At the end of its first year of operation, customer communications business Lucid has attracted further growth funding from GI Solutions Group to accelerate its development.

Since its incorporation in April 2009, Lucid has led the way in employing print and mailing as part of the wider customer communications of the future.  At the end of its first year, Lucid will have traded with over 15 clients, and is expected to report turnover in excess of £1m.

Lucid Managing Director Jason Langford-Brown, a former Director of Inkfish and Stralfors, notes: "The Lucid business brings together the multiple channels that exist in today's market including print, media, web and the data that drives them all. Using the right medium for the right audience and integrating channels where appropriate is increasingly proving to be the right way to achieve better results, whether to enhance marketing activity or streamline processes and costs.

"In our first year, we have built a client base that includes: financial services firms such as Vantage Insurance; charities such as Midlands Air Ambulance; local authorities such as Sandwell Borough Council; and marketing agencies such as Edge Creative.

"We have worked on a number of projects in partnership with GI Solutions Group which, spotting the solid growth and future potential of Lucid, have made a significant investment in the business.  This investment is financing accelerated growth at Lucid, as we add value for clients by improving and/or streamlining the ways in which they communicate with their customers."

Robin Welch, Chief Executive of GI Solutions Group, adds: "What's really refreshing about Lucid is that as well as its very consultative approach and excellent technology platforms it has not shied away from print production.

"Organisations need integrated providers to help them manage the balance of physical and digital communications that their customers require. This is a common outlook between Lucid and GI Solutions Group, and one that we recognise as having major potential.

"We invested in Lucid because we have an expert understanding of the company's likely growth path, both stand-alone and in collaboration between us. Further to offering each other complementary services, system infrastructure and physical capabilities are mirrored at both sites, enabling a seamless transfer of operations when needed.

"Being at the forefront of Digital print technology, Lucid has a highly secure environment and works to strict lean manufacturing standards, enabling the organisation to really show value to clients. Lucid also provides an exceptional trade manufacturing service for a number of agencies and print managers around digital print, mailing, polywrapping and fulfilment services.

Lucid is based in Birmingham and is a member of the BPIF and the Institute of Customer Service. GI Solutions is a marketing, data analysis and customer communications specialist based in Leicester.