Inter-America: Publishing Houses still among the top five worldwide Adventist organizations

May 16, 2011 – Miami, Florida, United States…Libna Stevens/IAD

Seventh-day Adventist leaders from throughout Inter-America were updated today on the growth and financial progress of the church’s two publishing houses, GEMA Editorial House and the Inter-American Publishing Association. Both houses presented soon-to-be-available publications and upcoming marketing strategies during their bi-annual board meetings held at the Inter-American Division (IAD) headquarters in Miami, Florida.

GEMA
GEMA achieved $11.3 million in sales last year, which represents a 22% increase from 2009. “This has been the largest increase we have ever had,” stated Erwin Gonzalez, GEMA’s president, during his report to the board. GEMA, which primarily serves Mexico and other countries outside of Inter-America, recently became the top top Adventist publishing house in the world in Spanish-language publications.

Almost half of the 2010 revenue was brought in by colporters, and the rest from sales to churches and stores, said Gonzalez.

“It’s not that colporteurs have sold less publications than before, it’s just that the purchases by church members through churches and stores have increased significantly,” explained Gonzalez, as he referred to the steady growth of the membership in Mexico.

“I feel so happy to see the contribution of GEMA as it serves the four unions in Mexico and around the world,” said Pastor Israel Leito. “We rejoice that you have been able grow in the work of publications. GEMA is not some little publishing house, it is a publishing house which serves the world, too.”

Filiberto Verduzco, treasurer of the church in Inter-America, congratulated GEMA for their financial report to the board.

“As I observe your report, I see that something extraordinary has happened and I am amazed,” Verduzco said as he reflected on the low-kept inventory, low accounts payable and accounts receivable in GEMA. “GEMA has cleared its $1 million dollar debt with the Division and I want to express my congratulations for the good financial management of the entity,” he added.

GEMA also presented its new books and publications for sale on health, family, marriage, stewardship, and prophecy, among others. GEMA’s publications are geared to children, young people, women, and church members of any age.

“We are happy that GEMA ranks number five among the worldwide Adventist Publishing houses,” said Gonzalez.

Leaders took an action to approve Samuel Manzilla as GEMA’s vice president of marketing.

For more on GEMA’s available books and publications, visit http://gemaeditores.com.mx/

IADPA
During its report to board members, the IAD’s Publishing Association (IADPA) reported $13.3 million in sales for the year 2010, an amount which represented a loss in sales of more than $200,000 from the $13.5 million in sales in 2009.

IADPA leaders also reported sales exceeding $3.6 million as of April 30 for this year.

“When I think of a few years ago when IADPA used to present its report, and I look at the difference now,” said Pastor Leito. “We praise God for that growth.”

Verduzco said he was impressed with IADPA’s report with well-identified financial concepts and congratulated the publishing house for the careful management of the inventory and accounts payable.

Concerns over the decrease of sales by colporters was brought up to which Pablo Perla, president of IADPA, assured board members about the strength of the publishing house. “We are not in crisis,” said Perla. “We are working on reducing our inventory. Our publishing house is still growing just like it did from 100 titles a few years ago to 500 titles today.”

It’s a steady growth that has been visible, said Perla. “IADPA went from $4 million in sales to $13 million, and it continues to grow,” he said. IADPA ranks number four among Adventist publishing houses around the world according to top leaders.

During 2010, sales increased throughout the territory with the Caribbean Union territory reaching $1.5 million. The Colombia Union trailed with $1.2 million, and the South Central American Union was third with $1 million in sales, reported Perla.

IADPA also presented to board members and church leaders a dozen upcoming books, including the Great Controversy. The book will be printed at a low cost in English, Spanish, and French and is planed for massive distribution next year

In addition, IADPA reported on its various colporteur projects in place and presented the devotionals for 2012.

Board members also voted to approve the purchase of a warehouse adjacent to the IADPA building in Miami, Florida, to accommodate IADPA’s growing inventory needs.

Changes to IADPA’s organizational structure will take place in the coming months, said Perla.

For a list of available books and publications in IADPA, go to www.iadpa.org