Innovation & Job News

Ann Arbor's ProQuest doubles in size

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

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Higher Education, Publishing / Printing, Research

Ann Arbor

The company that is ProQuest today hasn't changed its business philosophy since it was started in Ann Arbor 71 years ago.

Back then the company focused on commercializing microfilm. Today it focuses on offering specialized information --journal articles, dissertations and newspaper stories (it has agreements with The Detroit News and Free Press)-- electronically. They sell it to researchers at every level, from grade school to commercial.

"The last two years we have grown substantially," says Elliot Forsyth, senior vice president of human resources for ProQuest. "We have literally doubled in size. A lot of that has been through acquisitions and strategic investments back in the business."

Today the company employs 1,700 around the world, including 550 in Ann Arbor. It has been sold a couple of times over, including to the likes of Xerox, before becoming a subsidiary of the Cambridge Information Group two years ago.

The company plans to streamline its business so it can offer one-stop shopping options to its customers. It is also looking at some strategic acquisitions or partnerships in the near future.

"We will still continue to grow," Forsyth says.

Source: Elliot Forsyth, senior vice president of human resources for ProQuest
Writer: Jon Zemke