Direct Energy Expands In Arizona, Intends to Grow Business In The State, "Through Enhanced Retail Market Competition"

Direct Energy announced that it is expanding the company's footprint in Arizona with a new, comprehensive call center, "which will play an important role in the company's growth."

"The new call center shows Direct Energy's commitment to harnessing our energy expertise to make a difference in Arizona among the community, the people we serve, and our employees while also intending to grow our business and footprint in the state through enhanced retail market competition," said Steven Murray, president, Direct Energy Residential [emphasis added].

Direct Energy already has a call center in Phoenix employing 150 people. With the new call center to be located in Tempe, Direct Energy will expand its Phoenix regional base and employ an additional 250 to 300 people, creating new jobs in the Greater Phoenix region.

"Our existing Phoenix call center has been successful for Direct Energy and is bursting at the seams," said Eddy Collier , president, Direct Energy Services. "Our new call center is being expanded to cover call taking for our very large Residential Energy business, allowing us to offer a wide range of products and services in one location for the benefit of our customers."

Direct Energy said that it continues to pursue an, "aggressive organic and acquisitive growth strategy in North America and position itself to meet all the energy needs of services, business, and residential consumers."

Direct Energy will move into the new facility in February. The company expects the call center to be fully functional by the end of the first quarter of 2013.