60 seconds with Mail Handling International

Founders Paul Brown and Alex Lawson came to Bristol after leaving university. Paul spent a year working for a print finisher before setting up a mailing house which soon morphed into a global business. By 1998 the company had become a specialist in international mail.

Where are you based?

We’re proud of our Bristol roots; moving into a derelict building – constantly re-investing blood, sweat, tears and more to transform a no-go site into a state of the art thriving business base

How many staff do you have?

More than 70. We are a multi-national team with an office that speaks nine languages and an operational crew which has a fair few more!

What does your firm do?

We work for UK publishers and top advertising agencies in the South West and across the UK; but a large bulk of what we do is exporting materials – magazines, direct mail, sampling programmes and e-commerce, such as photobooks

What’s your typical customer?

Printers, design agencies, and print management companies who need a reliable and cost-effective partner who intimately knows international postal routes and rates

Which geographic areas do you serve?

We have distribution that covers every continent. But we maintain close ties with regional business and consider ourselves as a local company with global reach

What’s your USP? 

Our in-house software has redefined the way mail is moved around the globe, providing our clients with an unrivalled range of global postal services at exclusive wholesale rates. We help smaller companies reach international markets much more effectively and easily through access to our consolidated haulage and airfreight.

What’s been your proudest achievement in the past few years?

MHI have set a benchmark for sustainable business here in the South West. From solar powered facilities and electric fleet vehicles with plug-in EV charge points, to our 80% waste recycling policy for sending less to landfill – we’re committed to reducing our carbon footprint

What’s your team’s favourite biscuit?

We prefer nature’s sweets and have a fruit drop every Tuesday!