Sutherland Global Services, a New York-based leading business process outsourcing (BPO) firm, said in Mumbai recently that it would add 4,000 more employees in its India operation as part of the company's expansion plans.

Sutherland, which had an employee base of 1,500 in India in September 2003, has grown rapidly in recent months to become a 7,000-strong BPO organisation in the country.

The company, which employs 10,000 people globally, has onshore delivery facilities in the US and near shore facilities in Canada, in addition to its significant offshore presence in Chennai and Mumbai.

"Over the last two years, India has contributed significantly to the growth of Sutherland," Dilip R. Vellodi, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sutherland, told a press conference here.

"Our blended global delivery model, along with our close-to-customer servicing capability has enabled us to leverage the cost advantages and deep talent resources of an emerging economy," he added.

Vellodi said the rapid growth in India had been a result of the addition of a number of new clients and significant expansion of existing contracts.

Over the past year, Sutherland also made inroads into the banking and financial services space. The company has also forayed into the retail and insurance verticals through significant contract wins from leading global companies.

Sutherland manages a global client base of over 50 marquee companies representing IT and communications, banking and financial services verticals.

Sutherland established its first offshore presence in Chennai in 2002 and expanded its footprint with its foray into Mumbai in January last year.

"India will be a key geography for Sutherland's growth in the future. Our US and Canada operations will also see growth as a result of the blended delivery model at work," said Vellodi.

As part of its global expansion, Sutherland intends to employ over 15,000 professionals globally by the end of 2005. — IANS

To promote total quality management (TQM) for achieving effective results in quality improvement projects, Punjab Technical University's (PTU) Gian Jyoti School of TQM and Entrepreneurship, in collaboration with the varsity, is launching a B.Tech (TQM) degree programme for working diploma holders and working professionals in manufacturing or service sectors. — TNS