The Envelopes division has taken on business development manager Brett Hopper, who has 35 years’ experience in the envelope industry, and trainee production planner Paul Wrightson.

The Packaging division, meanwhile, has been joined by two business development managers: Chris Johns, who has had a 45-year career in the printed carton sector, and Graham Tattam. Also joining are business development support manager Sean Mattimore, estimator Steve White, pre-production administrator Shannon Taylor and production and quality support coordinator Megan Heron.

“I am delighted to welcome our new staff on board to Encore Envelopes and Encore Packaging Solutions," said managing director Russell Croisdale. "They bring a great mix of skills and experience.

“They will enhance our team and play a valuable and important part in our future.”

The recruitment drive was completed this summer and takes the company's headcount to 326. The company said the new appointments will provide a significant boost at its bases in the North East and West Yorkshire.

The company, which has sites in Peterlee, Washington, and Dewsbury, produces more than 3 billion packaging items per year, including corrugated and cartonboard boxes, direct mail packaging and products for e-commerce. It also says it supplies 30% of the 11.5 billion envelopes delivered by Royal Mail each year.

Early last year Encore acquired the business and assets of failed rival Great Northern Envelopes (GNE). It had previously acquired Tompla's UK business five years ago.