CustomerKNECT: £12m investment and rebrand to futureproof MetroMail
Officially launching on the 1st of February 2023, (to coincide with our new financial year) the Seaham based ‘Customer Communications’ business formerly known as MetroMail will rebrand as CustomerKNECT. With a focus on Delivering Excellence through existing and a new range of innovative solutions and managed services by blending inbound mail to our existing outbound hybrid mail to create a seamless workflow around the paperless office.
Building on 35 years specialist experience with investment across multiple iterations to expand our business services we have stepped back and realigned our business strategy from a fresh perspective. We are known for providing traditional mailing services to a broad client base however, consumer habits and market trends are changing. The new look, appeal and service offering is to help ensure we remain relevant to our customers as we strive to be the ‘go-to’ partner of choice for all Customer KNECTions and touchpoints.
As traditional direct marketing continues to decline, with an increasing focus on digital first strategies where digitalisation and cross media becomes more prominent, we have invested in innovative technology and solutions to meet current and future needs of marketeers.
As CustomerKNECT, parented by a plc and governed under FCA, we continue to champion our core values around integrity and being a trusted partner for the full range of customer communications. We’ve created a brand showcasing innovation with a relevant and engaging outlook on customer communications, while staying connected to our heritage.
CEO Tim Smith commented: “Remaining relevant is key and having joined last March, repositioning ourselves in such a short timeline is a true testament to the investment and strengths of the foundations of the original business, as well as the resolve of the leadership team and our exceptional colleagues. Additionally valued support from our trusted customer and supply partners was key as we continue to change our portfolio, add new services, and strive to deliver excellence across all their Customer KNECTions and touchpoints”.
The rebrand makes it clear to all that we are aiming to be the leading choice for innovative customer communications, looking to ‘KNECT’ and ‘Deliver Excellence’ to our clients.
To support the rebrand and further strengthen our portfolio we have entered into multi-million-pound partnerships to upgrade our technology, quality, and strategic capabilities. As part of a £12 million investment (over the next seven years) key partners Canon, have brought in two Colorstream 8160’s continuous inkjets, Hunkeler finishing equipment and an iX 2100 sheetfed inkjet press.
Using the latest ink optimisation technology, with native 1200 dpi printheads, the Colorstreams allow us to offer even better-quality print, with a wider and more vibrant colour gamut to make marketing messages pop out of the page. The increased production speed helps us further improve time to market for critical business communications. As well as the advances in automation which allow for decreased operator interaction, reduced downtime due to head blockage and a reduction in overall paper and ink waste improving our environmental impact.
The iX 2100 brings new capabilities to the business, giving the ability to produce quick turnaround short run and fully personalised products such as postcards, one-piece mailers, brochures, and policy booklets with 100% camera match integrity, all with truly eye-catching colours on a huge range of media.
To support the recently announced LBox outsourced production partnership, we have also invested over £300,000 in a new inflight messenger colour envelope printing within a bespoke workflow. The base unit consists of a BlueCrest Colour Print+ Messenger module with bespoke configuration and API into CustomerKNECT’s iMail end-to-end workflow. This partnership will support the growth plans of both parties and drive client lead innovation and collaboration with tangible results.
Now, as CustomerKNECT, we remain relevant and on the right path to progress with our vision, integrating and innovating customer communications to drive excellence and digital cross media advancements, providing high-quality marketing solutions for our customers across the UK.
For more information, please contact Jaime in Marketing:
jaime.havery@customerknect.co.uk
CustomerKNECT is North East based and PLC backed, Delivering Excellence across all customer communications and touchpoints. Building on 35 years’ experience of traditional communication solutions with a fresh outlook in line with the new digital age.
