PLYMOUTH - Sprint Corp. announced Monday that the Plymouth Accounts Receivables office at 213 W. LaPorte St., Plymouth, would close Feb. 20. Jim Wagner, Sprint public affairs manager for the Plymouth, Knox, Monticello and Rensselaer districts, said the announcement was difficult.

The office collects money from consumer and small business customers for Sprint services and products. Sprint employs 150 people in the operation, 50 percent of whom live in Marshall County, many live in the Warsaw/Kosciusko area, while others live in Stark and Fulton counties. Approximately 60 percent of the employees have worked for Sprint less than five years.

The decision to close the office was made after analyzing Sprint's overall business needs and based on productivity and efficiency improvements in receivables management functions. Wagner said, "The changes and reductions are designed to strengthen Sprint's competitive advantage and to meet our financial and operational commitments. There's tremendous pressure in this industry to become more and more efficient and to react to the challenges of a competitive marketplace. This is what Sprint is doing and will continue to do."

Once the center is closed, affected employees will be eligible for separation packages, which will include severance pay and continuing benefits. In addition, out-placement assistance will be offered to affected employees. Wagner said, "The assistance will include training and information on writing resumes, job-search techniques, networking and interviewing skills. We also will work with Chambers and other businesses throughout northern Indiana to assist with former employees' placement."

Roger Fisher, Sprint's public affairs manager for the Warsaw area, said he will assist Wagner with placement of people in this area. [[In-content Ad]]