Updated: April 9, 2013 at 1:27 with information from Premium Marketing Enterprises founder Mike Eitelberg.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A business-to-business telemarketing company is leasing the historic Wollison-Shipton building on North Street and bringing at least a half-dozen new jobs.
Premium Marketing Enterprises Corp. signed a least last week to occupy office space in the 125-year-old building. The company, established in 1998, connects businesses in the technical, software and insurance fields by generating leads. The company already works with agencies such as Travelers Insurance and Nationwide.
"It's direct contact marketing. We're not calling people at their home. We're connecting business to business," founder Mike Eitelberg said on Tuesday.
The company was formerly headquartered in Kingston, N.Y., but Eitelberg recently moved to the Berkshires full time and is bringing the business with him. There will still be a presence in Kingston but "we're leaning more with an emphasis on Pittsfield."
With a new office that can fit 12 employees, the company has already hired four people to staff its North Street location and is looking to bring on a few more in the next few months. Eitelberg said he seeing the business growing as it delves more into the technical fields.
Eitelberg said the jobs are "median" income in a "professional work environment" with the opportunity for upward momentum.
"It is significantly above the minimum wage job around here," he said.
He chose Pittsfield in part because the office space, which is being leased by Financial Firebird Corp., has controlled costs and the city has the potential work force he needs to grow the company. The city offers a lower "cost of doing business" with the rental space.
Eitelberg said the company opened a small office in the building initially just to get a few workers in and on Friday, they will be moving into the larger space.
The Shipton building was opened in 1888.
Original story published on April 8, 2013 at 7:21 p.m.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A telemarketing company is leasing the historic Wollison-Shipton building on North Street.
Premium Marketing Enterprises Corp. has signed a lease to occupy the 125-year-old building. The company, established in 1998, provides "business-to-business telemarketing" for commercial insurance agencies such as Travelers and Nationwide.
The company has recently grown by "providing prospecting services and lead generation campaigns to the technology and software industry."
It is unclear what the company will do in the newly leased space and a phone call was not immediately returned.
The building is being leased by Financial Firebird Corp., the building's leasing agent. The Shipton building opened in 1888.
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — Berkshire Insurance Group, a Berkshire Bank affiliate, has launched a "user-friendly" website at www.berkshireinsurancegroup.com. The new site includes a chat option and a client resource center through which customers can request a quote online. Berkshire Insurance Group offers auto, home, recreational vehicle, life, long-term care, as well as many types of business insurance and more.
"We think those visiting will find it user friendly and full of information and resources," said Jim Herrick, vice president of personal lines.
Additional features include:
Network design to help visitors easily navigate across product and service offerings
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A local insurance company is going to become part of MountainOne Financial Partners.
Stevenson & Co. has joined forces with Coakley, Pierpan, Dolan and Collins, according CPDC President and CEO Timothy Dolan. CPDC is already a MountainOne Financial Partner.
The two agencies will share common expenses and systems as a way to trim costs.
"This means we'll have more funds available to spend on service and product upgrades that benefit customers," said Dolan.
John Murphy, Stevenson's president and CEO, said the move will allow his firm to remain local and independent. "Joining forces with CPDC allows us to do this. And, we'll have an expanded team of service providers and offerings," he said.
Stevenson & Co. is currently located on North Street. CPDC also shares North Street office space with its fellow MountainOne Financial Partners Hoosac Bank and True North. Once the new MountainOne Financial Center under construction in the William Stanley Business Park opens, both CPDC and Stevenson will move into the new building and close their North Street offices. Stevenson customers will be notified in advance of the move.
Stevenson & Co. has been providing personal and business insurance in Pittsfield and Berkshire County since 1867. CPDC, founded in 1927, serves personal and business customers through offices in North Adams, Adams, Williamstown and Pittsfield.
MountainOne Financial Partners, a mutual holding company headquartered in North Adams, has combined assets of over $800 million and more than 200 employees. Check out the live construction webcam at www.stanleycam.net.
