DENVER, Mar 27, 2002 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- TeleTech Holdings,
Inc. (Nasdaq: TTEC), a leading global provider of customer management solutions,
today announced that TeleTech's operations in Asia Pacific is expanding its
nearly two-year relationship with Meridian Energy.
Meridian Energy is New Zealand's largest electricity generator, providing
approximately 33 percent of the country's wholesale electricity. In addition,
Meridian manages nearly 77 percent of the country's hydro storage.
Meridian is doubling its customer interaction center capacity to just under 100
workstations. The capacity expansion is a result of Meridian's acquisition of
the South Island customer base of On energy, resulting in increased customer
inquiries regarding installation, service repair, and billing.
The recently opened center in Christchurch, New Zealand will allow for
additional future expansion as needed. Over the next several months, TeleTech
expects to hire additional customer service representatives to support
Meridian's growing customer base.
"We are pleased to expand our relationship with Meridian Energy in support of
their long-term commitment to deliver world-class customer service," said Alex
Broughton, Chief Executive Officer of TeleTech New Zealand. "Our expertise in
acquiring, growing, and retaining lifelong customers has allowed Meridian to
focus on its core expertise of energy generation and delivery, as well as
business development opportunities. With the addition of On energy's customers,
TeleTech will serve as Meridian's voice to a total customer base in excess of
200,000, or approximately five percent of New Zealand's population."
TELETECH PROFILE
For twenty years, TeleTech has managed the customer experience for some of the
world's largest enterprises. TeleTech's innovative customer care services help
companies acquire, serve, grow, and retain customers throughout the entire
relationship lifecycle. TeleTech offers solutions to a variety of industries
including financial services, transportation, communications, government,
healthcare, and travel. With a presence that spans North America, Asia-Pacific,
Europe, and Latin America, TeleTech provides comprehensive customer care
services to global organizations. Additional information on TeleTech can be
found at www.teletech.com .
MERIDIAN ENERGY PROFILE
Meridian Energy is the state-owned enterprise formed on April 1, 1999, when the
dominant state-owned generating company, ECZN, (Electricity Corporation of New
Zealand), was split into three companies. Meridian Energy is New Zealand's
largest electricity generator, providing approximately 33 percent of the
country's wholesale electricity. In addition, Meridian manages nearly 77 percent
of the country's hydro storage. Additional information can be found at
http://www.meridianenergy.co.nz .
FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
All statements not based on historical fact are forward-looking statements that
involve substantial risks and uncertainties. In accordance with the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, following are important factors that
could cause TeleTech's actual results to differ materially from those expressed
or implied by such forward-looking statements: including TeleTech's ability to
predict future revenue and associated costs, lower than anticipated customer
interaction center capacity utilization; the loss or delay in implementation of
a customer management program; TeleTech's ability to build-out facilities in a
timely and economic manner; greater than anticipated competition from new
entrants into the customer care market, causing increased price competition or
loss of clients; the loss of one or more significant clients; higher than
anticipated start-up costs associated with new business opportunities and
ventures; as well as the potential volume or profitability of any future
technology or consulting sales; TeleTech's agreements with clients may be
canceled on relatively short notice; and TeleTech's ability to generate a
specific level of revenue is dependent upon customer interest in and use of the
products and services of TeleTech's clients. Readers are encouraged to review
TeleTech's 2000 Annual Report on Form 10-K, first, second and third quarter 2001
Form 10-Qs, and other publicly filed documents which describe other important
factors that may impact TeleTech's business, results of operations and financial
condition. TeleTech undertakes no obligation to update its forward-looking
statements after the date of this release.
SOURCE TeleTech Holdings, Inc.
CONTACT: investor relations, Karen Breen, +1-303-397-8592,
Karen.breen@teletech.com, or Dan Campbell, +1-303-397-8634,
Dan.campbell@teletech.com, both of TeleTech Holdings, Inc.
