News & Events

A new Windsor-based HGS Canada call centre  — already interviewing for 120 positions to start in February, with as many as 600 by the fall — marks the city’s largest employment announcement in years.

 

HGS Canada president and CEO Ross Beattie said at a dignitary-filled news conference Tuesday in Windsor that the company will invest almost $4 million to completely renovate 38,000 square feet at Tecumseh Mall in the former Zellers store, which closed in the spring of 2013.

 

“At the end of the day, it is not that HGS chose Windsor, but that we chose each other, to partner in creating opportunities for this community as we prosper and grow together,” said Beattie, who noted that job interviews have already started. “As such, we look forward to developing a strong working relationship with other businesses and institutions in Windsor.”

 

Beattie said front-line staff will start at $11.50 an hour, while managers will earn between $28,000 and $100,000 a year.

 

HGS Canada is the biggest new employer in town since at least 2006, when another call centre company, Sutherland Global, opened in Windsor with almost 100 employees. Sutherland Global now employs almost 1,400 people in Windsor.

 

On Feb. 2, HGS starts training paid employees, who begin taking calls for undisclosed corporate clients in late February.

 

“We’re delighted to welcome HGS to our community,” Mayor Drew Dikens said at the announcement, noting that local discussions with HGS started in 2012. “Over a number of years they have done their due diligence and recognize the value of locating an operation right here in the City of Windsor and the County of Essex.

 

“Thank you for your investment. Thank you for your trust in this community.”

 

Sandra Pupatello, CEO of the WindsorEssex Economic Development Corporation, said the sheer number of new employees working at Tecumseh Mall will boost the region.

 

“Having upwards of 600 people every day in this retail space, it is going to do dramatic things for this area of town,” Pupatello said at the announcement. “Welcome to Windsor.”

 

Debra McVeety, general manager of Tecumseh Mall — which has dealt not only with the loss of Zellers, but more recently of Sobeys — said HGS employees will help boost the food court and 60 other stores.

 

“This is fantastic for the shopping centre,” McVeety said. “It’s very exciting. It’s no secret that we’ve had our challenges along the way.

 

“So it really creates some positive momentum for the shopping centre. It creates a wonderful story.”

 

Besides announcing that Windsor will represent HGS Canada’s 12th operation in Canada, Beattie gave the Downtown Mission a $5,000 cheque and suggested the company will partner with the shelter in the future.

 

“Please consider this donation to be HGS’s initial contribution to supporting the Downtown Mission,” Beattie said. “Not only will we be contributing to job creation and economic development in the city, but we also take pride in the fact we have the opportunity to assist some of Windsor’s most vulnerable citizens.”

 

Ron Dunn, director of development and community relations for the Downtown Mission — which served 150,000 meals in 2014 to those dealing with extreme poverty and homelessness — said the commitment to long-term support is most encouraging.

 

“The $5,000 will buy 1,600 meals, so that’s a very significant and generous donation,” Dunn said. “But the significance really is the announcement of a partnership, the willingness to continue on as an engaged community partner with the Mission.”