The firm has received a significant vote of confidence in the shape of a two-year 3m-plus direct mail deal with Co-operative Retail, part of the Co-operative Group.

Co-operative Retail said Howitt had provided it with first class service and quality in the past, and it felt confident the company now had a secure future.

Howitt chief executive Nick Dixon was delighted to secure the deal, and said that personalised direct mail work would form a key part of the Sutton-in-Ashfield companys strategy going forward: We want to drive more personalisation to add value, and enhance the product set in direct mail, direct response and cardboard engineering, he said.

Currently Howitts sales split is 3.5m in cardboard engineering and promotions, 5m in direct mail and 28m in web products.

Dixon is also poised to make some key additions to his sales team, and has already signed up a senior sales person from Vertis, who is now on notice. The buyout has really make people sit up and take notice, he added. Everything is positioned for if and when the market does pick up.

Finance director Rick Taylor is negotiating with suppliers regarding ongoing support for the company. Credit lines are starting to open up, Dixon added.

Story by Jo Francis