Global printing strategies, fluctuating freight markets, geopolitical disruption, sustainability pressures, and rising cost scrutiny have fundamentally changed how publishers move books around the world.

Unsworth believes supply chain management shouldn’t feel reactive or uncertain. It should be visible, data-driven, and collaborative. That’s why we’ve built technology specifically for publishers. Meet our powerful Book Calculator.

A Technology-Centric Approach to Publishing Logistics

Unsworth takes a technology-first approach designed exclusively for the publishing industry. Our in-house platform, Pathway, provides real-time visibility across global shipments, giving publishers clarity and control at every stage of the journey.

With hundreds of integrated data points and continuous input from the publishing community, Pathway has evolved into a best-in-class visibility tool. Editorial teams, printers, warehouses, and distributors can work from the same live information, reducing miscommunication and eliminating costly bottlenecks.

As one customer notes:

“Pathway is a fantastic tool for supporting our supply chain, especially during geopolitical issues, to help provide visibility. It’s a good, robust system you can really trust.”

Introducing the Book Calculator: Fast, Clear, Sustainable

The Book Calculator, housed within Pathway’s Freight Management Hub, gives publishers the ability to:

• Instantly calculate shipping costs
• Compare freight options
• Estimate carbon emissions
• Make informed, data-driven decisions
• Access complete order insights

In a market where margins are tight and sustainability targets are increasingly scrutinised, the Book Calculator empowers publishers to evaluate cost, speed, and environmental impact before committing to a shipment.

Instead of relying on email chains and manual quote comparisons, teams can model scenarios instantly. Print location changes? Format variations? Different shipping modes? The answers are immediate.

This shift from reactive freight booking to proactive freight strategy is where true supply chain optimisation begins.

Seamless Collaboration Across the Publishing Chain

Publishing supply chains involve multiple stakeholders, often across continents. Without alignment, delays compound and costs escalate.

Pathway enhances collaboration by ensuring every stakeholder operates from the same real-time data. From drag-and-drop delivery booking to on-water tracking and delay severity alerts, the platform keeps supply chains moving efficiently.

Whether you’re an independent publisher or a global group managing high-volume international print runs, Pathway adapts to organisations of any size. It reduces uncertainty, strengthens workflow efficiency, and ensures titles arrive where they need to be — when they need to be there.

The Future of Publishing Logistics

By combining real-time visibility through Pathway with the decision-making power of the Book Calculator, Unsworth is helping publishers:

• Control freight costs
• Reduce carbon impact
• Improve supply chain resilience
• Increase cross-team collaboration
• Move from reactive logistics to proactive strategy

The publishing industry is evolving. Your logistics should evolve with it. Unsworth’s technology-driven platform is redefining what freight forwarding looks like for publishers, and the Book Calculator is at the heart of that transformation.

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