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As a subscriber you can listen to articles at work, in the car, or while you work out. Subscribe NowBrightpoint Inc. will add 100 jobs in Plainfield as it moves its Touchstone Wireless operations from Bristol, Tenn., the company announced late Tuesday afternoon.
The Indianapolis-based wireless phone distributor also will add 200 positions at its Forth Worth facility in the consolidation, which is expected to be "substantially complete" by the end of July.
“The actions that we are taking to relocate our Bristol operations will accelerate our efforts to optimize operations, drive efficiencies, lower customer repair costs and reinforce Touchstone Wireless’ position as an industry leader in reverse logistics and repair services,” J. Mark Howell, president of Brightpoint Americas said in a prepared statement. He added that the consolidation "in no way diminishes" Brightpoint's commitment to the reverse-logistics and repair business.
The Tennessee facility will continue to operate during a transition over the next four months. Brightpoint said it will offer jobs to 350 full-time Touchstone employees who wish to relocate; 250 temporary workers will lose their jobs.
Brightpoint said the relocation will lead to growth in the Forth Worth and Plainfield operations. The company will expand the Fort Worth facility to accommodate the growth. The consolidation will cost Brightpoint $3 million to $3.5 million in lease termination and employee compensation between the second and third quarters.
Brightpoint agreed in December to acquire Touchstone, which reconditions used mobile devices, for $80 million.
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