Coutts Information Services is the group name for what was previously John Coutts Library Services Ltd, Canada, Coutts Library Services Inc., USA, and BMBC Ltd, UK.  The three companies merged in August 2000 to form an integrated global library services and book supply group.  On May 1, 2001, the Group began operating under the brand, Coutts Information Services, complete with a new logo, a distinctive image, and bold plans to continue building on the Company’s thirty year-old international reputation.

In December 2001, Coutts completed an agreement to purchase John Smith & Son (Glasgow Scotland) Ltd.   This acquisition placed the already growing Group in a stronger position within the UK book market.  The Coutts Group is now firmly within the top three of all UK academic booksellers.

Recognizing the strength of the long established, award winning John Smith’s name within the retail sector, we have consequently re-branded the existing Coutts’ bookshops under the same banner.  The team in Glasgow, which has a proven retail track record manage the chain of 17 bookshops, situated on university campuses throughout the UK. 

Recently, Coutts announced an agreement wherein the Company acquired the library monograph business of Martinus Nijhoff International (MNI) from Swets Blackwell.  Coutts will immediately commence the task of incorporating the new business into the Company’s growing international academic library supply and services business.

Martinus Nijhoff was founded in The Hague in 1853. From its beginnings as a small shop, Nijhoff’s activities broadened in the ensuing years to include the special services and information required by academic libraries. Today, the monograph division of Martinus Nijhoff supplies books from the rich and varied European publishing world to libraries worldwide; and MNI is well known for specialized market expertise and a tradition of excellent customer service.

The company has come a long way since Canadian teacher, John Coutts, launched the company in 1969.  Today, the Group employs over 300 people and supplies books and special services to almost 4,000 libraries in more than 80 countries around the world.  Coutts Information Services will combine the Company’s remarkable experience and resources with ambitious plans for future development through increased investment in leading-edge technology, web-based services and staff training.