Posted on May - 10 - 2010
Sitel to close its Memphis call center by June
Search our databases
A Memphis call center that employed 775 people just a few years ago will close by June.
Sitel just gave notice to the state Department of Labor that it will lay off most of the remaining workers — 135 people — at its center at 1699 Sycamore View.
“The site is ramping down due to the changing business needs of clients being supported at that location,” said Andrew Kokes, vice president of marketing for Nashville-based Sitel.
The Memphis center generally handles outsourced customer service calls for its clients, which include a health care business and some communications companies.
Some of the work done from Memphis consisted of temporary, seasonal projects that are ending, and other work was affected by the “economy, in terms of overall call volume,” Kokes said.
Dexter Muller, senior vice president for community development at the Greater Memphis Chamber, also cited the economy in the closing.
“The call-center business is dependent upon contracts, and the current business climate has reduced customers and not been conducive to new contracts,” Muller said in a written response. “This call center performed very well during the Medicare Drug Plan roll-out and on numerous other projects for customers, and we are hopeful that we will be able to attract companies to take advantage of this skilled work force.”
The closing does not reflect any larger trend in the call-center industry, Kokes said, adding, “It’s more specific to the changing needs of individual clients.”
Sitel announced last winter that it would lay off 426 people. Since then, the company decided to close the center.
Sitel opened the work site in Memphis in 2005.
Employing 60,000 in 27 countries around the world, Sitel still has Mid-South call centers in Oak Ridge, Tenn., as well as others in Kentucky, Mississippi, Alabama and George, Kokes said.
– Tom Bailey Jr.: 529-2388
Similar Posts:
- IPS Packaging to open Memphis office and distribution center
- Memphis’ dramatic growth as a rail hub has Chicago officials worried
- Cohen vows assist to small businesses
- ‘Turning the corner’: Realtors see signs of local housing rebound
- Real estate summit will discuss home market
