Call centre renews job hopes

The announcement doubles the workforce at the centre

Up to 150 new jobs are to be created in a south Wales town after a contact centre company won a new contract worth around £6m.

Support services company Hyder Business Services (HBS), based in Cwmbran, has secured a deal to provide services for utilities firm Virgin Energy.

ITV Digital's troubles have led to job fears in west Wales

The news follows last week's announcement that Newport-based telecom cables factory Pirelli is to close with the loss of 200 jobs, after an unprecedented drop in demand.

Elsewhere, there is concern over the future of 900 jobs at a west Wales call centre after troubled broadcaster ITV Digital went into administration.

But the company, which employs the 900 customer service workers at its Pembroke Dock offices, dismissed any fears about the facility as "speculation".

In Cwmbran, the contract for HBS means there will be vacancies for salespeople to promote Virgin Energy's electricity and gas services to the public.

Potential expansion

The deal, which was won after fierce competition, will double the workforce at the contact centre and takes the facility near to its capacity of 300 workers.

Adding Virgin Energy to our portfolio of clients is a significant achievement

John Jasper, HBS Group Chief Executive

"Our contact centre facility has grown substantially and has a fine track record with a number of well known, blue chip companies," said John Jasper, Group Chief Executive for HBS.

"Adding Virgin Energy to our portfolio of clients is a significant achievement and I am delighted that the company has chosen Wales - and HBS in Wales - for this project".

Staff will receive specialist training for the work and will initially be offering VE's services to potential customers.

There is also the possibility of expanding into other Virgin product services as the contract progresses.

HBS has been based in Cwmbran for four years, and other clients at the contact centre include Legal and General, British Gas and Stonebridge.

Job losses

The news follows several announcements of job cuts in south Wales.

At the end of March 2002, the Royal Mint revealed that up to 200 jobs could go at its offices in Llantrisant, near Cardiff.

Jobs were lost at Alcan in December 2001

But the biggest blow came in June 2001 when Corus announced the end of steel making at the giant Llanwern works near Newport.

More than 1,300 jobs were lost in that move, and the closure of the company's Ebbw Vale plant will result in another 780 redundancies.

Elsewhere, aluminium company Alcan announced 310 job cuts at its plant in Rogerstone, in December 2001.

Also at the end of last year, cable television company NTL closed its Newport call centre as part of a nationwide programme of cutbacks.

And hi-tech manufacturers ESM - formerly Newport Waferfab - shed 235 jobs after calling in the receivers in January.