Renovations are complete on Watts Communications' newest telecommunications centre in Charlottetown. The centre's major client, Reader's Digest USA, announced today that it will be transferring all its customer service calls to the new Watts Centre.
Since the new Charlottetown Centre began servicing calls on May 1, 2000, Watts has employed 215 people. Over the next few months, Watts will add an additional 100 employees to service both its Charlottetown and Summerside call centres, exceeding Watts' initial employment expectations.
"We are extremely pleased with the progress the centre has made over the last few months," said Colin Taylor, President of Watts Communications. "We're excited to be increasing our business with Reader's Digest and look forward to working with them on new and expanding contracts."
To service the new contract, 15,000 square feet was renovated in the original Watts facility in the West Royalty Industrial Park. The new centre, located directly below the original Watts facility, houses a new training area that accommodates 40 - 50 people and a new cafeteria and locker area for the staff at both Charlottetown centres. Watts is now capable of accepting calls in English, French and Spanish.
"The growing relationship between Reader's Digest and Watts Communications, two leaders in their fields of expertise, is evidence of Prince Edward Island's ability to flourish in a global marketplace," said the Honourable Pat Binns, Premier of Prince Edward Island. "Watt's success is reflective of its ability to expand into new markets, providing a wide range of clients with the needed technology, expertise and skilled labour that is necessary to compete in the telecommunications industry."
"This expansion of Watts' newest telecommunications centre is a very exciting step in the growth of the Island's information technology industry," said George Proud, Member of Parliament for Hillsborough. "This company has continued to grow since its inception four years ago and has become a major employer in Prince Edward Island."
Since 1996, the company has grown to include facilities in both Charlottetown and Summerside. Upon completion of its workforce expansion, Watts will employ 800 people in PEI.
This most recent expansion, including leasehold improvements, training, equipment and the purchase of the building from the Province, will cost Watts in excess of $4 million. The federal and provincial government have assisted Watts to date by investing in equipment, employee training and leasehold improvements. Human Resources Development Canada, through the Canada/Prince Edward Island Labour Market Development Agreement, has invested $930,500 in the project and the Government of Prince Edward Island has invested approximately $670,000 and a secured loan of $1.1 million towards leasehold improvements.