Amazon to Create 900 New Jobs in Edinburgh

BOSTON and EDINBURGH, Scotland, May 25, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading online retailer, Amazon is to create 900 jobs in Edinburgh, Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond announced today. The company will create a new Customer Service Centre at Waverley Gate, Edinburgh, creating 500 permanent and 400 temporary jobs. The new centre will handle both internet and telephone customer queries for Amazon.co.uk including technical support for Amazon Kindle and MP3 services.

The new facility in Edinburgh represents a significant expansion of Amazon's current Scottish operations and is being supported by a 1.8m pounds sterling ($2.9 million dollars) grant from Scottish Development International to help train new staff and support the construction fit-out of the new premises, expected to open in August 2011.

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.

"Amazon is globally recognised as a leader in online retail and I am delighted that the company is expanding its Scottish operations with the creation of a new Customer Services Centre in Edinburgh," said Scotland's First Minister Alex Salmond.  "Amazon has a substantial presence in Scotland and this announcement is testament to the quality, strength and skills of its Scottish workforce. This news provides a significant boost to the local economy, creates 900 jobs in the heart of Edinburgh, and demonstrates the company's commitment to working in Scotland."

The company already has a substantial presence in Scotland with operations in Gourock, Glenrothes and South Queensferry. In January, Amazon announced that it would create a further 950 jobs in Scotland – 750 jobs in Dunfermline and 200 jobs in Gourock.

"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," said Allan Lyall, vice president of European Operations and Customer Service at Amazon. "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."

"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. "Amazon's decision to invest in Scotland was due both to the availability of a high quality workforce and the support from 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."

About Scottish Development International

Scottish Development International (SDI) is a government agency which helps overseas businesses tap into Scotland's key strengths in knowledge, high level skills, technology and innovation. SDI also works to help Scottish companies do more business overseas and to promote Scotland as a good place to live and work. Its work is guided by the Scottish Government's strategy for economic development in Scotland. www.sdi.co.uk

SOURCE Scottish Development International