PAN MACMILLAN ACQUIRE KINGFISHER.

From The Bookseller overnight.

Pan Macmillan has acquired children's publisher Kingfisher from Houghton Mifflin for an undisclosed sum. Kingfisher will become an imprint of Macmillan Children's Books in the UK, under MCB m.d. Emma Hopkin. The US operation will be run by Simon Boughton, publisher of Roaring Brook Press,which is part of the Holtzbrinck Group.
The acquisition brings a broad range of children's non-fiction publishing to Macmillan, as well as a smaller fiction list, anthologies and picture books for very young children. Kingfisher's sales are handled by Walker Books and it is understood to employ around 50 staff.

Announcing the acquisition, Macmillan said that Kingfisher's international appeal would "provide new sales opportunities in all markets”, including synergies with Holtzbrinck Publishers USA, Pan Macmillan, Macmillan Children's Books, Priddy Books and Macmillan Education.
Hopkin said: "It gives us a wealth of publishing in the non-fiction market, and a range of mass market fiction titles- with a very strong team of staff. It strengthens our strategic links with our US colleagues and we look forward to working closely with them and the Kingfisher team to enhance Kingfisher's publishing programme and to develop its sales worldwide.

"David North, m.d. of Pan Macmillan, said the acquisition emphasises Holtzbrinck's commitment to developing its children's publishing around the world. "We look forward to welcoming our new colleagues to the group."