Loss of AT&T business leads to Norwalk closing

7/23/2004

NORWALK, Ohio - Reese Teleservices Inc. said it will close its Huron County telemarketing office Thursday, eliminating all 132 jobs.

Reese gave Ohio's Department of Job and Family Services notice this week of its intention to close the non-union facility, and it sent a letter to Sue Lesch, the mayor of Norwalk. In its letter to the city, the company said the closing was prompted by AT&T Corp.'s decision to eliminate telemarketing for consumer long-distance services.

AT&T was a major client and the loss of its business "was totally unexpected and unforeseen," the letter said. Reese was not successful in lining up additional business to keep the office open, it said. Officials at Reese's headquarters in Pittsburgh could not be reached yesterday.