Faster, more flexible production – Eight Group shares success

Award-winning independent printer and marketing services company Eight Group can now produce exceptional quality, short-run, large format work, in-house, following investment in the first Konica Minolta AccurioJet KM-1e digital B2 inkjet press that has been installed in the UK. It has also eliminated the need to outsource to litho subcontractors.

Creating a winning mix

Established in 2007, Eight Group covers the full marketing mix from ideas to delivery from its production site in Nottingham. Working under the four subbrands of ‘Eight Days’, Eight Plus’, Eight Digital’, and Eight Create’ the group offers added value to customers through all channels.

Lance Hill, CEO, led a management buyout in 2021, and since then Eight Group has nearly tripled its turnover. This helped him win the coveted CEO of the Year Award at a recent packed ceremony in the BizX Awards. The prestigious awards ceremony honours the accomplishments, achievements, values and contributions of businesses and their owners across the UK, Europe, the Middle East and Africa… in a setting of innovation, networking and education.

Lance’s accoladed recognised his transformative effect on Eight Group, which has expanded under his stewardship from a print-only, 15-employee business in 2019 to a multi-service group employing 32. Eight Group was a finalist in the Best Personal Growth and Green Company of the Year categories at the same awards as well.

The operation was also named PrintWeek’s Customer Service Team of the Year 2022 & 2024, and SME of the Year 2022.

A core pillar of Eight Group is its commitment to sustainability. The carbon-neutral business is proud to have been a B Corp Certified organisation since 2023. B Corp is a designation that a business is meeting high standards of verified performance, accountability, and transparency on factors from employee benefits and charitable giving to supply chain practices and input materials.

Prior to securing the certification, Eight Group had faced unique obstacles as a print and mailing company in meeting the rigorous standards set by the B-Corp certification process. From carefully assessing its environmental impact to ensuring fair and ethical treatment of its workers, the group took every step necessary to have a positive and sustainable effect.

Throughout this journey, Eight Group has actively engaged with its community and demonstrated its commitment to social responsibility.

Finding Finance

Eight Group’s investment was financed through a loan agreement with Compass Business Finance. Lance said: “Before the investment in the Konica Minolta AccurioJet KM-1e, we hadn’t needed any finance. Compass has a big presence in our sector, whether it’s sponsoring events or just being there for customers.”

Lance’s connection with Compass came through David Bunker, one of the directors, when the pair met at a networking lunch at an IPIA conference. He said:“Compass is a trusted partner in the print industry and did a great job. The funding process was as simple and straightforward as could be. From the beginning, I felt a strong connection to Compass and David – the rest is history.

“However, even if I hadn’t met David, Compass would have been top of my list to contact because of their presence. They are well known, and have a good reputation in the marketplace, putting customer needs at the forefront of everything they do. Everything was straightforward. I’ve never heard of anything negative said about them.

“I’ve built up a good relationship with David and Compass in a short space of time even though I have only known him for little more than a year,” added Lance. “David made a point of visiting us in person, had full introduction to our business and really got a feel for what we do, understood more about what we stand for, and what we are all about. For the financing, we came to an agreement. Everything was a straightforward as far as funding can be. I was most impressed. We have never looked back. Compass Business Finance has played an important role in our journey.”