Leading online retailer Amazon is to create 900 jobs in Edinburgh, thanks to a package of support from Scottish Development International.
The new customer service centre at Waverley Gate, Edinburgh, will create 500 permanent and 400 temporary jobs. The centre will handle both internet and telephone-customer queries for Amazon.co.uk including technical support for Amazon Kindle and MP3 services.
The move to Scotland is being supported by a £1.8 million ($2.9 million) grant from Scottish Development International to help train new staff and support the development of the new premises, expected to open in August 2011.
Edinburgh - an 'outstanding location'
“Edinburgh is an outstanding location, providing us with access to a highly-skilled workforce who will help us to achieve the high standards of customer service that shoppers at Amazon.co.uk expect,” said said Allan Lyall, Vice President of European Operations and Customer Service at Amazon.
The new facility in Edinburgh represents a significant expansion of Amazon’s current Scottish operations and follows Amazon’s announcement in January that it would create a further 950 jobs in Scotland – 750 jobs in Dunfermline and 200 jobs in Gourock.
High-quality workforce
Amazon’s decision to invest in Scotland was influenced by the availability of a high-quality workforce in Edinburgh and the financial and account management support available from Scottish Development International.
“When a world-leading company like Amazon chooses to invest in Scotland, it sends a message to the rest of the world that Scotland is a world-class destination, said Danny Cusick, President of the Americas for Scottish Development International.
“We’re thrilled to have secured this additional investment in Scotland by Amazon and believe this is a true endorsement of Scotland’s offering to international investors.”
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