Rogers Communications Acquires BLACKIRON Data to Expand Data Centre and Cloud-Based Business Solutions
The addition of eight state-of-the art data centre facilities in five
major metros across Canada significantly enhances Rogers Business
Solutions’ capacity and capabilities
TORONTO, April 17, 2013 /CNW/ – Rogers Communications announced today
that it has purchased BLACKIRON Data from Primus Telecommunications
Group for cash consideration of $200 million, subject to certain
adjustments. BLACKIRON Data, a pure-play provider of data centre and
cloud computing services in Canada with approximately 4,000 customers.
The purchase of BLACKIRON Data enables Rogers Business Solutions’ to
enhance its suite of enterprise-level data centre and cloud computing services along with Canada’s leading fibre-based network
connectivity services. Canadian businesses will benefit from a single
provider able to ensure end-to-end security and reliability of
mission-critical business applications.
In 2012, BLACKIRON Data reported revenue of CDN$33.7 million and EBITDA
of CDN$13.0 million. In addition, the business recently opened a
state-of-the-art Tier III design and construction certified data centre
in Markham, Ontario providing the capacity to readily expand current
operations by more than 45 percent.
“The cloud continues to enable businesses to innovate and evolve in a
dynamic market. This acquisition presents Rogers with a significant
growth opportunity in the business-to-business market that aligns with
our overall enterprise strategy,” said Terry Canning- SVP Rogers
Business Solutions, “BLACKIRON brings an experienced and skilled team
of professionals to advance data centre and cloud business services and
we are pleased to welcome BLACKIRON’s 132 employees to the Rogers
team.”
BLACKIRON is a strong facilities-based national player with eight data
centre facilities in five major cities across Canada including Toronto,
Ottawa, London, Edmonton and Vancouver. Over the past fifteen years,
BLACKIRON Data has constructed maintained and upgraded state-of-the-art
and largely expandable facilities to service thousands of businesses
across Canada. Today, the organization’s eight data centres are located
within 200 km of 80 percent of all Canadian businesses supporting the
rapidly growing need for hosted and cloud-based applications.
“We are extremely proud of BLACKIRON’s employee contribution in building
this great company,” said AJ Byers, President, BLACKIRON Data. “As part
of Rogers Business Solutions going forward, we are confident that
BLACKIRON will continue to grow and flourish as a customer-focused and
best-in-class data centre and cloud-based services provider”.
Rogers Business Solutions (RBS), a division of Rogers Communications,
provides Canadian enterprises and partners with network connectivity
using its fibre, cable and wireless assets to support a range of
leading-edge voice, data and networking services solution. Rogers
Business Solutions owns and operates a transcontinental network with a
100 percent digital fibre optic backbone and strategic interconnect
points to the United States and overseas for seamless, cross-border and
international coverage. With an extensive customer base including
commercial, government and financial enterprises, RBS offers scalable
business communications services backed by a team of industry leading
technical experts.
To learn more about Rogers Business Solutions, visit www.rogersbusinesssolutions.com.
About Rogers
Rogers Communications is a diversified Canadian communications and media
company. We are Canada’s largest provider of wireless voice and data
communications services and one of Canada’s leading providers of cable
television, high-speed Internet and telephony. Through Rogers Media we
are engaged in radio and television broadcasting, televised shopping,
magazines and trade publications, sports entertainment, and digital
media. We are publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX: RCI.A
and RCI.B) and on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RCI).
SOURCE: Rogers Communications Inc.