October 28, 1997
(Industry, Trade and Technology)

BPS Imaging first Call Centre opens doors

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Brian Tobin opened the door on 210 new jobs for the province today during a news conference which officially launched the BPS Imaging Partnership Call Centre.

Mr. Tobin was joined at the news conference by Minister of Industry, Trade and Technology Judy Foote; Vince Withers, President and CEO, NewTel Enterprises; Morris Waintraub, Manager, Retail Licensing Department, Hudson Bay Company; and Glen Seymour, Director of Network Newfoundland and Labrador.

BPS Imaging Partnership markets photographic portrait services for The Bay Portrait Studios nation-wide, and since the call centre was established in September, the operation has grown beyond its original base of 160 jobs to employ almost 210 people. "This provides a solid demonstration of the quality of our workforce and an expression of confidence by The Bay, Mr. Davis and BPS Imaging in doing business in Newfoundland and Labrador," said Premier Tobin.

Mr. Withers paid tribute to the "effective efforts of Network Newfoundland and Labrador in getting the first call centre established, and in securing the second call centre. Glen Seymour and his team have demonstrated that the right mix of leading technology, partnership strengths, and people skills can make this province a leading player in establishing information-based businesses."

Network Newfoundland and Labrador is a joint venture partnership between the province and NewTel Enterprises, established in June 1995, to pursue call centre and applied telecommunications opportunities in the global marketplace. Director Glen Seymour said the team "is focused on delivering a high level of support to the two call centres, and we will continue to develop further opportunities. It has been very important for us to establish ourselves in this highly competitive business, and we are determined to attract other related business to this province."

Contact:

John Doody, Industry, Trade and Technology, (709) 729-0050
Harry Connors, NewTel Enterprises (709) 739-2837