BOSSES at a contact centre are bucking the economic downturn by creating hundreds of jobs.
As the Mail reported last week an initial 100 jobs are being created at Respondez but the firm is hopeful that a further 300 will be created in the next 18 months.
The Hartlepool firm will boost its workforce at its Brenda Road base after clinchin
g a series of international contracts.
A company spokeswoman said that despite the current economic climate it is "onwards and upwards" for Respondez.
Sales and marketing director Sue Marshall spoke after Respondez announced the first stage of its expansion plans.
She said that Respondez is a contact centre with links all over the world and has won a series of three major contracts in the last month.
The business boost means it can immediately expand its workforce from a staff level of 100 to 200 and recruitment for the new posts is already under way.
All the posts are expected to be filled by October and the company is on the lookout for team leaders, call centre advisors and training workers.
Sue added: "This is an exciting time and we are creating jobs at all levels which is good news. We are having a high old time in recruiting at the moment.
"In terms of the business and the way it is heading, it is onwards and upwards".
Fast-expanding Respondez is the global contact centre section of the Indian owned corporate group Spanco Telesystems and Solutions.
It provides clients from across the world with a complete portfolio of services including customer service and technical support, warehouse services and a contact centre for inbound calls.
Sue said: "This has been a truly successful year for Respondez so far having won several major clients in both our contact centre and warehouse".
She said the future for the company - and potential jobs in the pipeline - was "extremely strong".
She added: "I would say that is a medium term growth plan and there will be big investment."
Respondez also plans to step up its training programme in conjunction with parent company Spanco in India and then bringing these improvements to the UK.
Spanco Telesystems and Solutions Ltd has over 4,000 employees spread over nine sites across India, UK, Singapore and a subsidiary in the US.
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