtdminorAudiobook publisher distributed through Ulverscroft's network.
- WavesoundminorAudiobook publisher distributed through Ulverscroft's network.
- BoldwoodminorPublisher whose titles are distributed through Ulverscroft's publishing network.
- Orion PublishingminorPublisher whose titles are distributed through Ulverscroft's publishing network.
- OrendaminorPublisher whose titles are distributed through Ulverscroft's publishing network.
- Ulverscroft FoundationcoreCharitable foundation launched in 1972 providing financial assistance and support to visually impaired people and organisations around the world.
- Investors In PeopleminorWorkplace accreditation for organizational practices and employee development.
- FSC (Forest Stewardship Council)minorSustainable forestry certification for paper and print materials.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Ulverscroft Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentEmerging players
- Tantor Media: US-based audiobook publisher owned by Recorded Books/RBmedia, producing unabridged audio for retail and library — comparable scale and library-channel focus to Ulverscroft's audio imprints.
- Storytel: Subscription audiobook and eBook streaming service with strong European and Nordic presence — an emerging competitor in the digital audiobook library and consumer space adjacent to uLibrary.
- Boldwood Books: Fast-growing UK independent publisher whose titles are distributed by Ulverscroft in large print — comparable trade catalog and overlapping customer base, illustrating both partnership and competitive overlap.
Broad incumbents
- OverDrive: Global digital library lending platform (and parent of Libby) — competes directly with uLibrary for library eBook/eAudiobook procurement contracts and is a structural competitor in Ulverscroft's most strategic digital channel.
- Audible (Amazon): The dominant global audiobook platform and a Ulverscroft distribution partner. While much larger, Audible competes with uLibrary in library lending and is a structural threat to audio margins and shelf space.
Direct peers
- W.F. Howes Ltd: A UK-based audiobook and large print publisher (now part of RBmedia) that produces unabridged audiobooks for libraries and retail — directly comparable in format, customer base, and library distribution focus.
- Bolinda Audio: Australia-based audiobook publisher and library distributor with international reach — closely comparable in audiobook production and library-channel focus.
- Blackstone Publishing: Independent US publisher producing audiobooks, large print, and print titles with a strong library distribution arm — competes with Ulverscroft across both audio and large print formats.
- Thorndike Press: A US-based large print imprint (Gale/Cengage) publishing hardcover large print editions of popular fiction and nonfiction — the closest direct competitor to Ulverscroft in alternative format trade publishing.
- Recorded Books: A major US audiobook and large print publisher with a strong library and institutional distribution channel, directly comparable to Ulverscroft's audio and library business.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Ulverscroft Group social profiles
Digital presenceUlverscroft Group compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
Ulverscroft Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Ulverscroft Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Ulverscroft Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Ulverscroft Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Ulverscroft Group
What does Ulverscroft Group do?
Ulverscroft Group is a private publisher specializing in large print books and unabridged audiobooks, founded in 1964 as the inventor of the large print book format. The company publishes through multiple imprints (Aurora, Charnwood, ISIS, Linford Romance, Linford Western, Magna Large Print, ISIS Audiobooks, Magna Story Sound, Oakhill, Publisher Selections, Soundings), distributes ebooks and audiobooks to libraries worldwide via the proprietary uLibrary digital lending platform, and sells large print and audiobook titles directly to consumers through The Reading House e-commerce store. Ulverscroft also runs the La Jolie Ronde children's language-learning program and partners with BBC Audio, Penguin Random House, Mills & Boon, Audible, and other publishers to distribute accessible format content.
Is Ulverscroft Group a public or private company?
Ulverscroft Group is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Ulverscroft Group founded?
Ulverscroft Group was founded in 1964. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Ulverscroft Group based?
Ulverscroft Group is headquartered in Leicester, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Ulverscroft Group make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Large Print Publishing is the primary driver. The others are audiobook Publishing, library Distribution and retail Sales.
Who are Ulverscroft Group's main competitors?
Emerging players on record are Tantor Media, Storytel and Boldwood Books. Broad incumbents are OverDrive and Audible (Amazon). Direct peers are W.F. Howes Ltd, Bolinda Audio, Blackstone Publishing, Thorndike Press and Recorded Books.
Does Ulverscroft Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for Ulverscroft Group.
What industry is Ulverscroft Group in?
Ulverscroft Group's product category is Accessible Book Publishing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAGAMAD, Accessible & Alternative Format Materials (Braille, Large Print, Audio, Tactile Graphics), with a secondary code of BPAMAJAK, eBook & Digital Reading Platforms. Its NAICS code is 513130 and its SIC code is 2731.