BIRKENHEAD-BASED LinkDirect has secured a three-year multi-million pound contract with BT to deliver 42m phone books.
The deal means the door-drop marketing firm is now the biggest single distributor of phone books in the UK.
LinkDirect beat off competition from a number of rivals to land the deal, which means it now delivers the directory in 106 of BT's 168 distribution areas nationwide.
Previously, BT had handed the company a 12-directory contract in 2004, increasing that to 30 directories in 2007.
Peter Rand, operations director of LinkDirect, said: “This is a hugely important contract for the whole company, and proves the value of building a relationship with a customer over time.
“That BT has decided to invest so much of its directory business with us is a huge testament not only to our staff, but also our ability to combine reliability and accuracy with an innovative approach to technology.”
Tim Dyke, BT’s head of production and distribution, added: “This contract cements the excellent relationship we have built up with LinkDirect over the last few years.
“The Phone Book has a very demanding service level agreement and LinkDirect's accountability, targeting ability and service levels persuaded us that they were the ideal partner for us."
LinkDirect, which has built its reputation primarily as a leaflet and free newspaper distribution business, has expanded its print directory business in recent years. Managing director Chris Roxburgh said: “Our directory division has been a genuine success story of the last few years and this is the icing on the cake. “We’ve invested heavily in technology to drive up accountability and accuracy, and this contract proves that effort has been worth every penny.”
Now with 26 staff at its Merseyside headquarters, LinkDirect also works with clients ranging from major UK retailers and advertisers through to central and local government, plus directory and newspaper publishers.
Founded in 1995, it now employs more than 20 full-time staff. In 2007, LinkDirect was named Distribution House of the Year at the Data Publishers Association Awards.
