Toronto, ON, – Today, Webcom is announcing a multi-year strategic alliance with the North America education business of Pearson, the world's leading learning company. The alliance agreement builds on a pilot of Webcom's BookFWD production program, initiated in 2010, to produce short print runs of books using the latest digital production technologies. Webcom's revolutionary high-speed inkjet web press is the technological force behind the expanded program, with four-color production accounting for up to 80% of the school and higher education products within the BookFWD program.

"There are strong synergies between Webcom's BookFWD program and Pearson," explains Webcom President and CEO, Mike Collinge. "We have many components in place now that deliver responsive, intelligent action throughout our organization." In addition to dedicated press time on Webcom's new inkjet cover and text presses, Pearson will be supported by a no-touch integrated workflow system to ensure maximum efficiency. Recent investments in new inkjet equipment, digital and web offset upgrades, workflow automation and the replacement of all bindery lines with the latest equipment has made Webcom a front-runner to support aggressive and demanding publishing requirements.

"Webcom is a proven North American vendor for Pearson" said Dan Lee, North American Executive VP of Content Management."The assurance of quality books with a regular stream of short print runs using this emerging technology is the right direction for our business."