Gopher Publishers has specialized in On-Demand production and distribution of books, business documents and music .
Gophers` business model is based on a flexible, web-based publishing concept that offers a variety of applications for the business-to-consumer and the business-to-business market. Gopher products are being offered in the easy accessible Gopher-shop on the internet:
www.gopherpublishers.com

What started out as a 2-person company in September 1997 (read more about the founders here) has grown into an internationally operating organisation with over 30 employees. Winning the `encouragement prize` in the Broos van Erp competition for young internet-companies (1998) has led to a progressive demand and stimulated the company into rapid growth.
In November 1999 Gopher became part of the Twinning-network and received its first capital-injection. The second investment was made in March 2000 by Paribas Participations.
On December 2001 the Quote Media Group (www.Quotemedia.nl) realised a strategic take-over of the Gopher Company.

The company is lead by Jitske Kingma.

Publishing concept
Gopher Publishers' publishing concept is based on its privately developed software application Kitabu (Kitabu is Swahili for book). This application makes it possible to produce publications on-demand and, when appropriate, to accompany the publication with a personal message. Furthermore, Kitabu allows us easily to bring up to date any digitally stored information whenever we want. Kitabu also offers user-friendly possibilities for database publishing, so that clients can make their own choice from the available stock. Finally, Gopher offers business clients the opportunity to let Gopher take care of the distribution of publications.

Design and advice
Gopher takes care of the design of books and publications and designs webshops and sites for communities. Gopher's own publishers watch over the quality of books published by Gopher and offer guidance to beginning and advanced writers. Gopher's e-publishing consultants advise companies and organisations on the various applications of e-publishing and make sure that all projects are successfully completed.

Strategic alliances
The physical production of Gopher products is subcontracted to the Reprografisch Centrum Groningen (RCG) with which Gopher has entered into a strategic alliance. Apart from RCG, other strategic alliances were closed with Xerox in Europe, to ensure Gopher access to Xerox' European Premier Printing Partners.