Data center and network neutral interconnection provider Cologix recently announced the acquisition of DataCenter.BZ, a facility operator in Columbus, Ohio. The transaction was closed on Feb. 4, providing Cologix ownership of DataCenter.BZ’s two network neutral, enterprise-grade Ohio data centers, which serve as a main interconnection point in the state.
DataCenter.BZ’s facilities included 32,000 square feet of raised floor space, as well as 30 network choices and access to the state’s Internet exchange. Per the agreement, Cologix now owns a 5-acre data center site, all facilities formerly belonging to DataCenter.BZ, the organization’s 100+ customer base, considerable dark fiber resources and more than $5 million in run rate EBITDA. This represents the eighth major acquisition for Cologix, and stands apart from other transactions as it provides a growing service footprint in the 15th largest city in the country.
Grant van Rooyen, Cologix president and CEO, said DataCenter.BZ is a unique company in that it boasts an interconnection hub as well as a Tier IV business-grade data center. Rooyen said these advantages, combined with Cologix’s expanding brand recognition within the market, gives the organization confidence of the success of the acquisition.
“Becoming part of the Cologix platform offers our customers seamless access to a unique North American footprint, confidence around continued investment in Columbus and a certainty that our core values of upholding the highest standards for customers will be maintained going forward,” Scherer said.
Cologix expansion projects
Columbus Business First contributor Carrie Ghose reported that with this acquisition finalized, Cologix is now planning further expansion in the Ohio data center market. Rooyen told the source that Cologix will leverage DataCenter.BZ’s resources and business model for growth in the region.
“In every market we’ve entered, we have expanded aggressively, in some cases more than once,” Rooyen said. “We think it makes complete sense to continue their strategy and do it quickly.”
Currently, Cologix is searching for a site that can support a $100 million data center in the Columbus area to provide resources for rising customer demands in the area. This will be the seventh market for Cologix, which operates 18 interconnected facilities nationwide. This type of strategy is growing in the industry, as some clients require distributed data centers over wide geographic regions.
“There are a number of customers who need and want and will pursue solutions in these additional markets and we can provide that today,” Scherer said.
Besides expanding its capabilities in the Columbus area, Cologix also announced plans last month for a 28,000 square foot data center expansion in Minneapolis, which will double the company’s current footprint in the facility. The new data center space will come online and be available to customers this year.
