Parcels company opens £45m call center

 
TNT's new call centre will be linked to those in Lount (pictured) and Atherstone

TNT is about to start recruiting for a new call centre in Team Valley, near Gateshead.
It has taken a 10-year lease on the building, at £300,000 a year, part of a total spend of £4.5m.
TNT said it has been working with Abbey to hire some of the staff who lost their jobs when the bank moved them to India.
Nigel Barton, director of operations for TNT Express Services, said: "We believe our customers' best interest are served by maintaining our customer service activity within the UK.
"Our people can draw on knowledge of our business, Familiarity with the geography of the UK along with continuing the best practice customer service procedures we have cultivated over the years."
A spokesman said the first staff would move into the new building in October and the number would reach 200 by the end of next year.
It will be linked to TNT's two existing UK call centres, in Atherstone, Warks, and Lount, Leics, to offer a year-round 24-hour service.
All three are then linked to TNT call centres around the world so that all enquiries -- both national and international -- can be handled with a single call.
The spokesman said that every call would be answered by an agent -- there would be no automated systems.
Mr Barton said: "We appreciate that our customers want that 'personal touch' in their dealings with us.
"This is why we are conducting an extensive recruitment drive followed by a comprehensive training programme to ensure our people have all the skills to help customers in a professional, efficient and courteous manner."
Up to 22 TNT staff at the company's Durham depot will relocate to the new call centre.
It is part of an £80m investment by TNT over 15 months with the aim of strengthening and enhancing its network of depots around the UK.

Personal touch: Nigel Barton, 
director of operations for 
TNT Express Services

Suzanne Menzler (standing) 
is the co-project manager for 
TNT's new Gateshead call centre.  
She is pictured in the Lount 
centre with call centre supervisor 
Hilary Morrison