AUP: The Rise and Fall of a Scottish Printing and Publishing House
The history of AUP after 1970 serves as a poignant case study in the consolidation of the British printing industry. Once a staple of its community, AUP spent its final decades transitioning from a local fixture to a small piece of various corporate giants, reflecting the broader shifts in technology and ownership that reshaped the publishing landscape.
The Era of Corporate Consolidation
Starting in 1970, AUP entered a period of rapid ownership changes. The British Bank of Commerce first acquired the firm, subsequently integrating Central Press Ltd. and George Cornwall and Sons Ltd. into the AUP fold between 1970 and 1972. Over the next eight years, AUP was traded between three different investment groups: Brandt Ltd., Grindlays Holdings, and Spey Investments.
A pivotal shift occurred in January 1978 when AUP was acquired by Pergamon Press. Unlike previous owners, Pergamon was a conglomerate deeply rooted in printing and publishing. This move provided AUP with essential industry support. According to historian Iain Beavan, AUP's Managing Director, Harold Watt, admitted that the firm likely would not have survived adverse trading conditions and rapid technological shifts without the backing of Pergamon Press and Robert Maxwell.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Modernization and the Shift in Production
Pergamon Press implemented an ambitious rehabilitation plan to modernize AUP's operations. The primary goal was to transition the printing shop from hot metal typesetting (a traditional method of casting letters in lead) and letterpress printing to photo-composition (a photographic process for setting type) and lithographic printing (a planographic printing process).
While this technological leap was necessary for survival, it came at a human cost. Although some staff were retrained, many employees were laid off as their roles became redundant. This social friction slowed the pace of the modernization efforts.
The Success of Academic Publishing
While the printing shop struggled with transition, AUP's publishing arm flourished. By focusing specifically on Scottish academic and scholarly titles, the firm saw exponential growth in its output:
- 1979: 1 title published
- 1980: 3 titles published
- 1988: 38 titles published
A landmark achievement for the firm was the publication of the Concise Scots Dictionary. After being rejected by three other publishers, the work became a best-seller at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, cementing AUP's reputation as a premier Scottish educational imprint.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]Internal Conflict and Community Decline
The divergence between the publishing and printing arms created internal tension. By 1989, the publishing side had become so successful that the corporate board questioned whether AUP Publishing should outsource its printing needs elsewhere, rather than using AUP's own unstable printing arm.
Externally, the acquisition by Pergamon damaged AUP's relationship with the Aberdeen community. Former clients viewed the firm's new ownership as a conflict of interest, as AUP was now owned by a direct competitor. This loss of neutrality, combined with the layoff of local artisans, severed the firm's deep ties to its local roots.
The Path to Liquidation
The ultimate demise of AUP was driven by top-down corporate restructuring. In 1982, Robert Maxwell integrated Pergamon Press into the British Printing and Communication Corporation (BPCC), forming the Pergamon-BPCC Group under the Maxwell Communications Corporation. AUP was shuffled between Maxwell companies in 1986 before returning to Pergamon-BPCC.
In 1991, the Pergamon Group was sold to Elsevier, but AUP was excluded from the deal. This left AUP solely dependent on the fortunes of Robert Maxwell. Following Maxwell's death in November 1991, the massive debts of his empire were revealed. Amidst the resulting legal turmoil, AUP was liquidated in 1996.
Key Facts
- Ownership: Passed through multiple investment groups before being acquired by Pergamon Press in 1978.
- Technological Shift: Moved from hot metal typesetting to photo-composition and lithography.
- Publishing Growth: Expanded from 1 title in 1979 to 38 titles by 1988.
- Notable Work: Published the best-selling Concise Scots Dictionary.
- Final Fate: Liquidated in 1996 following the collapse of the Maxwell Communications Corporation.
| Period/Year | Key Event/Owner | Outcome/Metric |
|---|---|---|
| 1970–1972 | British Bank of Commerce | Integration of Central Press and George Cornwall and Sons |
| 1978 | Pergamon Press | Modernization of printing and focus on Scottish academia |
| 1979–1988 | Publishing Arm | Growth from 1 to 38 annual titles |
| 1982 | Maxwell Communications Corp | Integration into Pergamon-BPCC Group |
| 1996 | Liquidation | Company ceased operations due to Maxwell empire debts |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did AUP transition to photo-composition and lithographic printing?
AUP modernized its printing shop to keep pace with rapid technological advances and adverse trading conditions, moving away from outdated hot metal typesetting to remain viable.
What was AUP's most significant publishing success?
The publication of the Concise Scots Dictionary was a major point of pride; it became a best-seller at the Edinburgh International Book Festival after other publishers had rejected it.
How did the acquisition by Pergamon Press affect the local Aberdeen community?
The acquisition caused friction because AUP lost its perceived neutrality and independence, becoming owned by a competitor to many of its local clients, while local layoffs further strained community ties.
What led to the final liquidation of AUP in 1996?
AUP was tethered to the Maxwell Communications Corporation. After the death of Robert Maxwell in 1991, the discovery of his corporation's immense debt led to a legal crisis that resulted in AUP's liquidation.
Did the printing arm of AUP survive as long as the publishing arm?
While both existed under the same corporate umbrella, the printing arm became unstable and was eventually viewed as a liability by the board, which considered outsourcing the publishing arm's needs by 1989.