Twenty years of first class service
When did you first move to Hillington Park?
We’ve been here for 20 years now. We started the business back in 2004 and were based in Clydebank but very quickly realised we needed a bigger space with better access for our staff and our suppliers and Hillington Park fitted the bill perfectly.
And how would you describe what your business does?
When we started in February 2004 direct marketing was the main marketing channel that organisations used other than outside advertising and TV & radio. Although there are now digital channels available we remain an important part of a multi-faceted marketing landscape where many organisations utilise direct mail to drive clients to their websites or to undertake other specific activity. This may take the form of a brochure, a leaflet or a personalised letter all aimed at encouraging a purchase or action. Personalisation is very important for clients.
How have things changed from when you started the business?
The biggest shift has been the rise of personalisation and data segmentation, making mailings far more effective than ever before. Today, a targeted mailing to 10,000 people can drive the same or greater response than the 100,000 mailings sent out two decades ago.
Technology has also transformed the business. In 2004, we operated Scotland’s largest envelope and polywrapping mailing lines, focused on speed and affordability. Today, with shorter print runs, we’ve transitioned from traditional litho to high-speed digital colour printing, offering faster, more flexible services. Now, a client can send us artwork and a mailing list one day, and the next, 10,000 personalised postcards are printed and dispatched—something unimaginable 20 years ago.
What type of industries are your customers in?
We are strong in travel, trade, charity and the public sector although as businesses have embraced digital channels we have found that our business now serves a wide range of sectors that previously hadn’t used mail and have found it very helpful for hard to reach clients.
Are your clients locally based or do they stretch far and wide?
We have clients across the whole of the UK and Northern Ireland. We do mail worldwide however the majority of clients’ mail is dispatched in the UK network.
It sounds like it’s a very busy business. How many staff do you have?
We have 11 staff on a full-time basis, and we work with a great agency when we need additional staff during peak production periods.
There must have been many highlights in the company’s twenty plus years. What would you say were the biggest?
Last year we passed the half a billion milestone for numbers of pieces of mail dispatched! During the peak election period last year, we also mailed out over 11 million addressed mail items in under three weeks of production.
From a personal perspective I would say still having the same clients and same team members for nearly the whole of our journey has been a privilege and has helped me to retain a smile every time I walk on site.
From a Hillington Park perspective, what have been the most significant changes you’ve seen since the first day you arrived?
The site has moved away from being a predominantly industrial trade site to a mixed use business park with far more food and supporting amenities. It is also maintained to a high level which makes it a nice environment to walk round when needing fresh air. The nighttime patrols and monitoring help to provide a safe space for staff starting in the early morning or finishing late at night.
We know lots of businesses base themselves at Hillington because of its location and its links to transport networks. Is that true for you too?
I would say this was one of the main factors when we were looking for a large unit with access for artics at the rear and our site is perfect for the needs of the business. We’re close to Hillington West train station too so that’s ideal for staff or visitors who choose to travel by train.
To find out more about Johnston Mailing visit: https://www.johnstonmailing.co.uk
