Economical plans new national processing centre in Kitchener, Ont.

Economical Insurance has announced plans for a new national processing centre in Kitchener, Ont. as part of its new operating model, under which it hopes to make underwriting operations more effiicent and consistent.

The new centre, at the insurer’s Riverbend facility, will be launched this year, and will be where Economical will process a large portion of its business, according to its press release.

Hiring for the centre has already begun, the insurer noted. The company is based in Waterloo, Ont., in the same area as Kitchener, and says that the new centre is reiterating its commitment to the region.

Under its new operating model, Economical says it will implement new technologies to automate processes, establish a new organization structure and aim to bring consistency to its processes. The company said it believes that these changes will enhance the company’s productivity, efficiency and effectiveness.

“Under our new operating model, we will enhance broker and customer experience, and will produce tangible cost savings that will support our future profitable growth,” Karen Gavan, Economical’s president and chief executive officer commented in the release.

“I am grateful for the support our employees have shown towards our transformation that is enabling us to compete effectively and deliver excellent service to our policyholders and broker partners.”