Vocus buys Perth data centre operator, Perth iX

Stuart Corner
Monday, 28 March 2011 11:24

IT Industry - Deals

Vocus Communications (ASX: VOC) is to acquire long established Perth data centre operator Perth iX for $6.275m in cash.

Vocus said Perth iX was "widely regard as Perth's premier CBD co-location facility has a strong brand in the Perth market" and would provide Vocus with a data centre in one of Australia's fastest growing markets. The 536 square metre facility has 86 customers, a significant number of these being carriers and ISPs, according to Vocus.

According to the Perth iX web site, Perth iX was established by an IT visionary in 2001 at a cost of approximately $3.6m. Since that time, additional upgrades to core infrastructure have been undertaken at a cost in excess of $1.4m to reinforce the facility's high standards."

Perth iX is built on the ground floor of the Quadrant a few metres from St Georges Terrace in the heart of Perth's CBD. According to its web site, "No expense was spared in the quality of materials used and critical equipment was often over specified. This has resulted in triple redundancies for power, the very best in climate controls and unsurpassed security controls'¦With the data centre currently at 95 percent occupancy and client retention at an all time high, Perth iX is in excellent health, and poised to continue its success."

Vocus said the transaction would be funded from existing cash reserves and would have negligible impact on FY11 earnings. However Perth iX is expected to contribute EBITDA of $1.5m in the FY12 year. In addition to the $6.275m cash figure there is a performance earn out of up to $725,000 payable should the business exceed FY12 forecasts.

Perth iX's general manager, Adam Gardner, will continue to lead the Perth team, which will be integrated, into the Vocus technical and operational teams.