MONEY

Dell closing Nashville unit, laying off 96

Getahn Ward
gward@tennessean.com
  • Work handled by global service desk to be moved elsewhere

Dell Inc. is shutting down a customer support unit in Nashville that serves clients that have global operations, a move that will idle 96 employees.

The layoffs would be effective next Wednesday, the Round Rock, Texas-based computer maker said in a notice to the state.

Dell spokesman David Frink said work the global service desk handles will be transferred to employees at other company locations worldwide.

"We continually review our operations in an effort to remain competitive and determine where we can add the most value to customers," he said. "We'll continue to make prudent business decisions over time."

The affected employees work at Dell's Nashville customer contact center at Murfreesboro and Donelson pikes. The layoffs don't affect company employees there that provide support for customers across North America, Frink said.

Dell offers a competitive severance package, he said.

Overall, the company's Nashville campus employs 1,400 people that support its global sales, commercial support and services, help desk and secure Dell federal service desk organizations.

Last year, Dell put the 340,000-square-foot, three-building office complex at 1 Dell Parkway on the market. Frink declined to disclose the potential buyer, but said Dell plans to lease back roughly 65 percent of the space.

Several years ago, Dell stopped assembling computers in Nashville and outsourced that work to Ceva Logistics.

Reach Getahn Ward at 615-726-5968 and on Twitter @getahn.