Tim Delahay, chief executive of the Bristol-based company, said that during the recession, or any period of economic uncertainty, "maintaining and growing your customer base is essential".

"In the current climate, the re-signing of four of our largest clients is testament to the close working partnerships we have developed and the extremely high standard of services we provide," he added.

The other three contract renewals are understood to comprise a life assistance company and two financial services businesses, one of which is likely to be GE Capital, which DST Output was spun out of in 2002 when DST International was set up to acquire GE Mailing Services.

DST Output said that the contract renewals would allow it to further strengthen its presence in the telecoms, consumer finance provision and life assistance sectors.

The transpromo printer will continue to process, print, enclose and mail a variety of customer communications for the four clients, in addition to maintaining their use of its Direct Access web service, which provides interactive access to DST Output services.

Delahay stressed that during a recession, it is "more imperative" that businesses communicate with their customers "clearly, effectively and on time".

He added: "As the credit crisis deepens, the clever marketers out there will be looking to ensure that all customer channels are maximised and that the money spent on transactional mail makes a real impact."

The announcement follows DST Output's recent rebrand from DST International Output in order to strengthen ties with its US-based sister company.