North Chelmsford, Mass. - Courier Corporation, one of America's leading book manufacturers and specialty publishers, today announced that it has signed a multiyear book manufacturing agreement with Pearson Education, the world's largest educational publisher. For Courier, the third-largest book manufacturer in North America, the agreement follows a year of above-market growth with the expectation of additional volume in coming years. It also highlights the value of Courier's recent investments in pioneering digital inkjet technology and the continuing expansion of its four-color offset plant in Kendallville, Indiana, both of which factored into Pearson's buying decision.

Courier and Pearson have been working together for nearly 50 years, serving America's teachers and students with textbooks at every level from elementary to higher education. The new agreement spans this entire range with volume and price commitments covering textbooks and components in both two- and four-color production.

"Courier and Pearson have a long history of successful collaboration," said Courier Chairman and Chief Executive Officer James F. Conway III. "We are delighted to take this new step to advance our relationship further. Pearson is not only one of Courier's largest customers, but the global leader in educational publishing. We are pleased to have the opportunity to open additional avenues for growth by applying industry-leading technology to the needs of today's and tomorrow's students."

Owen Mitchell, Global Head of Procurement for Pearson said, "Pearson has supported the development of high quality digital technology that delivers on our industry's pressing need for increased printing agility for shorter print runs from black and white to four-color. Courier's digital technology expands on the cost and value options we represent to our customers."

"It also marks a milestone for Courier Digital Solutions," said Mr. Conway. "Since its launch this past spring, CDS has rapidly become the venue of choice for cost-effective digital production of customized four-color textbooks with quality equivalent to modern offset printing. We are delighted that Pearson shares our excitement about what CDS can do."