A MAILING company is reaping the rewards of a £1m investment as it meets increased demand from national clients at the busiest time of the year.

North-East Mailing Centre (NEMC), in Washington, Wearside, lists Next Directory, Yellow Pages, Mirror Group Newspapers and Newcastle United among its many worldwide customers.

The company's investment package, which included support from venture capitalists Northern Enterprise and the DTI, has helped it to buy equipment that is proving vital in coping with Christmas contracts such as the distribution of catalogues, charity mailings, travel guides and 2003 directories.

NEMC, which employs about 150 staff, has widened its activities to also offer data analysis and call-handling facilities alongside printing, wrapping and mailing services.

Recent orders have included the fulfillment of Yellow Pages telephone directories, Next Directories and an independent beauty survey for M magazine.

Managing director Heather Ramshaw said: "The investment enabled us to move into automation.

"This company was launched as a hand-fill operation, which is still used for special customised mailings, but within a few months, we realised the potential of automation.

"We are now able to offer a complete service to clients under one roof."

She added: "Our customers frequently have tight deadlines and we are now one of the few companies in Europe with machines capable of filling up to 12,000 envelopes an hour."

The company's contribution to the region's economy was recognized earlier this year with invitations to attend a garden party at Buckingham Palace and to the British Quality Foundation Awards.