Lesson 18 New Contract with Printers

Franka: Hello, It’s nice to see you again. You’re looking well.

Berndt: Thnaks! I am well. I’ve just come back from the Turin Book Fair.

Franka: Ah! One of your favorite events. How did it go?

Berndt: Oh, the fair was quite a success. We had a lot of interest in a new series of science titles that we’ve published. And I met up with some old friends. Do you remember Nuno, form Lisbon? Yes, all in all, it was very pleasant. And I do enjoy Italian food.

Franka: It’s delicious, isn’t it? Well then, Berndt, has this been a good year for you?

Berndt: Yes, it has. We’ve done really well in Western Europe – We’ve sold more books than ever before. And we’ve started distributing in countries in Eastern Europe as well—for example, in Poland and Hungary. Poland is doing very well. The demand for our books has been almost as high as in Spain and Portugal.

Franka: That’s great! I can see you’ve been very busy.

Berndt: Well, of course, you know me.

Franka: So, what’s next then? I’m sure you’ve got something new planned.

Berndt: Well, we’re going to move the actual printing to Slovakia. We have a new contract with a printing company in Bratislava. They’re going to take over about 80% of our book printing next year. It’s going to cut our costs considerably, I hope.

Franka: What a coincidence! I’ve just been to Bratislava.

Berndt: Well, I’m going to be there next month. I’m going to discuss the contract with the printers. And after that, I think I’m going to take a few days’ holiday. It’s been a very busy year.

 

Vocabulary 词汇：

Book Fair 书展

favorite 最喜欢的

interest 利润；利息

publish 出版

pleasant 愉悦的

distribute 分销

demand 需求

Spain 西班牙

Portugal 葡萄牙

Slovakia 斯洛伐克

contract 合同

take over 接管

cost 成本

coincidence 巧合