Former owner Snyder buys Web operation back from Wirestone
A local businessman who sold his Web site development operation to a national firm last year is buying it back.
The businessman, Tom Snyder, said he is buying the Menomonee Falls-based operation from Emoryville, Calif.-based Wirestone and will continue in business locally as Trivera Interactive. Snyder’s firm was called Websight Solutions prior to its sale to Wirestone in February of 2001.
Nine months after the merger, Wirestone announced that it was abandoning its expansion strategy of moving into secondary markets, in lieu of a more aggressive large-engagement, primary-market business model, and as the national economy was amid a slowdown, particularly in the tech sector. The focus on larger clients, engagements and markets made it increasingly difficult for the office in Milwaukee to integrate into that model, the company said.
Wirestone built a presence in seven cities, moving into the Chicago market at the same time as Milwaukee. It was quiet much of 2001, but recently acquired Sacramento-based 4th Revolution, and Internet development and marketing communications firm.
Snyder began discussions with Wirestone corporate management to "un-merge" his office in February.
Snyder, who served as a Wirestone vice president, will be the Trivera president and CEO.
"Returning to our proven original business model just makes more sense in a city like Milwaukee," Snyder said. "Business here is based on long-standing personal relationships. Instead of having to regard our local clients as problematic, we can now go back to further enhancing those rich relationships with mutual appreciation, value, loyalty and personal trust."
Originally those client engagements were limited to Web site and e-commerce projects. However, with the evolution of both the office and the technology, they have expanded to include a full range of interactive multimedia services, including CD-ROM, kiosks, content and catalog management, e-mail marketing strategies, and even branding, marketing and research.
Snyder founded Websight Solutions in January 1996. Its list of more than 100 clients includes the Durant division of Eaton Corp., Simplicity Manufacturing, Fred W. Usinger Inc., Mitchell International Airport, and the Marcus Center for the Performing Arts. Additionally, Trivera provides subcontract services for area advertising agencies including BVK, CAS Interactive and Frank Mayer & Associates.
As a part of the deal, Wirestone will refer its smaller engagements to Trivera, which will reciprocate by referring engagements outside of its local project scope to Wirestone. Wirestone is also transferring the majority of its Web site hosting operation to Trivera.
All nine employees of the office will remain with Trivera and serve in similar positions, Snyder said. Because of the expanded scope of service offerings, immediate new hires are in process, with more expected later this year, he added.
June 7, 2002 Small Business Times, Milwaukee
