Central Mailing Services

Central Mailing Services: direct mail and fulfilment in the UK

Central Mailing Services (CMS) is a British company specialising in direct mail, fulfilment and data management services. With over 27 years of activity, it operates from a 50,000 square foot production centre (approximately 4,645 m²) and serves clients both in the UK and abroad. The company presents itself as a comprehensive solution for mail campaigns, from 1,000 to 1,000,000 items.

Mailing and production services

The company covers the entire direct mail cycle. Its capabilities include:

• Data management: an in-house team of 15 processors and developers carries out data sorting, cleansing, capture, profiling, validation and segmentation, both for the UK and overseas, under ISO 27001 and GDPR compliance. They offer a free data health check.
• Personalisation: variable data printing with Domino, MCS, Astrojet, Kirk Ruddy, HP, Xerox and Konica Minolta technology. They have six high-speed inkjet machines with solvent ink configuration, capable of printing on almost any substrate, including polythene.
• Automatic envelope enclosing: five high-production machines with camera technology and selective insertion, for formats from C6 to C4, with 24/7 operating capability.
• Polywrapping: four high-speed machines (Sitma and Norpak) to produce polywrapped mailings 24/7, with biodegradable polythene and potato starch film options.
• Paper wrapping: paper wrapping service using a custom-built CMC machine, an alternative to polywrapping that few companies offer in the UK.
• Transactional mail: secure printing and fulfilment of invoices, statements and transactional communications, with ISO 27001, Cyber Essentials and NHS Toolkit certifications.
• Returns management: processing of returns, database updating and secure destruction of returned packages.
• Storage, distribution and pick & pack: secure storage of over 3,000 pallets, stock management system, 32 HD camera surveillance and access control.
• Design: in-house graphic design services with specialised software and a dedicated account manager.
• Printing: digital print centre in a temperature-controlled environment, with 24/7 printing capability and litho print partners.
• Manual fulfilment: manual handling and finishing services for projects of any size, with almost 30 years of experience.
• Postage: in-house routing and evaluation systems, combined with purchasing power, to reduce postal costs.

Commitment to sustainability

The company offers environmentally friendly mailing options, such as the use of recycled materials, biodegradable and compostable polythene, and paper wrapping. It also helps clients cleanse their data and manage returns to reduce waste. CMS has signed up to the West Midlands Net Zero commitment and has ESG, Net Zero, recycling impact, solar installation, water reduction and space plan policies.

Certifications and compliance

Central Mailing Services is certified to ISO 9001 (quality), ISO 14001 (environment) and ISO 27001 (information security). It also holds Cyber Essentials and NHS Toolkit certifications, and complies with GDPR. It is a Royal Mail quality partner, and holds the Customer Service Excellence, MCA and Data Protection Act 2018 seals. It is a finalist in the Printweek 2022 awards and a member of Love Paper, Two Sides and IPIA.

Clients and success stories

The company works with high-profile clients such as Coca-Cola, Oxford University Press and Disney Magic Breaks. Notable cases include the Shell Drivers' Club loyalty programme, for which it manages the quarterly mailing of points statements; returns management for Nisbets, a catering equipment supplier; and pick & pack services for a Birmingham digital design agency, which required the distribution of over 130 variants of printed material.

Infrastructure and capacity

The 50,000 square foot production centre houses Xerox and Konica Minolta digital printing equipment, as well as envelope enclosing, polywrapping and paper wrapping machinery. The company can operate 24/7 on several of its lines and handles both small volumes and large-scale campaigns. Its in-house data and development team maintains bespoke systems and guarantees network and server security.

Location and contact

Phone: 0800 699 0501