Winxnet Inc., an information technology outsourcing and consulting firm based in Portland, has merged with K&R Network Solutions Inc., a San Diego-based technology firm with expertise in automation and technical integration.

Winxnet co-founder and CEO Chris Claudio said in an interview Tuesday that the merged company will be based in Portland and he will be its CEO. He said the core staff of both companies, including their leadership teams, will remain intact.

Claudio said the transaction is best characterized as a merger and not an acquisition. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

There are no immediate plans to cut staff or change the name of either operation, he said. Winxnet is the larger of the two companies with a staff of about 90, while K&R has a staff of about 40, he said.

There will be no change in how clients access their systems or support, and they will notice no changes in their computing environments, services or other scheduled events, Claudio said.

The immediate focus of the merger will be to combine the network operations centers of each organization and improve their capabilities, Winxnet said in a prepared statement. Better innovation and access to a deeper bench of technical experts will benefit Winxnet and K&R clients, the company said, while the scalability and combined purchasing power will ensure both Winxnet and K&R remain competitive in the industry.

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“Every decision we make is focused on increasing the service quality of our products,” Claudio said. “To start 2018, we knew we wanted to focus on increasing our use of automation in service delivery while enhancing the depth and strength of our technical teams, without impacting the culture of client care that each company has cultivated.”

Recently named to the 2017 Best Places to Work in Maine list and the Inc. 5000 list of fastest-growing private companies, Winxnet has become a leading provider of managed IT services throughout New England and the eastern U.S., with offices in Portland, Methuen, Massachusetts, and Chattanooga, Tennessee. The company was founded in 1999.

“Winxnet has been fortunate to experience growth and success in a very competitive and fast-paced industry,” Claudio said. “We have a responsibility to our clients and staff to continue growth and innovation strategies that will keep pace with technology changes. The automation and technical integration expertise that K&R brings to our portfolio enables us to elevate and streamline our support.”

Founded in 2001, K&R Networks is an IT adviser and managed services provider with expertise in the life sciences, financial, medical and legal industries. The company has collaborated with Winxnet for several years through an industry peer group, said K&R co-founder and Chief Technology Officer Jeremy Kurth.

“We share common core values and are extremely excited to be taking this next step in joining teams and strengths,” Kurth said.

J. Craig Anderson can be contacted at 791-6390 or at:

canderson@pressherald.com

Twitter: @jcraiganderson


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