2023 was an incredibly eventful year for Eight Days a Week Print Solutions and Eight Plus. As we reflect on the previous 12 months, it’s amazing to see the number of accomplishments our dedicated team has achieved.
Behold the impressive business accomplishments of 2023, brought to you by industry leaders in print, mail, and beyond.
Infrastructure & future proofing
2023 saw significant investments and improvements in various areas, from a new website through to promoting internal career growth. Our commitment to investing in these areas not only showcases our expertise but also instils confidence in our customers, as they partner with us for our unwavering security measures and forward-thinking approach.
New website
The Marketing Team at EDWPS set about elevating the website alongside a brand refresh. Completely transforming our online presence to showcase the exceptional service and offerings. Fresh, bold, playful and user friendly – you can tell we are great fans of what the team has achieved but we aren’t the only ones!
- You, our wonderful audience has engaged 935% more with our website since launch
- Google has tracked a 364% increase in website traffic
- LinkedIn followers have engaged 279% more
- Which means you have been scrolling a whopping 202% more!
- You have enjoyed getting to know more about the team behind the scenes the most, with Meet the Team being our most popular page.
If you are reading this from London, you too are from the most popular UK Town/City to interact with us online. With 34% of our UK traffic driven from London.
This is likely contributed by…
- 444% keyword increase
- Improved UX experience has helped to make our print templates more accessible, seeing a 502% increase in downloaded files.
- Fresh exciting content including 19 new pages delving into the expert details of print, data, mail and so much more!
If you would like to see how our Multi-Channel Marketing Team could be an extension of your team, to support your marketing goals both offline and on, dive deeper into our offering.
Or reach out to the team marketing@edwps.co.uk
ISO Audits
At regular 3 yearly intervals, we undergo a comprehensive and meticulous examination of our processes and frameworks to ensure they align with the highest standards required to meet the ISO accreditations. With our recent recertification in 2022, we have successfully passed our reaccreditation. This achievement reaffirms our commitment to excellence and our adherence to ISO 45001, 27001, 9001 & 14001 standards. If you’re interested in learning more about our ISO Accreditations, we invite you to explore our dedicated accreditation page.
Science Based Target initiative (SBTi)
We have taken the first steps towards Science Based Targets (SBTi). They offer a well-defined roadmap to decrease greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, playing a key role in helping to avert some of the impacts of climate change and ensuring sustainable business growth. These targets are deemed ‘science-based’ when they align with the latest climate science recommendations, which aim to limit global warming to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels as outlined in the Paris Agreement.
Doubled EV charging capacity
In addition to doubling the EV charging capacity at our Nottingham Head Office, we also introduced an exciting car leasing program to assist our employees in acquiring electric vehicles. This initiative aims to make electric cars more accessible and practical for our staff. Currently, 60% of our company vehicles are electric, and we are determined to further enhance this percentage in the future. Whilst also supporting and providing resources for greener transport alternatives through EV charging, electric car leasing and our Cycle to Work Scheme.
Invested in new racking & forklift
We’re thrilled to announce our business is flourishing in sync with our valued customers. This has motivated us to make substantial investments in our production warehouse. By reconfiguring the space and incorporating new racking, we have successfully maximised our storage capacity by tripling it. This expansion enables us to not only accommodate larger stock for swift turnarounds but also cater to our customers who plan ahead or require complex mailings with multiple components.
Moreover, we have acquired a state-of-the-art Bendi Forklift that grants us access to higher heights and heavier loads than ever before. To ensure seamless operations during busy periods, we have trained 88% of our warehouse team on operating the forklift – a 75% increase from last year. This strategic move minimises disruptions to our production process, allowing us to maintain efficiency and meet our customers’ demands.
Internal promotions
It goes without saying we are huge advocates of the print industry, which is why we are passionate about promoting and fostering careers within this field. Throughout the years, we have actively engaged in initiatives aimed at welcoming and nurturing fresh talent, as well as providing continuous support and training to our existing teams. Whether it’s through mentorships or personalised guidance from our Managing Director, we’re committed to ensuring a thriving career in print. If you’re intrigued by the idea of joining our team, we invite you to explore our careers page. It might be the next step you’ve been searching for…
Gabby Solarek – Trainee Account manager
Witnessing Gabby’s journey from a Warehouse Operative to a Trainee Account Manager has been truly inspiring. Her hands-on knowledge and experience in bringing direct mail campaigns and print projects to life have played a pivotal role in her success. From day one, Gabby hit the ground running, impressing not only her peers but also the print and mail industry. We couldn’t be happier to see her hard work and determination pay off, with three prestigious awards in 2023; The Printing charity’s Rising Star Award 2023, The IPIA’s Young Leader award winner 2023 and The Strategic Mailing Partnerships Bronze Envelope Winner 2023.
Caroline Varley – Commercial Director
Caroline’s transition from Commercial Manager to Commercial Director was nothing short of seamless. She effortlessly embraced various pivotal roles in overseeing extensive print management projects, while also ensuring our B Corp Certification stayed on track and achieving remarkable success in our ISO audits.
The undeniable fruits of her labour are evident in the completion of these significant projects, which ultimately led to her well-deserved promotion. This recognition not only acknowledges her immense expertise and experience in the print industry but also serves as a testament to her unwavering dedication and hard work. Discover more about Caroline’s skills and experience in the print industry.
Charlotte Speaight – Digital Marketing Manager
Charlie initially joined EDWPS as a Digital Marketing Executive, providing valuable support to the marketing team across various platforms such as social media, blog posts, direct mail campaigns, web to print, emails, and website content. As time went on, Charlie embraced more responsibilities and enthusiastically contributed to a diverse range of projects, infusing them with innovative ideas and more than a dash of creativity. The successful launch of the new website served as a testament to her hard work and paved the way for her promotion to the role of Digital Marketing Manager, where she now leads the Marketing Team towards future success.
Mail Community & Print Industry leaders
In 2023, our community involvement and industry recognition propelled the Eight Group to become an undeniable leader in our field. We celebrated numerous award wins and our MD even had the opportunity to advocate for our industry at Number 10 Downing Street. Showcasing our unwavering commitment to be a business that creates a positive impact at every level.
MD Lance Hill visits 10 Downing Street
Lance Hill found himself in an extraordinary position when he was invited by the Independent Print Industries Association (IPIA) to partake in a roundtable discussion at the prestigious No. 10 Downing Street.
This exclusive gathering brought together a group of like-minded individuals from the print industry, all sharing a common goal. The purpose of this roundtable was to extend support to the IPIA in their mission to educate and advocate for government assistance and strategic backing within the UK print industry.
Their ultimate aim was to foster enduring growth and triumph for this sector. Additionally, the roundtable aimed to highlight and expand upon the remarkable innovations and sustainable efforts within the print industry, reinforcing its significance as a valuable British commodity.
Find out more about what was discussed when the UK Print Industry visited Number 10 here.
Award winning team & sponsorship
We take great pleasure in acknowledging and celebrating the achievements within our local community and industries. We were overjoyed to receive awards for our business as well as recognise the outstanding accomplishments of our team members.
Business Award wins
- SME National Business Awards 2023 – Business of the Year
- IPIA Recognising Excellence awards 2023 – EDWPS Manufacturer of the year
Employee Award Wins
- IPIA Recognising Excellence awards 2023 – Lance Hill IPIA Champion
- IPIA Recognising Excellence awards 2023 – Gabby Solarek Young leader
- SMP Awards 2023 – Gabby Solarek – Bronze Envelope winner
- The Printing Charity Rising Star 2023 – Gabby Solarek award winner
Award sponsorship
- East Midlands Chamber 2023 Apprentice of the year Award
We sponsored the Apprentice of the Year Award, as we know our greatest asset is our people. And with continual investment in our team & company culture, we have our route to success mapped out.
The Apprentices of today play a key role in ensuring our industry, like many others, continues to grow & thrive. They are the future, and we all have a responsibility to support them on those journeys as our stars of tomorrow. We were delighted to present the award to Alicia Anderson from Motorfinity Group Ltd.
- Silver Marketing Association 2023 Best Direct Mail Campaign Award
Our love for Direct Mail is no secret. We are truly passionate about it and always thrilled to see the success of incorporating direct mail into a multi-channel campaign. The Greensleeves Care Winter Campaign was a deserving winner, with its empowering and highly targeted messaging.
Taking part in charity events
We pride ourselves on going the extra mile in all aspects of our business, which includes hitting the ground and diggin’ in for great causes. In 2023 we took part in…
- The London 10K Vitality Charity Race, helping to raise £4,160 alongside our partner, PDS for Speech and Language UK.
- Planting 3000 native saplings at Frodsham Wood in Cheshire with the Woodland Trust
- Throughout the year, we have made numerous contributions to support worthy causes. Some of the organisations we have donated to include; Macmillian, JustGiving Sharron Mahony, The Business Desk Charity Auction Donation, SMP Award’s Charity Raffle, The Printing Charity and Speech and Language UK.
Sponsored Business Desk Property Lunch
We were proud sponsors and enthusiastic attendees of the Business Desk Property Lunch. A gathering that delved into the dynamic world of the property market and estate agents. Providing an excellent platform for networking, fostering valuable connections, and expanding our knowledge of the market. Moreover, it offered fresh insights into innovative approaches to support their marketing needs.
Elevating our service & offering – Print & Marketing
We are dedicated to going above and beyond to exceed your expectations. Our commitment to exceptional service is at the heart of our business.
4.8/5 rating on Google & Trustpilot
At the core of our operation lies the commitment to provide exceptional service to our customers. Whether it’s introducing innovative services, finding ways to save on postage, or actively seeking customer feedback, we are dedicated to continuous improvement. We are proud to share that our efforts have been recognised with an outstanding rating of 4.8/5 on both Google and Trustpilot.
By nurturing our relationships and upholding our reputation, we have successfully attracted 70+ new customers while maintaining a 100% retention rate for our existing ones.
3x Try Mail Incentives with Royal Mail completed
Royal Mail has introduced the Try Mail Incentive, a brilliant initiative that urges advertisers to trial Direct Mail at no cost and uncover its numerous advantages. By broadening their customer base and enticing new users to embrace mail, this incentive aims to revolutionise the advertising landscape.
EDWPS joined forces with Royal Mail to support this incentive, shouldering the expenses for printing and postage for three campaigns. The results have been nothing short of remarkable. With meticulous planning, targeting, production, and timely delivery. They have witnessed the remarkable benefits of incorporating Direct Mail into their marketing toolkit. Their success has been so overwhelming, they have already started planning future Direct Mail projects with us as a result.
If you’re interested in seeing what other incentives we have, explore our postal incentives page.
Boundary Mail ™ launched
Looking for a specialised print and Leaflet Distribution service tailored specifically for political parties, MP’s, Constituency Offices, councils, health authorities, and the wider public sector? Look no further than Boundary Mail!
Providing precise household targeting, helping you maximise your marketing budget and achieve optimal results by focusing on the most relevant audience.
Our comprehensive end-to-end solution, takes care of everything from boundary mapping to printing, data management, and distribution, eliminating the need to coordinate with multiple suppliers.
Launched Digital Marketing Services
Our marketing services expertise extends across various areas, and we are here to lend a helping hand to your team. Whether you need assistance with branding, strategy, digital marketing, creative design, offline marketing, campaign planning, or print and direct mail, we’ve got you covered.
Our commitment is to help you achieve your goals. Whether you require regular ongoing support …a comprehensive review and guidance …a one-time audit …assistance with specific projects, or simply need us to launch your campaign …we are flexible and adapt to meet your unique marketing requirements.
Let us be your trusted partner in success…
New Digital Press
We also invested in adding a new digital press into our print room – The Konica Minolta. This strategic move has not only expanded our capacity and reliability to achieve tight deadlines but also allows us to continue to deliver high print quality with a niche for heavy ink coverage. In addition to offering a larger variety of sheet sizes and small format packaging, as a result of compatibility with a wider range of substrates.
Sustainability
2023 marked a significant milestone as we accelerated our efforts towards a more sustainable and responsible business approach. To stay updated on our sustainability journey and witness our upcoming initiatives, make sure to keep a close watch on our sustainability page.
B Corp certified
We became B Corp certified! Marking a major milestone for a print company. Through a comprehensive evaluation of impact areas and a strong dedication to social responsibility, we have made a remarkable and sustainable difference.
If you’re curious about the specific impact areas, we invite you to explore the nitty-gritty on our dedicated B Corp page. There, you can also learn more about the inspiring individuals who lead the way as our B Leaders.
Carbon Neutral Renewal
We take pride in being a carbon-neutral printer and mailing house. By partnering with Carbon Neutral Britain, we are able to accurately measure and offset our organisation’s carbon emissions every year. This commitment is a significant stride towards our goal of operating as a sustainable business and printer.
View our latest Carbon Neutral Report here.
FSC & PEFC certified
As a Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC) certified printer. By choosing us, you can showcase your dedication to responsible sourcing by utilising our range of PEFC and FSC-certified papers and labels.
Tree and Wildflower planting
EDWPS supported the planting of 0.94 hectares of wildflowers in the UK across 2022-2023, contributing to the restoration of B-Lines and creating a network of flower-rich pathways that benefit pollinators, wildlife, and people.
The planting at Brackenhurst Campus in Nottinghamshire, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, not only enhances biodiversity but also provides students with an opportunity to learn about and contribute to habitat transformation.
Read more about the project in this case study created by Green the UK.
In conclusion
In 2023, EDWPS and Eight Plus soared to new heights, fuelled by our unwavering commitment to excellence, innovation, and sustainability. We look forward to continuing this remarkable journey and achieving even greater milestones in the future together.