Gulf Networks inks buyout to cement partnership

Joins forces with IT Made Easy

By Amanda Sachtleben, Auckland | Tuesday, 09 February 2010
Gulf Networks has cemented a long-standing partnership by buying fellow Auckland services company IT Made Easy.

IT Made Easy managing director Shane Harris, whose company is a one man band, and Gulf Networks director Uli Knapp say they have filled in at each other’s firms during the past six years. The companies share specialisations in networking and consulting, and Knapp says the move is aimed at extending his company’s customer numbers and generating more referrals.

“It’s a relatively easy way to grow your client base and your size. It was also low risk because we knew Shane and his client base.”

Harris became Gulf Networks’ network engineer when the deal took effect on 11 January.

He looks forward to having the backing of Gulf Networks’ nine staff, with another six working for Gulf Networks’ sister company Netactive, which focuses on web development and hosting.

Knapp says the buyout is a big step for Gulf Networks as it has never acquired a company before, but says it will benefit from adding another engineer to the company’s team.

Established in 1996, Gulf Networks’ vendor partners include Microsoft, HP, Citrix and Symantec.