Wilf Wikkerink, the esteemed CEO of the globally recognized Book Depot, hails from a family of Dutch immigrants and was raised on a dairy farm on Vancouver Island. His childhood, spent caring for livestock and assuming responsibilities at a young age, ingrained in him the principles of hard work. This foundation of diligent farm life shaped his disciplined and steadfast approach to managing his business.
Wikkerink continued his journey at Dordt University in Sioux Center, Iowa, where he played men’s club volleyball and earned a Bachelor of Business Administration.
His career path took him to Legacy Entertainment, where he and his partner spent nine years developing a successful budget music company. Their collaborative endeavors led to the sale of one of the industry’s top-budget music companies to a UK-based firm, a notable milestone in their professional lives.
Since 2009, Wilf Wikkerink has been at the helm of Book Depot as its CEO, advocating for the company’s mission to employees, customers, and suppliers alike. He is deeply committed to recruiting exceptional talent and continuously improving operations through cutting-edge automation and technology. His leadership is marked by a fervent passion and a clear sense of purpose, propelling Book Depot toward greater achievements.
Wilf Wikkerink’s Stewardship of Book Depot
Under Wilf Wikkerink’s guidance, Book Depot has transcended mere survival to achieve significant success, emerging as a distinguished leader in the industry. His insightful strategies and forward-thinking vision have driven the company to new levels of achievement, securing both recognition and esteem.
Wikkerink expresses a keen fascination with individuals who leverage their gifts and talents to innovate, create, and make an impact on the world. He is particularly captivated by visionaries who dare to take leaps of faith, transforming from mere survivors into prosperous thrivers.
Wikkerink was deeply moved by a quote he heard from an entrepreneur during a podcast: “The entrepreneur said something along the lines of, ‘When someone tells me that is the craziest idea I’ve heard of, then I know I’m on to something!’ That really resonated with me as many times in our business, we have sailed into uncharted waters and done things that others said could not be done. Are we always successful? No, but you cannot continue to build a business without some bumps and bruises along the way – and those bruises usually make you stronger.”
Book Depot has been named one of “Canada’s Best Managed Companies” and is a three-time (2021-’23) Waterstone named “Canada’s Most Admired Corporate Cultures.”
The Best Managed program celebrates elite Canadian-owned and managed companies with revenues surpassing $50 million. These award winners showcase outstanding leadership in strategy, capabilities and innovation, culture and commitment, as well as financial management, driving them toward sustainable growth.
Employees at Book Depot benefit from unique advantages such as learning and career advancement opportunities offered by its Book Depot University (BDU). The workplace is lively and cheerful, promoting a culture that values innovation and inclusivity.
Employees appreciate the opportunity to work and serve together at community events, milestone recognitions, and various celebrations, enhancing camaraderie and enjoyment.
Book Depot fosters a family-like environment committed to “winning together” both in life and in business. The company embraces a servant leadership approach, urging employees to take initiative and set a daily example of excellence for their peers.
Book Depot: Leading Innovation in the Industry
Book Depot is at the Core of North America’s Largest Bargain Book Wholesaler and Retailer Are Its People.
Motivated by their core values and a dedication to achieving results both professionally and personally, they strive to consistently offer an exceptional customer experience to everyone touched by their products and services, through relentless growth and innovation.
At Book Depot, the entrepreneurial spirit is deeply embedded in their daily operations, not just a trendy term. This culture is fundamental to their success, enabling them to leverage technology for innovation and operational excellence. Their dedication to constant improvement and excellence fuels their mission to deliver a consistently outstanding customer experience.
Book Depot, located in Canada, has been a leading wholesale bargain book company for over 35 years, helping organizations save time and money. With the largest selection of high-margin books, the company operates out of a sprawling 500,000-square-foot facility, staffed by over 400 dedicated employees. What sets Book Depot apart is its advanced automated order fulfillment system, which allows businesses to stock excellent titles at significantly reduced costs.
Book Depot Serves Local and Global Customers Alike
Book Depot updates its website daily with hundreds of new titles and offers more than 50 categories, ensuring a wide selection for organizations of any size. Bargain books, which are publishers’ surplus at substantially reduced prices, are always new, unread, and guaranteed to be in excellent condition. This provides businesses with the opportunity to achieve a double-margin return on their investment.
“Despite what you may read or hear, books are still a great business, and people still are buying them,” said Wikkerink. “People enjoy cracking open a book and flipping through the pages.” All the books on the shelves are new and unread, sold in bulk by publishers to clear out excess inventory. This practice enables Book Depot to offer books at the discounted prices available.
Other brands in the Book Depot lineup include their B2C website, Book Outlet. A robust culture of innovation and growth has been crucial to Book Depot’s success, as they continually aim to provide an exceptional customer experience.
Integrated with their vibrant culture is their fundamental mission to Enchant the Mind—one book at a time. Driven by the value of literacy and the conviction that books should be available to everyone, this belief guides their operations.
“As we see continued consolidation in the publishing business, it is also becoming clearer that publishers require large partners that can provide turnkey inventory solutions for their remainders, overstocks and returns,” said Wilf.
Wilf Wikkerink: Family and Origins
Beyond his professional role as CEO of Book Depot, Wilf Wikkerink cherishes his life as a dedicated husband, father, and grandfather. Together with his wife, Natalie, they have raised six children—two sons and four daughters, several of whom are now married and have children of their own.
The Wikkerink family treasures their time spent outdoors, enjoying activities like skiing, playing Spikeball, and getting lost in the pages of a good book.
Wilf Wikkerink’s leadership as both a family man and CEO of Book Depot embodies a blend of dedication, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. His journey from the dairy farms of Vancouver Island to leading a globally recognized company highlights the transformative power of perseverance and vision. Under his direction, Book Depot consistently adapts to the dynamic publishing industry, reinforcing its status as a beacon of success and inspiration in both literature and commerce. His leadership assures stakeholders of a bright and secure future for the company.