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Mail makers’ board produced almost half of all letters delivered in 2018

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A recent audit of the 14 board members of the Strategic Mailing Partnership (SMP) revealed that in 2018 they produced 7.1 billion mailpacks – just under half of all mail delivered last year – and 581 million door to door pieces.

Board members’ combined turnovers reached £2322 million and, collectively, the companies employed more than 20,000 staff. On average this was a turnover of £165 million with 1497 employees.

Far from being made up of large businesses, the board itself comprises a range of different sized companies, from those employing nine people up to 10,000, and with turnovers ranging from £2 million to £700 million.

What is more, less than one third (28%) of the board is devoted purely to mail manufacture. The average turnover from direct mail production across the board was £149 million, ranging from £2 million to £264 million.

The number of people employed directly in mail manufacture varied from nine to 1320, totalling 3920 across the board.

SMP chair Judith Donovan CBE said 2018 had been a significant year for the mail industry, with the introduction of GDPR having a damaging effect on confidence – as confirmed in recent Royal Mail market announcements.

However, while it had undoubtedly affected all SMP members, confidence was beginning to return and those who had continued to use direct mail were reporting much improved return on investments.

‘This audit shows that our board members are major players in this industry; clearly the SMP has the right board in place, who can look forward to an equally strong year in 2019,’ said Judith.

‘It is important to note that while these figures apply to our board members, and underline the role they play in the world of direct mail, there are 137 other businesses who belong to the partnership, therefore the percentage of mail manufactured by SMP members will be far greater than 50%.’

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