Date Created: 24 November 2011
"Scotland is an attractive and competitive destination for major global companies to invest and do business" – Alex Salmond
Internet retailing giant Amazon has created 900 jobs in Edinburgh with the opening of its new customer service centre.
The new centre’s 500 permanent and 400 temporary jobs, at Waverley Gate, will handle both internet and telephone customer queries for Amazon.co.uk including technical support for Amazon Kindle and MP3 services.
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 Enterprise.
Established in 1998, Amazon offers a wide variety of products over the internet, including books, movies, music, PC and video games, software and electronics.
The new facility in Edinburgh represents a significant expansion of Amazon’s current Scottish operations and is supported by a £1.8 million grant from Scottish Enterprise to help train new staff and support the fit-out of the new premises.
The company already has a substantial presence in Scotland with operations in Gourock, Glenrothes and South Queensferry.
First Minister Alex Salmond said:
"The Scottish Government, Scottish Development International and Scottish Enterprise is working hard to attract new jobs and investment to communities across the country.
"This reinforces and supports our message that Scotland is an attractive and competitive destination for major global companies to invest and do business."
Allan Lyall, Vice President of European Operations and Customer Service at Amazon, said:
"As our business continues to grow and we move into new areas like grocery, sports and clothing, our customer services support needs to expand as well.
"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."
Chief Executive of Scottish Enterprise, Lena Wilson added:
"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 business destination.
"Scottish Enterprise has worked closely with the company, both through our team here in Scotland and internationally through Scottish Development International, to identify how we can support its business most effectively."
The time is right to invest in Scotland - find out how we can help