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Samsung Electronics America, in partnership with Harte Hanks, recently opened a new customer service call center in Mauldin.

The 14,000-square-foot facility at 701 Brookfield Parkway, near Woodruff Road and Interstate 385, serves as a brand new hub for Samsung Care, the customer service arm of Samsung Electronics America. The call center features workspace for 150 Samsung employees, along with a training lab for workforce development.

A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Oct. 22 to celebrate the grand opening of the new Samsung Care Customer Service Contact Center. Samsung leadership and staff, local elected officials and community partners attended the event.

“Anytime a customer calls us, they’re calling us in a time of need, and we know that it’s important to not only solve their problems but provide the best customer experience as possible when we solve their problems,” said Mark Williams, senior vice president of Samsung Care for Samsung Electronics America.

Samsung Electronics America has had operations in Mauldin since opening its first product support center within the city in 2009. The company currently has corporate offices adjacent to the new call center at 651 Brookfield Parkway. Mauldin Mayor Terry Merritt said Samsung is a company with a long history of innovation and excellence.

“We’re proud that they’ve chosen to bring and expand on that tradition right back here in Mauldin with 150 quality jobs,” Merritt said.

Harte Hanks is a Massachusetts-based customer experience company. David Fisher, president of Harte Hanks, said the new Samsung Care Customer Service Contact Center is a symbol of Harte Hanks’ and Samsung’s combined commitment to investing in people, organizations, technologies and communities like Greenville and Mauldin.

“We truly collaborated to make today a success,” Fisher said. “We couldn’t be more excited about what this means for our combined future, and I have no doubt our partnership is just beginning.”

MAULDIN, S.C. (WSPA) – Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Samsung call center in Mauldin had to go remote years ago, but today, the city is welcoming the company back to the area.

It’s on Brookfield Parkway, where the city is welcoming in a new Samsung call center.

Mauldin city officials said when COVID hit, workers had to leave the office and work from home.

“They’re here now, 150 jobs in their call center, and they will integrate in our community, and they’ll be part of, part of the city in Mauldin’s community,” said Mayor Terry Merritt, City of Mauldin.

This accomplishment was celebrated with a ribbon-cutting of the new office.

The company said working in person brings back a sense of teamwork for employees. The mayor agrees face-to-face interaction with coworkers makes for easier collaboration and improves the quality of customer service.

“If their initial team doesn’t solve the problem. Right across the hallway is the advance team that can come over and do that. You’re not going to be given another number to call. Samsung is totally immersed to solve your issue right then,” said Merritt.

“This is about taking Samsung care to a new level,” said Marcia Ellis- Green, executive director of customer support for Samsung Care.

Green has worked in customer service for years, she said the main goal when serving others is to do it in a timely manner.

She hopes this call center brings faster help to customers.

“I love helping people get through their problems. Whether it is my washing machines are not working, my refrigerator isn’t working. People don’t understand that there is a real sense of urgency. There are people who have medications and things they need in the refrigerator. We understand that,” said Green.

Merritt said the call center hasn’t reached the 150 employee threshold yet, but he said the location of the call center is suitable for the city’s growth, welcoming whoever wants to work here.

“Most of their people are from this area. So to be able to live in Mauldin and drive a mile to a call center like this, this leading edge technology, it just gives them a great sense of place,” said Merritt.

Right now, the facility is 14,000 square feet but has room for future expansion. Samsung said they’re still hiring, if you’re interested in applying, click here.

Here is a recap of the Mauldin City Council meeting on Oct. 20.

Following multiple residents stating their concerns about overdevelopment during the meeting’s first public comment section, council approved a pair of rezoning requests for 25.8 acres at Fork Shoals and Ashmore Bridge roads and 7.2 acres at 1330 Fork Shoals Road.

If approved, these properties will be used to develop Cottage Green, a multifamily community consisting of up to 527 residential units, including cottages, duplexes and garden-style apartments.

This item will go before the City Council for final approval Nov. 17.

Council approved an amended traffic and vehicles ordinance regarding no-through truck routes for semi-trucks, 18-wheelers and similar tractor-trailer types of trucks.

If approved, Owens Lane to Ashmore Bridge Road by way of Maple Drive, Owens Lane to Ashmore Bridge Road by way of Crestwood Drive, and Whatley Circle to Ashmore Bridge Road by way of Woodland Drive would be added as no-through-traffic routes.

Presently, the city’s no-through-traffic route is Hamby Drive between Miller Road and Forrester Drive. This item will go before the City Council for final approval Nov. 17.

Council approved an amended ordinance regarding the regulations of demonstrations, assemblies and exercises of expressive conduct on public trails, bridges and sidewalks.

If approved, the application period for public assemblies and demonstrations will change from 48 hours to 10 business days prior to the planned event. This item will go before the City Council for final approval Nov. 17.

During the council concerns section of the meeting, Councilmember Carol King said Justin Dean, a 2015 Mauldin High School graduate, was called up to the Los Angeles Dodgers and will be part of the team as it plays in the World Series.

Council approved a request to commission Aldo Muzzarelli to build and install his piece “The Minstrel of the Muses” along the Mauldin Art Trail. The more than seven-foot high and three-foot wide sculpture, which will consist of mostly welded steel and painted resin, and will be installed with removable concrete screws, will be installed by April 2026 and unveiled at the city’s annual Blues and Jazz Festival in 2026.

MAULDIN, S.C. - The city of Mauldin continues to be a prime destination for businesses in South Carolina. On Wednesday morning, Mayor Terry Merritt cut the ribbon on a new Samsung customer service hub. While Mauldin has already had a relationship with the electronics corporation, this new investment is expected to add more than 150 new jobs.

Following the event, Mayor Merritt said, “We’re on a roll right now, and we’re excited to see companies like this who come, not just bringing the jobs that’s great, but they bring the people that will live here.”

Also on hand were representatives from Samsung Electronics and several employees who were already working in the call center. Samsung is also partnering with Harte Hanks, which specializes in utilizing customer experience data.

"We are thrilled to partner with this multinational powerhouse and look forward to growing our relationship across the globe," said David Fisher, President of Harte Hanks. "The ongoing support of more than 150 jobs demonstrates our continued investment in U.S. talent and our dedication to providing exceptional customer experiences. This new agreement propels our vision of balancing a relentlessly human-centric approach with technology to cement the company's role as an emerging leader in the customer engagement industry."

When people call Samsung for customer care, they will be speaking directly with people at this new facility in the Upstate.

"Greenville is a thriving community with a talented workforce, and we are proud to help bring new opportunities to the region while expanding the resources available to assist our customers," said Marcia Ellis-Green, Executive Director of Customer Support at Samsung Electronics America, Inc. "Through this partnership with Harte Hanks, we will accomplish two key goals: enhancing our customer experience and investing in the continued growth and upskilling of our dedicated call center agents."