ProQuest Information and Learning originally launched XanEdu in 2000 to expand the delivery channel for ProQuest content into the classroom via electronic coursepacks. XanEdu has built the leading national brand for custom print publishing in higher education, but its content needs and manufacturing operations diverged from ProQuest’s core business focus in the library and K-12 markets.

"We're proud of the products and service levels that XanEdu has provided our customers; this decision is all about focus," said David "Skip" Prichard, president of ProQuest Higher Education & Library.  "We decided to sell XanEdu to concentrate on publishing strategies in our news-based and digital reference solutions, as well as other high-growth businesses that provide greater opportunity to leverage our skills and assets. We are pleased that NAPC, under the leadership of founder and President Dan Arbour, has stepped forward with a mission to build on the foundation of quality content and service that we have worked to establish."

ProQuest and NAPC are working together to provide customers with information to ensure a clear and easy transition.

ProQuest today also announced the concurrent sale of its UMI® Periodicals in Microform business to NAPC.  NAPC also has purchased the existing manufacturing and production facilities at 300 North Zeeb Road, Ann Arbor, MI 48103.  ProQuest will lease space from NAPC until it moves to its new building in Ann Arbor in 2006.

ProQuest Information and Learning is a world leader in collecting, organizing, and publishing information worldwide for researchers, faculty, and students in libraries and schools. Known widely for its strength in business and economics, general reference, humanities, social sciences, and STM content, the company develops premium databases comprising periodicals, newspapers, dissertations, out-of-print books, and other scholarly information from more than 8,500 publishers worldwide.  Users access the information through the ProQuest® Web-based online information system, Chadwyck-Healey™ electronic and microform resources, UMI® microform and print reference products, eLibrary®, SIRS® and Voyager Expanded Learning educational resources.  For more information about ProQuest Information and Learning, visit www.il.proquest.com.

ProQuest Information and Learning is a business unit of ProQuest Company (www.proquestcompany.com), which was twice named one of the top 100 fastest growing technology companies in the United Statesby Business 2.0 and one of the 200 best small companies by Forbes Magazine.

NAPC is a newly established company that includes three lines of business, UMI®Periodicals in Microform, XanEdu®, and Microfilm and Digitization Services with extensive microfilm and digital content production capability.  It was formed through the firm’s acquisition of the established business units from ProQuest Information and Learning -- which determined these long time profitable businesses are not part of its future strategic growth plans -- and the manufacturing capability for microfilm and digital content.