Don Wright, PA&E's chief executive said he expects between 100 and 200 employees tied to the information technology group will ultimately work out of Wenatchee, rather than Bellevue as initially anticipated.
One of the two firms being bought, MONITRx of Larkspur, Calif. develops and markets proprietary and patented computer software used in the medical technology industry. PA&E also expects to transfer MONITRx Inc.'s software over its Intranet service. PA&E said MONITRx will relocate to Bellevue, the future headquarters of the information technology group.
The other firm, Quantum Interlink Internet Inc of Provo, Utah, is an Internet provider and Web site designer with about 1,000 mostly business accounts in the Salt Lake City area. There are no plans to move the company from Utah, PA&E said.
Both companies are about two years old and employ fewer than 20 employees each.
Wright said Quantum Interlink will provide PA&E with a geographical link to a new market. The MONITRx deal is attractive because the firm possesses proprietary software.
Our plan is to integrate the similar functions of these companies to take the maximum advantage of their synergies, while continuing to build upon their unique markets, products and managerial strengths.
In late June, PA&E announced it was forming the information technology division and acquiring Brigadoon.com of Bellevue, the largest independent Internet provider in the Pacific Northwest, Market Visibility Inc., a New York City on-line information generator, and Televar Northwest Inc. of Wenatchee, another Internet provider. At the same time PA&E said it was forming a stragic alliance with Advantage Video, an Everett production company.
Those deals have yet to close.
The five new acquisitions are expected to push overall employment to about 625 people. More will be hired in information technology once that division is up and operating.
Wright said he expects to house administrative, development, and sales and marketing staff in Bellevue. A customer service and support center will be set up in Wenatchee and employ between 100 and 200 people.
It's a good addition because they're different jobs from the ones we'recurrently providing (in Wenatchee), said Wright, likening the planned service center to those maintained by credit card companies or banks. |
