LA VERGNE, TN – Lightning Source Inc., the leading provider of demand- based book manufacturing and distribution solutions to the book industry, announced today that it has received formal recognition for the outstanding printing and binding production quality for both its monochrome and four color digitally manufactured books.

Publishers Association of the West announced that Lightning Source will be presented with two PubWest Book Design Awards for the quality of the books that Lightning Source manufactures.

“For our annual awards, we select judges who are experts in the fields of publishing, printing, production, design, editorial and sales and marketing,” said Kent Watson, Executive Director, Publishers Association of the West. “Our judges have specific criteria that they must evaluate including: format, layout, typography, jacket/cover, materials, printing and binding.”

Mr. Watson continued, “Because the Lightning Source manufactured books exceeded these criteria, the Lightning Source titles were selected as winners of our prestigious digitally produced book category awards.”

“I am thrilled that our peers in the book industry have affirmed the manufacturing quality of our books,” said J. Kirby Best, President and CEO of Lightning Source Inc. “A quality book is a win for the entire supply chain. When you pair a quality book with exceptional print and bind quality, with the strongest distribution channel on the planet, you have a winning combination.”

“We will continue to build upon our leadership position in the book industry and deliver innovative, high-quality book solutions for publishers around the world,” Mr. Best added.

Lightning Source recently completed multi-phase manufacturing upgrades to each book manufacturing facility it operates. The recent upgrades included significant investments in its presses, workflows and facilities.

“Our expertise and track record in book making, and the scalability of our operation allows us to do things that others in our field just cannot do,” said David Taylor, Senior Vice President, Global Sales. “Our channel, speed and quality are a true benefit for publishers. Publishers are keeping more books alive, bringing more books to market, and making more money doing so.”

The quality award for Digitally Produced Book Four Color, is being presented to Lightning Source for the book, Letters from Katrina, published by Growing Field Books. Growing Field Books specializes in inspirational and leadership series books for children. Lightning Source utilizes HP Indigo equipment for its color book manufacturing.

The Lightning Source book: Tennessee’s Civil War Battlefields, A Guide To Their History and Preservation, published by AuthorHouse, has been selected for the quality award for Digitally Produced Book One Color. Lightning Source utilizes Oce’ equipment for its monochrome book manufacturing.

Lightning Source will be recognized for its book manufacturing quality at the 24th Annual Publishers Association of the West National Publishing Conference in Portland, Oregon, in November.