50 Plymouth jobs face the axe
WORKERS at a Plymouth call centre have been told their jobs are at risk because the business has lost a major client.
More than 50 staff at Infoteam International Services Ltd's Plympton call centre have been told to expect redundancies because a firm, which has not been named, wants to move 'certain functions' to a cheaper alternative.
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More than 50 staff at Infoteam International Services Ltd's Plympton call centre have been told to expect redundancies
But management stressed they hope to keep the job losses to fewer than 20.
And they may even be able to save all the workers if they can attract new clients in time.
In the meantime, however, the company has had to begin a statutory 30-day consultation.
Chief operations officer Bill Proudfoot, said: "Staff in the call centre were told their jobs are potentially at risk.
"Until we go though the process we can't put an exact number on it.
"But we anticipate it being less than 20 people."
Mr Proudfoot said the firm is looking at whether it can redeploy staff to 'other jobs in the call centre' and also stressed: "We are looking to add clients in the near future."
He added: "Because of the legislation we have got to go through this process. There may be people doing similar jobs so we have to pool everyone together. It's no reflection on the staff."
Eagle Road-based Infoteam supplies technical and call centre back up for about 10 major computer and audiovisual firms.
When computers, lap tops, TVs or projectors go faulty it's where inquiries are dealt with.
In total 154 people work on site, but 100 of them are in the technical repair centre, which is unaffected.
The call centre's clients include Acer, one of the world's biggest computer firms.
Mr Proudfoot did not name the firm that has pulled out but said: "One of our clients is considering moving certain functions done by the call centre, over a period of time, away from the call centre.
He added: "It's down to the credit crunch and people thinking they can get things cheaper elsewhere."
Just last month Infoteam International Services laid off its entire night shift of 86 workers at its St Columb Major Business Park operation in Cornwall.
The company said the decision had been taken after work coming through from Europe required a higher level of skill than was available at the firm.
The centre's main contract is with Japanese electronics firm Sony, with the focus on repairing Sony Playstation games consoles.
Mr Proudfoot said the Cornish job losses were caused by 'a seasonal drop in demand'.
He said the situation was 'completely different' to the one in Plympton.
Nevertheless, the Plymouth Infoteam's announcement becomes the latest in a growing list of city redundancy statements.
Last month, electronics firm X-Fab said 65 workers are expected to be made surplus to requirements at its Roborough factory.
Princess Yachts has already made 317 people redundant, electronics giant Toshiba is to axe 270 jobs at its Ernesettle factory, Kawasaki Precision Machinery (KPM UK) has said 50 jobs are at risk, and ball-bearing maker the Barden Corporation (UK) Ltd is likely to lose up to 35 workers.
And last month the Wrigley Company, said it was likely to make 50 workers redundant because the recession has caused a decline in gum chewing.
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by Mark Bowles, Plymouth
Tuesday, January 26 2010, 5:20PM
“I also worked in the repair centre and could not agree more with purplesheep818 comments.
I have reciently spoken to an ex repair engineer who said that the repair centre has already started laying people off... 26/1/10”
by purplesheep818, Anywhere
Saturday, July 11 2009, 6:50PM
“Infoteam is an amazing place full of amazing people. The people there work hard as hell and they do a bloody good jo of helping the most stupid people you could ever actually speak to. the general public really are a bunch of morons who only complain about acer mahines because they have no sodding clue how to actually use them! So on one hand, it will be good for the infoteam workers to go out there and find better jobs where they wont have to speak to idiots all day, but on the other hand i couldnt imagine working with better people!”
by Sharkey, Plymouth
Saturday, July 11 2009, 6:03AM
“Gaffer - you have been flippant in your remarks. It might be only 20 jobs but is is a very big deal to those who would lose them. Plymouth might indeed recover but what about the people and families involved?”
by The Gaffer, Saltash
Friday, July 10 2009, 11:19PM
“To Sophia, anon, etc.
I am fully aware of the devastation suffered by any family who may be affected if job losses do arise.
If you read my comment again you will appreciate that I was writing purely about the overall affect on the economy of Plymouth.
After all, Plymouth did survive two world wars!.”
by Mum of one, london
Friday, July 10 2009, 10:25PM
“I used to work there a few years ago and they repaired products from the WHOLE OF EUROPE so Princess 300 ain't that bad”
by Infoteam Rox, Plymouth
Friday, July 10 2009, 8:39PM
“Peter Pan, Plymouth, 3 months, lmao your funny, are you sure you can actually count, provide your serial number i'll post exactly how long it took, i'll even post your address, so we can come round and kick your moronic ass, and all the rest of you that read on the internet all the crys of the morons that can't even switch on their computers, you'll find these people expect stuff handed to them for free on a silver platter and when they don't get what they want, the post all over the net, makes no odds Acer the 2nd biggest manufacturer int he world, so you can all cry as much as you want, how about you contact trading standards and see if the repair service or the actual products are as bad as you say, try getting facts before opening your big mouths ran by your tiny minds.
Now as for the call centre workers there, you can't wish to meet a more decent down to earth, bona fidi bunch, they are devastated about the news, as pointed out they have kids, mortages and unless your in or have been in the boat they are in they you have no clue what your talking about.
BRITISH JOBS FOR BRITISH WORKERS - SORT THE RUDDY ECONOMY OUT”
by Mrs. Sharkey, Efford
Friday, July 10 2009, 5:54PM
“Nicely said Sophia. From all of us to all of you. Thank you for your support. This is going to be an interesting ride...”
by Sophia Loren, plymouth
Friday, July 10 2009, 5:04PM
“The Gaffer, I take it you or no one you love or care about is affected by this story?? If you were im sure you would not have made a stupid comment like that. This news is soul destroying for the people who work there and they dont need people like you making it any worse. keep your stupid comments to yourself. Good luck Infoteam.”
by anon, plymouth
Friday, July 10 2009, 4:51PM
“to "The Gaffer - Saltash"
mate, who do you think you are? i am one of these people possibly on the chop list, and i really enjoyed my job - you may think its not a big deal but it IS TO US!!! HOW DARE YOU!!!”
by die acer die, 3 guesses
Friday, July 10 2009, 4:24PM
“The Gaffer - I'm sure it would be a big deal if it was your job.”