The “multi-million-pound deal”, which will start next month, will be processed through MetroMail’s 13,000sqm facility in Seaham, County Durham over the next three years.
Given volumes and format mix, the work will be printed on a full range of MetroMail’s equipment, including both continuous and cutsheet inkjet printers. Jobs will be fulfilled across various Pitney Bowes, Bowe Systec, Buhrs, and Sitma machines, along with hand fulfilment and physical intelligent letter sortation (ILS).
To support the partnership MetroMail said it has also invested over £300,000 in new inflight messenger colour envelope printing within a bespoke workflow, which is coming on stream this week. The base unit consists of a BlueCrest Colour Print+ Messenger module with bespoke configuration and API into MetroMail's iMail end-to-end workflow.
The business said that “despite significant client and format complexity”, the hybrid white paper workflow is fully automated, using MetroMail developed web APIs to connect business systems, a digital order management portal, and utilising MetroMail’s iTrans technology platform and latest investments to give firepower and optimised time to market with full colour personalisation.
The two companies said the partnership will support the growth plans of both parties and drive client lead innovation and collaboration with tangible results.
Lbox Communications CEO David King said: “This pioneering deal allows Lbox to concentrate on innovation and growth from our London centric head office in Richmond whilst MetroMail’s well invested firepower takes care of our bulk day-to-day BAU [business as usual] requirements making it an ideal partnership.”
MetroMail managing director Tim Smith added: “As market dynamics and consumer habits continue to change to digital first campaigns, forward-thinking businesses like Lbox are forging partnerships to play on their collective strengths and skills.
“By tapping into and benefitting from our expanding portfolio of digital solutions this enables Lbox to best serve their customers and deliver excellence across physical and digital communications.
“This is an exciting opportunity and possibly the first signs of a growing trend. Although our first deal of this nature I suspect it’s not likely to be the last.”
Late last year MetroMail rolled out a bumper cost-of-living package to its staff to support them through the current period of high inflation. The company employs more than 100 people.
