Since 2001, the Washington-based company has grown from small mailing operation, handling just a few pallets per day, to a 2,500sqm site with full-colour printing facilities, which caters for blue-chip clients and can handle around 1m items every day.

Managing director Heather Ramshaw said: “The whole NEMC team deserves credit for the progress we have made in the past six years and for successfully handling 2bn items of direct mail in that time.

“Our aim is to be the north’s biggest distribution centre and we are looking forward to the future with confidence.”

Among the items that NEMC handles are leaflets, coupons, DVDs and scratch-cards. It deals in the construction, travel and sport industries, among others.

NEMC currently employs 40 staff and has a turnover of £3m.