Top Black ICT Company 2003, Lechabile IT Services has announced that it has signed a deal with Dan McMahon (previously of MGX Storage Solutions) that will see the establishment of Lechabile Storage Solutions (Pty) Limited. McMahon acquired the storage solutions business from MGX through a management buy out in 2003. Lechabile IT Services will hold 51 percent of the new company.
Lechabile Storage Solutions will focus on Information Lifecycle Management (ILM) solutions and aims to provide world-class products and services that deliver cost-effective data storage, management and availability throughout the information lifecycle.
"This is an exciting deal for us," says MacMahon, CEO of Lechabile Storage Solutions. "Even during the old MGX days, we had been actively looking for a suitable BEE partner for the business. However, it was Lechabile IT Services who best fit the bill. They are an established company, with strong business alliances within our industry sector and a proven track record of success. Being named Black ICT Company of the Year only served to indicate that we were making the correct choice."
According to Winston Mosiako, Managing Director of Lechabile IT Services, the company had recognised that in order to grow the business as intended it needed to be able to offer its customers a value added solution. "It is through the professional skills and understanding of the business implications of storage that reside within Lechabile Storage Solutions that we hope to achieve this quality of service. Lechabile has always been involved in IT infrastructure and for the past six years has very successfully sold and implemented storage products. But the time had come to move to the next level - the provision of professional services and solutions in terms of data storage.
"The investment with McMahon and his team is solid and very hands-on. The dynamics of the two companies are complementary, and the cultures and strategy are in alignment. Executive members from Lechabile IT Services will be directly involved in the management of the new company," continues Mosiako.
While Lechabile Storage Solutions may be in its infancy, the business behind the name has been in existence for 22 years. It first began as CMS, which was later acquired by MGX. Despite the strains of the last year, most of the skills have remained and Lechabile Storage Solutions consequently has personnel with over 15 years experience in ILM solutions.
"We are fortunate to have retained these valuable skills and expertise, as it provides a tangible competitive advantage. In fact, our customers are just as enthusiastic about the deal with Lechabile as we are, because they see a perfect marriage between the experienced professionals and the up and coming go-getters," says McMahon. "And I think it is this interesting combination that will drive Lechabile Storage Solutions to become top of mind in the ILM game going forward."
But the deal is not only about creating a leader in the storage industry. It also contains an element of staff development and skills transfer. Ten percent of the deal has been set aside for staff share incentive schemes, and six staff members from Lechabile IT Services have already moved across to Lechabile Storage Solutions, where they will be mentored and trained in ILM. In addition, the storage company runs an in-house Storage Academy.
Explains Mosiako, " Skills development continues to be an important focus for us as a group. Through the dedicated Storage Academy, we hope to educate customers, staff and even the community, via training sponsorships, about ILM."
Commenting on being named the Best Black ICT Company for 2003, Mosiako proudly acknowledged the prestigious recognition from the industry and the confidence that such an award creates amongst stakeholders. "The award confirms to me that Lechabile has been doing the right thing for the past six years, and doing it well. It was always our intention to be seen as the preferred technology partner even once the initial BEE rush was over and I am proud of our team for achieving this."
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