Convergys Corporation Expands Into Cornwallis

Nova Scotia Business Inc. and Convergys Corporation -- the global leader in integrated billing, employee care, and customer care services -- announced today, Feb. 17, that Convergys will expand its Nova Scotia operations into Cornwallis. The company expects to hire 175 people within the next two years.

Premier John Hamm and Gloria Griffin, senior director of site planning and development for Convergys Corp., were in Cornwallis for the announcement. They were joined by Jim Thurber, chair of the Digby-Annapolis Development Corporation and Stephen Lund, president and CEO of Nova Scotia Business Inc.

"Today's announcement is another expression of confidence in Nova Scotia's economy," said Premier Hamm. "Convergys continues to invest time and time again in our province and our people, and they've set an example for the international business community to show that Nova Scotia continues to be a great place in which to do business."

The centre in Cornwallis will mark Convergys' fourth location in Nova Scotia. Convergys is already one of the province's largest private-sector employers, with sites in Dartmouth and New Glasgow, and another nearing completion in Truro.

"Convergys believes that Canada offers a dedicated, motivated workforce of well-educated professionals and the business environment needed to deliver world-class customer care," said Jack Freker, president of Convergys' customer management group. "As the largest, outsourced customer care provider in the world, with over 11,000 employees in Canada, Convergys is very proud to be announcing our new facility in the Digby area, and we will continue to rely on these talented individuals to deliver consistent, responsive, and cost-effective customer care across multiple channels for many clients."

Convergys Corp. signed a five-year payroll rebate with Nova Scotia Business Inc. for the creation of the in-bound customer contact centre in Cornwallis. Conditional on achieving its targets, Convergys will receive a payroll rebate, paid at the end of each year (beginning at the end of year two), to a maximum of $4.8 million. Although the company expects to hire 265 people over that time -- which would result in a rebate of $2.8 million -- the agreement is designed to encourage additional growth and employment.

"The Convergys announcement is a credit to the community leaders who worked so hard to help us attract this business opportunity for the location," said Mr. Lund. "It's an excellent example of how we can work together to put forward the best business face for companies that are considering Nova Scotia for expansion or relocation." Convergys has signed a five-year renewable lease with the Digby- Annapolis Development Corporation and will begin tailoring the facility to suit its service needs. The company expects to be operational by April.

"This announcement is the result of an effective and efficient collaboration between NSBI, the Digby-Annapolis Development Corporation, the Western Valley Development Authority, the Annapolis Basin Conference Centre, ACOA and the Nova Scotia Community College," said Mr. Thurber. "It would not have been possible without the full participation of all partners and we know Convergys will experience the same co-operation and success as they become part of our community."

Convergys has operated in Canada since 1994 and employs more than 11,000 people in 11 contact centres across the country. In addition to its Nova Scotia sites, the company operates in Winnipeg, Man.; St. John's, NL; Ottawa and Welland, Ont.; Kamloops, B.C.; two locations in Edmonton, plus Lethbridge and Red Deer, Alta.

Nova Scotia Business Inc. is the province's business development agency, an organization that works with companies to provide business solutions. The private sector-led agency works to attract new businesses to the province and help those already in Nova Scotia expand through services such as export development and financing.

Convergys Corp. employs more than 50,000 people in 52 customer contact centres, data centres and other offices in the United States, Canada, Latin America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. It has its world headquarters in Cincinnati. For more information see the website at www.convergys.com .