Systemax creates 400 jobs in Jackson County, Georgia

Monday, October 18, 2010

Contact: Office of Communications 404-651-7774, For Systemax: Dianne Pascarella / Nancy Zackary Brainerd Communicators, Inc., 212-986-6667

JEFFERSON — Governor Sonny Perdue joined with Systemax Inc. (NYSE: SYX) and local officials in Jackson County today to celebrate the grand opening of the company’s facility. Systemax, a Fortune 1000 company and one of the nation’s leading electronics retailers, is opening a distribution center, TigerDirect retail store and business sales office in Jefferson. The company is investing $15 million in the facility and expecting to hire approximately 400 full-time local-area employees over the course of the coming five years.

“We welcome Systemax to Georgia. The company’s decision to come here is a great win for job-seekers in the region and will provide a real boost to the local economy,” said Governor Perdue.

Systemax is a leading retailer of brand name and private label products, including personal computers, notebook computers, consumer electronics, computer-related accessories, technology supplies and industrial products. The company is leasing a 459,000-square-foot multifunctional facility located on 40 acres in Jefferson.

“The new Georgia facility is an integral component of Systemax’s growth strategy for our North American consumer and business customers. The facility’s ideal location and talent pool availability will allow us to better serve the needs of our growing customer base and create a significant boost to Georgia’s economy,” said Richard Leeds, Chief Executive Officer of Systemax Inc. “Through our TigerDirect store, we look forward to providing our vast selection of consumer technology products to shoppers in the greater Atlanta area.”

The facilities distribution center will house state-of-the-art equipment to meet the needs of the company’s growing customer base. The facility will fulfill Internet, catalog and inbound phone-based orders. Additionally, the distribution center will allow Systemax to provide greater productivity and deliver shipping merchandise to the company’s 40 retail stores in North America, enabling a quicker fulfillment of products.  The sales office will also allow Systemax to serve the needs of its growing business-to-business customer base.

The new TigerDirect store utilizes the Company’s in-store shopping technology, Retail 2.0, which enables customers to research TigerDirect’s product information using nearly 300 screens throughout the store. With a single touch, shoppers can find images, customer reviews, product manuals, and video demonstrations.

Systemax has already begun recruiting employees through the Georgia Department of Labor and has started operations. In addition to 400 full-time new hires, Systemax anticipates increasing its distribution center staff as its volume of inventory increases. Job postings are currently available online at http://syxdistribution.iapplicants.com/ and http://tigerdirect.iapplicants.com/ . As a Georgia Certified Work-Ready Community of Excellence, Jackson County has a well-qualified workforce available to the company. Furthermore, Systemax is partnering with Georgia Quick Start, the state’s workforce training program, to provide customized, job-specific training to its employees.

The company has been a major employer in Georgia since Systemax opened its Global Industrial facility in the late ‘80s, which is currently in Buford and employs nearly 300 employees in an approximately 800,000 square foot facility. Systemax is pleased to expand its presence within the state, specifically selecting Georgia because of its business friendly government.

“We are extremely fortunate and grateful to have Systemax in our community,” said Shane Short, president/CEO of the Jackson County Area Chamber of Commerce. “Systemax brought a significant number of new jobs and a new industry category to Jackson County.  For the first time our citizens can purchase the type of electronics that they used to have to drive to other counties to purchase.  We owe a debt of gratitude to Systemax, the Georgia Department of Economic Development, and all those involved in bringing them to our community.”

Annie Marie Baxter was the project manager for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. Georgia Power and Cushman & Wakefield were among the many partners who assisted the company with its location.

About Systemax Inc.

Systemax Inc. (http://www.systemax.com), a Fortune 1000 company, sells personal computers, computer supplies, consumer electronics and industrial products through a system of branded e-Commerce web sites, retail stores, relationship marketers and direct mail catalogs in North America and Europe. The primary brands are TigerDirect, CompUSA, Circuit City, MISCO, WStore and Global Industrial.

About TigerDirect

TigerDirect (http://www.tigerdirect.com) serves the needs of both personal and business computer users, selling consumer electronics, computers, digital media technology and peripherals via retail stores, catalog and Internet channels. TigerDirect is a subsidiary of Systemax Inc. (NYSE: SYX).

 

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