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By Betty Lin-Fisher
Beacon Journal business writer
POSTED: 10:54 a.m. EDT, Jul 02, 2009
An international company that three years ago came to town promising 600 full- and part-time call center and technical support jobs — or the equivalent of 400 full-time jobs — announced it will cut its staff by half at the end of August.
In a press release, Teleperformance USA said it will lay off 250 employees beginning Aug. 31. The jobs are in classifications called ''exempt'' and ''non-exempt,'' referring to managerial duties.
SR. Teleperformance Group of Paris started taking calls for its Teleperformance USA operations at 150 E. Market St. in April 2006.
The company leases all three floors and 52,000 square feet of a former Ohio Bureau of Employment Services building for a 24-hour-a-day operation. The building was renovated and is owned by a group of investors that includes Akron historic building renovator Tony Troppe and Jill and Bob Madden, who recently have begun opening a competing call-center firm across town, PlusOne Communications.
Bob Madden was also a vice president of national accounts and consultant for Teleperformance at the time the firm came to Akron.
In the press release, Teleperformance said the center had provided customer care services on behalf of a major cable communications provider.
''The layoffs are a direct result of the client's decision to reduce excess capacity and streamline some operations into a lesser number of locations. Teleperformance management emphasized the client decision is not a reflection of performance at the Akron location, but rather a strategic move designed to better align resources and enable the client to fully focus on its core competencies,'' the statement said.
Company spokesman Mark Pfeiffer said he could not identify the client for confidentiality reasons.
Three years ago when the company arrived in Akron, company officials said they would be taking inbound customer service calls and offer technical support for Cox Communications of Atlanta.
Mayor Don Plusquellic and deputy mayors David Lieberth and Bob Bowman were notified of the layoffs Wednesday.
''This is a reflection of the national economic downturn, and is the result of the company's national client wanting to reduce overall costs. We do not believe it is related to the business of any other Akron area call center,'' Lieberth said. ''The mayor is concerned about any loss of jobs in the city, and we continue our efforts to generate new jobs and retain the employment that we have.''
The Maddens were not available for comment regarding the Teleperformance layoffs or whether they believed the layoffs would affect the new PlusOne Communications at 1115. S. Main St. The new company has had hundreds of people wait in line to apply for jobs.
The company said it projects to have up to 1,500 employees in 15 months.
Troppe said Thursday he was not aware of the layoffs.
''All I've ever seen there is that parking lot is always full,'' he said.
Teleperformance has a long-term lease to use the entire building.
''A smart Teleperformance vendor is going to say, 'We have room to fill in other needs.' I try to find the silver lining. These guys are smart businessmen and they have a long-term lease,'' Troppe said.
He said layoffs are the symptom of the day across the country.
''The sun is going to shine tomorrow and someone is going to need a phone call or a thousand,'' he said. ''The capacity is there; the infrastructure is there. I provide the place for the businesses. It's their job to find other clients. I'm here to serve. I'll provide a great place.''
Teleperformance said it is actively pursuing new business development opportunities in an attempt to replace the work being shifted to other locations. The company said it would work closely with local officials to ensure the affected staff receive support during the transition period.
Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at 330-996-3724 or blinfisher@thebeaconjournal.com.
An international company that three years ago came to town promising 600 full- and part-time call center and technical support jobs — or the equivalent of 400 full-time jobs — announced it will cut its staff by half at the end of August.
In a press release, Teleperformance USA said it will lay off 250 employees beginning Aug. 31. The jobs are in classifications called ''exempt'' and ''non-exempt,'' referring to managerial duties.
SR. Teleperformance Group of Paris started taking calls for its Teleperformance USA operations at 150 E. Market St. in April 2006.
The company leases all three floors and 52,000 square feet of a former Ohio Bureau of Employment Services building for a 24-hour-a-day operation. The building was renovated and is owned by a group of investors that includes Akron historic building renovator Tony Troppe and Jill and Bob Madden, who recently have begun opening a competing call-center firm across town, PlusOne Communications.
Bob Madden was also a vice president of national accounts and consultant for Teleperformance at the time the firm came to Akron.
In the press release, Teleperformance said the center had provided customer care services on behalf of a major cable communications provider.
''The layoffs are a direct result of the client's decision to reduce excess capacity and streamline some operations into a lesser number of locations. Teleperformance management emphasized the client decision is not a reflection of performance at the Akron location, but rather a strategic move designed to better align resources and enable the client to fully focus on its core competencies,'' the statement said.
Company spokesman Mark Pfeiffer said he could not identify the client for confidentiality reasons.
Three years ago when the company arrived in Akron, company officials said they would be taking inbound customer service calls and offer technical support for Cox Communications of Atlanta.
Mayor Don Plusquellic and deputy mayors David Lieberth and Bob Bowman were notified of the layoffs Wednesday.
''This is a reflection of the national economic downturn, and is the result of the company's national client wanting to reduce overall costs. We do not believe it is related to the business of any other Akron area call center,'' Lieberth said. ''The mayor is concerned about any loss of jobs in the city, and we continue our efforts to generate new jobs and retain the employment that we have.''
The Maddens were not available for comment regarding the Teleperformance layoffs or whether they believed the layoffs would affect the new PlusOne Communications at 1115. S. Main St. The new company has had hundreds of people wait in line to apply for jobs.
The company said it projects to have up to 1,500 employees in 15 months.
Troppe said Thursday he was not aware of the layoffs.
''All I've ever seen there is that parking lot is always full,'' he said.
Teleperformance has a long-term lease to use the entire building.
''A smart Teleperformance vendor is going to say, 'We have room to fill in other needs.' I try to find the silver lining. These guys are smart businessmen and they have a long-term lease,'' Troppe said.
He said layoffs are the symptom of the day across the country.
''The sun is going to shine tomorrow and someone is going to need a phone call or a thousand,'' he said. ''The capacity is there; the infrastructure is there. I provide the place for the businesses. It's their job to find other clients. I'm here to serve. I'll provide a great place.''
Teleperformance said it is actively pursuing new business development opportunities in an attempt to replace the work being shifted to other locations. The company said it would work closely with local officials to ensure the affected staff receive support during the transition period.
Betty Lin-Fisher can be reached at 330-996-3724 or blinfisher@thebeaconjournal.com.
Comments
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akron, oh
Posted 11:00 AM, 07/02/2009
Well lets see what happens to the call center on Main Street - it will never hire 1500 people...
KOOKville, oh
Posted 11:04 AM, 07/02/2009
You see??? It's tuff out there. Might as well stay at home and receive money from the govt that I paid into.
AK, Oh
Posted 11:16 AM, 07/02/2009
I call this a wash.. "when you dirty you got find a way to get clean"
Akron, Oh
Posted 11:18 AM, 07/02/2009
Where is the jobs Pres (messiah) OBAMA is creating?
Oh ya it's in the government sector
burlington, nc
Posted 11:44 AM, 07/02/2009
I hope all 250 voted for the Idiot-in-Chief.
Posted 11:49 AM, 07/02/2009
bams67
WAHHHHHH!!!!!!!
Akron, OH
Posted 12:48 PM, 07/02/2009
Ooops, another broken promise
Akron, OH
Posted 01:37 PM, 07/02/2009
Oh please. Telemarketing calls are nothing more than pure HARASSMENT.
If the company offered something consumers need, like and find USEFUL, their business would succeed.
Akron, OH
Posted 03:45 PM, 07/02/2009
@believe God... for your info, we don't telemarket! We are an inbound call center only and take calls for customers accounts. We don't sell ANYTHING other than what the CUSTOMER asks for. Get your facts straight!!
uniontown, oh
Posted 04:06 PM, 07/02/2009
candigirl0301
Hey! So...how’s that Hope & Change working out for you?
Perhaps you can get one of them there gov'mt jobs that Obama is creating.
Then again...if the only jobs being created are government jobs and the rest of the country loose theirs, then who's left to pay the taxes to support those rockin chair jobs in the government sector?
And candygirl, if you are married then don't worry as your husband if not all ready will soon be joining you in the un-employment line.
Akron, OH
Posted 04:18 PM, 07/02/2009
Thats so funny everybody thinks they know everything only some people are losing their job! If we have done a good job we will be staying and I am one of them so tell your mama to stand in the unemployment line!!
Akron, OH
Posted 04:33 PM, 07/02/2009
Let's keep the focus here. More jobs lost.. More hope and change.. well more change anyway.. some more are going to become unemployed.. so one can say their life has "changed".
Posted 05:26 PM, 07/02/2009
Hey citizens. Would you like to save trillions of dollars instantly. Demand the end to the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Why should we accept school budgets cuts and historicaly high un-employment. No longer be distarcted by the economic crisis
Demand the End to these wars.
Posted 05:31 PM, 07/02/2009
More jobs lost to a City that Donny Boy promised was growing and he keeps bringing jobs into. look what you all voted for. Don't blame OBAMA on this one....Donny boy, should fight harder. By the way, where the hell is he, havenot heard on word form him since he won, figured he doesn't have to answer to anyone again.
Posted 05:34 PM, 07/02/2009
Ending of the wars are not going to have that money find its way into the schools budgets, if you think it will than you are a poor misguided soul. The wars have not a dman thing to do with the school fundings, the states do not want to put any money into the schools.
Posted 05:44 PM, 07/02/2009
The only econimic crisis is financing this ridiculously expensive wars. Fix the budget stop the war.
Posted 05:53 PM, 07/02/2009
Hey no clue.
If the federal government did not spend so much money on the war. It can be allocated to the states specifically for public education. Just a lesson is Government for you.
Akron, OH
Posted 07:21 PM, 07/02/2009
@EducatedOne The key word in your last post is "can".. You honestly don't believe that the money would be "earmarked" for schools/ Murtha undoubtedly will need more money for his "international airport".
Mogadore, Oh
Posted 07:39 PM, 07/02/2009
I think it is a shame that this is happening, My boyfriend works for the company, and we just found out that we are expecting our first child, I am a full-time college student and we need him to have his job. The whole matter is heart-breaking.
akron, oh
Posted 09:13 PM, 07/02/2009
another donnie boy lie.... good job voters.
Posted 11:01 PM, 07/02/2009
If you don't like it here in Akron/Summit County [dduckster, noclue] -- move. Move to Cuyahoga county where the mayor barely says a paragraph a month. Where the County government officials will all be heading to prison. Where they are still paying for new carpeting in the baseball team's offices ['cause it's in the contract]. Where the high school graduation rate is dropping.
Move. You won't be missed and you'll have so much more to complain about. Move. Let me know when....I'll help you pack.
Richfield, OH
Posted 11:54 PM, 07/02/2009
Obama will say it's not 250 jobs lost BUT 50 jobs saved.
Akron, OH
Posted 02:25 AM, 07/03/2009
I don't think Obama has a lot to do with an Akron call center. He's got a lot on his plate, but he's not managing that as far as I can tell.
The transitioning away from MAKING THINGS that drastically accelerated under Clinton has more to do with this than anything Obama has done/not done. Of course, the Clinton program was given a shot of steroids by the Bush administration. They're both operating off the Milton Freidman playbook. Unfortunately, Obama isn't challenging it too hard.
But keep blaming Obama. It's easier than thinking about the roots of the problem.
Posted 04:37 AM, 07/03/2009
Tony Troppe plays the city for a fool AGAIN
akron , oh
Posted 05:44 AM, 07/03/2009
everyone in hudson knows the maddens are con artist for the democrats .
they were part of the scam to defeat brian daley in hudson .
now the do this con job right before the recall election on new jobs for plus one but they didnt know about these layoffs at there old place .
what a con job .
akron, oh
Posted 06:48 AM, 07/03/2009
mjct
Posted 11:01 PM, 07/02/2009 If you don't like it here in Akron/Summit County [dduckster, noclue] -- move. Move to Cuyahoga county where the mayor barely says a paragraph a month. Where the County government officials will all be heading to prison. Where they are still paying for new carpeting in the baseball team's offices ['cause it's in the contract]. Where the high school graduation rate is dropping.
Move. You won't be missed and you'll have so much more to complain about. Move. Let me know when....I'll help you pack.
Your the one with no clue................ And I am glad I won't be missed. You R-Tards that want to stay behind deserve what you get. And trust me, it's coming.
Akron, OH
Posted 07:12 AM, 07/03/2009
{{{If you don't like it here in Akron/Summit County -- move.}}}
((chucklin')) How about iff'n this poster likes things the way they are so much, and can't stand the idea of any-buddy reflectin' a little criticism, they can pay for the ones that are unhappy.
Akron, OH
Posted 07:30 AM, 07/03/2009
I'm fortunate to live in a city where apparently everyone was immediately and resoundingly successful after their first 6 months on the job.
I think you're forgetting Obama's job is doing a bit more than asking, "Do you want fries with that?"
Akron, OH
Posted 09:11 AM, 07/03/2009
Stop blaming Obama for what Bush did to the economy and our country. no one is placing the blame where it belongs (as expected) Bush!
Barnsville, Ohio
Posted 09:11 AM, 07/03/2009
Telemarketing people. Maybe we'll have less interuptions at supertime! Even if your on the do not call list, it does'nt stop them.
Akron, OH
Posted 09:18 AM, 07/03/2009
@ truth seeker- Just because the company is named Teleperformance doesn't mean it's telemarketing!! I hate that people think that! I'm an employee there we take calls from customers not the other way around! Maybe if you actually read the article you wou would have seen that. Any way I truthfully am scared of these cuts. My husband has been unemployed for over a year and we have 4 kids to support. We're thinking of moving to another state if we can get the money for it. I've been looking for a job for almost a year but this place was the first to hire me. Not that I'm not thankful for the paycheck, but I do need something better.
AKRON, oh
Posted 10:12 AM, 07/03/2009
@candigirl... don't worry about them. we both know we are not losing our jobs, just all the people who never show up. don't argue with stupid people on here.. its not worth your time..
Posted 11:41 AM, 07/03/2009
Duhhh, its Obamas fault.
Duhh, its Mayor Donny boys fault.
Duhh, if we'd stop the war all that money would go to other programs and we wouldn't lose jobs.
Are you people all on drugs? The economy is down. The company that was using the staff in the call center had a decreased need for that service. They are consolidating their operations to save costs. That is all that is happening here.
PS Read the article before you comment, this is not a telemarketing operation. And if you are getting those kind of calls (from parties you don't already do business with) get on the no call list to stop them.
akron, oh
Posted 11:57 AM, 07/03/2009
Hmmmm-wonder where all the Mayor supporters are on this one? How about all the folks that thought it was great that 1500 jobs are coming to the old Bank One building? Don't see any post from them now. Same folks involved in BOTH locations-wonder if they got a deal on this building too?
m, m
Posted 01:09 PM, 07/03/2009
great. more $8 - $10 an hour jobs going bye bye. I made $26,000 in 1982 in a steel mill. The steel plants all closed, sold over to foreign companies. No bailouts for me. The plant is now hiring, paying less now than what I made for the same position! Maybe the government and big businesses want us to all be one the government dole, working for pennies an hour. (after all the taxes we will pay).
Canton, OH
Posted 01:13 PM, 07/03/2009
Teleperformance deserves to be shut down!
That place never keeps their front yard clean and has trash all over the front lawn all the time.
There is trash all over around the building.
It's a disgrace to our society. Look at the parking lot and you see trash everywhere like a bunch of pigs live there.
AKRON, oh
Posted 01:54 PM, 07/03/2009
@THRIVING.. SO BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE HERE CAN'T PICK UP THERE ON TRASH.. EVERYONE SHOULD PAY FOR IT AND LOSE THEIR JOB. PLUS YOU HAVEN'T BEEN AROUND LATELY. THE PLACE HAS CLEANED UP ALOT. HALF OF AKRON DOES CLEAN UP THERE YARD, SO THEY SHOULD LOSE THEIR HOUSES BECAUSE THEY DON'T CLEAN UP. DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME.
AKRON, oh
Posted 02:01 PM, 07/03/2009
@ THRIVING.. SO BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE HERE CAN'T PICK UP THEIR OWN TRASH.. EVERYONE SHOULD PAY FOR IT AND LOSE THEIR JOB.. PLUS YOU HAVEN'T BEEN AROUND LATELY.. THE PLACE HAS CLEANED UP ALOT. HALF OF AKRON DOES NOT CLEAN UP THEIR YARD, SO THEY SHOULD LOSE THEIR HOUSES BECAUSE THEY DON'T CLEAN UP. DOESN'T MAKE SENSE TO ME.
Canton, Oh
Posted 03:41 PM, 07/03/2009
jlove13 - your CAPS LOCK is stuck on. Jeez....
AK, Oh
Posted 04:46 PM, 07/03/2009
Please get out and help people to register to vote. Vote and hold people accountable or get them out.
This sounds like a trade off: The building they got for a $1, they had to hire some people, so to balance the budget layoff some from the old company for the new.
akron, oh
Posted 05:52 PM, 07/03/2009
Love
AK, Oh
Posted 04:46 PM, 07/03/2009 Please get out and help people to register to vote. Vote and hold people accountable or get them out.
This sounds like a trade off: The building they got for a $1, they had to hire some people, so to balance the budget layoff some from the old company for the new.
Ummmmmmmmmm ........... DER!!!!!!!!!! Let's see, a bout a week or so back some "Kooks", "Troublemakers", "Gnats" and "Hitlers" tried just that. Boy, You people in Akron are dumb. Real dumb.
akron, oh
Posted 06:18 PM, 07/03/2009
Hey,...told you so! The politicians will spew anything at the moment they need to, and we will still be filling up with more BS rhetoric from them. PEOPLE- there are no jobs coming, just too many jobs leaving and meny more that will never be CREATED. There is no change that I can even begin to believe in. More regular Americans will continue to suffer and struggle to survive. More decent people losing their jobs in Akron.
There will be no bailout for the regular guy and his family. Tax my employer provided health care, increase the tax on fuel, tell me I can get a $4500.00 discount on a better car that has to be new, so I can't afford it!!! This used to be America. Now, it is Amerika, land of the rich and free and the home of the broke, unemployed working class.
We must get the politics out of the business, the police department and the economic development because it has polluted our opportubnities for liberty and tainted our ability to raise a family within reason.
m, m
Posted 07:06 PM, 07/03/2009
And, as you go to Wal-Mart to buy your 'green' CFL light bulbs made in China, remember your politicians banned the old light bulb. You know, the ones made here in the USA by Americans making a livable wage. Obama and his cronies are 'elitists'. If you do not have a college degree, (preferably Ivy League), you are worth nothing. You are worthy of nothing but scraps. Not everyone is 'college'.
Akron, Oh
Posted 07:32 PM, 07/03/2009
they arent a telemarketing center.. they answer calls for a cable company... it is in-bound not outbound... I use to work for them... I loved it but I knew that in summer months they cut hours down to a pitiful 5 hours a week... glad I dont work there now... hope they get it together...
Akron, OH
Posted 10:56 PM, 07/03/2009
WHAT SOME PPL AT TP FAIL TO REALIZE IS THAT THE BAD PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE LET GO AND SOME GOOD PPL. TP IS LYING WHEN THEY SAY THAT PERFORMANCE IS NOT THE REASON WHY THESE LAYOFFS ARE HAPPENING. THEY LAY OFFS ARE HAPPENING BECAUSE THE LAS VEGAS MARKET IS NOT HAPPY WITH THE QA SCORES OF OUR AGENTS AND HAS DECIDED NOT TO RENEW THE CONTRACT. NOW WHY SHOULD THE GOOD AGENTS BE AT RISK FOR TERMINATION WHEN THEY DONT MESS UP LIKE OTHERS? NOT FAIR AT ALL.
Akron, OH
Posted 11:43 PM, 07/03/2009
Another failed project of Tony Troppe.
North Canton, OH
Posted 11:45 PM, 07/03/2009
Anyone else notice the sign that says "You are a valued employee?" How would you like to walk by that sign in work knowing there's a 50% chance of layoff soon? This is how office buildings get set on fire...
Akron, oh
Posted 04:28 AM, 07/04/2009
At least the turtles will have a tunnel to walk through, instead dodging traffic and cheating death!
Akron, Oh
Posted 09:13 AM, 07/04/2009
I guess they won't be able to buy those upscale condos now..........
Anti-Politically Correct & Anti-GOP, OH
Posted 09:37 AM, 07/04/2009
Wow. That stinks! I really feel for these folks who are going to be laid off. I got laid off twice while BUSH was in office and I turned things around in May (Obama) with a brand new company that is thriving and slammed with business. Get on the job boards and look for those jobs. Spend about 8 to 10 hours a day looking! I got a better salary and better opportunities after I was off for almost 5 months. All you have to do is stick to your guns and don't settle for less than what you need to make a living and pay the bills. Something better is always around the corner. Like one person mentioned in here, think of this as a fresh start.
Akron, OH
Posted 10:27 AM, 07/04/2009
Aww that sucks....on the good side Time Warner is hiring so COME WORK HERE!! Good luck to all of you and it doesnt matter where you move everywhere is suffering from job loss you morons! :)
Akron, Oh
Posted 11:42 AM, 07/04/2009
Change will occur but it does not occur overnight. Just like when you gain 100 extra pounds. Did you gain it overnight? NO. Will you lose it overnight? NO.
Posted 09:53 PM, 07/09/2009
Ive heard of a great site called callcentercrossing.comIts better than any other site because only shows you jobs from employer websites and every other job board out there,and has more jobs than any other sites.These jobs are also not advertised so you have a better chance to get a job.
work at home call center jobs
home based call center jobs
telemarketing jobs
inbound call center jobs
