Sitel sees revenue growth

REPORT FROM BUSINESSWORLD BUSINESS PROCESS outsourcing (BPO) firm Sitel Corp. is looking at a double-digit growth next year on the back of increased demand for BPO services coupled with an aggressive expansion outside Metro Manila. Sitel Philippines Country Manager Danilo Sebastian L. Reyes said the company is looking at expanding to six to seven sites outside Metro Manila next year. "We are expecting further growth next year. The Philippines remains the best option for offshore location. We are also looking at various options to locate in the provinces," he said in a recent interview. He also expressed optimism that the company could attract more clients from the United States, Europe and Australasia. The company is ending the year with a 50% growth in seat capacity. Global BPO player ClientLogic earlier acquired Sitel through a merger valued at around $450 million, creating one of the Philippines’ top five call center companies. Mr. Reyes earlier said the merged entity, which retained the company name of Sitel, is looking at various expansion projects in the Philippines. Among these are plans to put up new call center sites in Visayas and Mindanao over the next two years. The merged entity is operating four call center sites in Pasay City, Quezon City, Mandaluyong City , and Baguio with a total of 5,500 contact agents. Sitel expanded its Baguio site to 656 more seats in June, with an additional employment of 600 to 800 people. Sitel has 65,000 employees across 28 countries. The combined company has revenues of $1.8 billion across 145 facilities throughout North America, South America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific. — Bernardette S. Sto. Domingo/BusinessWorld