Citing less demand, Sykes Enterprises starts aggressive trim of call center business

Citing lower demand and clients seeking to cut costs, Tampa call center company Sykes Enterprises said it will shrink its staffing by about 2,000 positions from a workforce of 16,600 in the United States, Europe and Africa. Its U.S. operation is expected to downsize by 1,200 out of 9,800. Sykes said it will exit several countries, including South Africa and Ireland, and thin its staff in country operations like the Netherlands. Sykes estimates as many as 980 of its 6,800 jobs in its region consisting of Europe, the Middle East and Africa will be cut. The company also plans to sell its operations in Spain.