Senator Coons visits company insourcing to Delaware

This weekend, Senator Coons paid a visit to top leadership from Appletree Answering Service, a fast-growing business with offices in Wilmington. A live answering service, Appletree has grown from a two-room office to employ more than 600 people in 22 locations across the United States. As their business grows, Appletree is “insourcing” call center jobs by moving them back from overseas to the U.S.

Chris had breakfast with Appletree’s CEO, John Ratliff, and 130 other company leaders as they held their corporate retreat in Wilmington on Saturday. At the meeting, Chris discussed the business climate in Delaware and heard more about Appletree’s business model, which relies heavily on customer service. John Ratliff told Chris that much of their success is dependent on moving jobs back to America, as their clients are eager for call center employees who are located in the same geographic region as their customers.  

At Saturday’s retreat, Chris was also treated to a presentation about Appletree’s internal program, known as “Dream On.” Intended to help the company get to know their employees better and make a positive impact in their lives, the programs grants wishes to employees in need, similar to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Following a video about the program, Chris told Appletree how grateful he was to have a company so committed to its employees looking to expand in Delaware.

In 2007, Ratliff was named Entrepreneur of the Year by the New Castle County Chamber of Commerce for his work at Appletree.

Before he left, Chris told the group, "You’re in one of the most exciting, highest potential, highest touch, highest quality customer service businesses in our country. I look forward to coming back when you are ten times bigger, when you have been named one of the fastest growing private companies in America, and when you have been ranked one of the best companies in the world to work for, all of which I am confident will happen. I love great places to work. You’re in one of them. Let’s help it grow together."