A contact centre is set to become one of Arbroath’s biggest employers by adding 100 jobs to its workforce.
Journeycall, which deals with the Oyster Card for Transport London, will start moving in to its new operations centre on the Kirkton Industrial Estate early next month and plans to go live in December.
The move, predicted to deliver a £30 million boost to the area’s economy, will see the company’s payroll rise by a third to around 300 by the middle of next year.
The firm is relocating its entire operation to offices at James Chalmers Road from premises in Brechin and Laurencekirk.
The process involved the transfer of some 200 personnel and 100 more staff are being recruited to serve the company’s growing customer base.
The additional staff should be on board by the middle of next year.
Journeycall and its parent company, ESP Systex, are the UK’s leading providers of integrated solutions and bureau services for smartcard schemes.
They develop, deliver and support smartcard systems for the transport, leisure, education and security market sectors.
Journeycall staff take incoming calls and give advice for the Oyster Card, the smartcard used by millions of Londoners on bus, underground and rail services.
Other clients include London councils, the North East Transport Partnership in the north east of England, Stagecoach and Megabus.
Theresa Wishart, Journeycall’s operations director, said the current employees will begin moving to the new premises in early November, when they will be joined by the first of the new employees.
“This is an exciting time for Journeycall,” she continued. “Since the company started in 2003, we have strived to evolve.
“Relocating to larger premises with more employees will enable Journeycall to continue with our long-term plans by further increasing our range of specialist services to existing clients while also targeting new business.”
Journeycall was assisted by Angus Council’s business team in the recruitment of new personnel. Economic development officers hosted awareness raising days, sourced interview locations and provided induction training.
They also worked closely with Journeycall to ensure that new employees who are no longer able to claim benefits are not financially disadvantaged while waiting on their first pay packet.
“The support provided by Angus Council’s business team has been invaluable,” continued Theresa.
With 100 new jobs, it is estimated Journeycall’s relocation to Arbroath will inject around £30m into the local economy over the next 10 years.
Angus Council economic development spokeswoman Councillor Mairi Evans said: “The creation of so many new jobs is very good for the local economy and for local people.
“It is rewarding to watch a company develop and it’s a source of great pride when that company is so committed to Angus.”