PLDT call center unit hikes capital to P300M

ePLDT Ventus Inc., the call center arm of Philippine Long Distance Telephone Co., is raising its authorized capital stock to P300 million from P100 million.

The capital increase has already been approved by the Securities and Exchange Commission. Of the P200 million capital increase, P150 million has been paid via conversion of liabilities into equity. ePLDT Ventus, a 100-percent subsidiary of PLDT, provides offshore, cost-effective outsourcing solutions specializing in inbound customer care. Its clients include Fortune 500 companies, including the largest floral wire service company in the US.

ePLDT Ventus operates six call center facilities located in the cities of Makati, Taguig, Pasig, Mandaluyong, Quezon and Iloilo, Rendering primarily voice-based services to large US-based clients and outsourcers.

As of end-March 2006, the company’s six facilities had a total of 3,690 seats and 3,842 employees. By the end of the year, it is projected to expand to about 4,400 seats and 5,200 employees.

The company’s net income reached P271.2 million last year while earnings before interest ,taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) amounted to P405.6 million.

Revenues, on the other hand, hit P1.94 billion.

For the first quarter this year, ePLDT Ventus reported a net profit of P93.6 million on revenues of P563 million, compared with revenues of P408 million and net income of P49.8 million in the same period in 2005.

The company’s 1,600 square meter call center in Iloilo can accommodate 300 seats. Once it reaches full capacity, it is expected to generate $1.075 million in annual net income.

Other services of ePLDT Ventus include web co-browsing, inbound product inquiries, outbound sales, inbound sales, outbound collections, inbound technical support, data entry, email handling, business process outsourcing services and web chat.