Stream's growth praised by Invest NI chief

Londonderry-based Stream, the US-owned technical support centre, is growing strongly in an intensely competitive global market by adding value to its expert services and a continuous investment in the skills of its people.

This is according to Leslie Morrison, Invest Northern Ireland chief executive, who was speaking during a visit to the company at the Ulster Science & Technology Park, Springtown.

Stream is a contact centre providing technical support to major international corporations such US industry leaders Hewlett Packard and Dell Computer.

Acquired last year by ECE Holdings Inc, a Dallas-based provider of outsourced technical support and customer services, the company expanded its business last year and almost doubled its workforce from 380 to 600. The Derry operation is now an integral part of a global business trading under the Stream identity.

Mr Morrison: “Stream is competing successfully in the global marketplace through a business strategy based on continuous investment that ensures customers everywhere experience excellent technical support from highly qualified staff using state-of-the-art technology.

“Since its establishment in 1995, the company has benefited from the availability of quality people in the North West and has enabled many to develop their skills and gain recognised qualifications through innovative initiatives such as the unique Stream University.”

At the meeting with North West council representatives at Limavady on the North West Action Plan, Mr Morrison said Invest NI had already committed £32 million of the planned £60 million earmarked for the region by 2006.

This had levered total investment of more than £130 million by companies including Stream, DuPont, Northbrook Technology, Seagate Technology and Huco Lightronic, he added.

(MB/SP)