Snap’s high performance ultra-fast broadband network, regarded as one of the fastest in New Zealand, is now in the hands of 2degrees.
And for Mark Petrie, CEO, Snap, the Internet Service Providers array of business, cloud and technology partners are set to benefit.
Calling Microsoft, Cisco, Juniper Networks and Amazon Web Services among others as allies, Petrie says 2degrees’ recent acquisition of the company, as reported by Reseller News New Zealand, represents an opportunity to fulfil Snap’s untapped potential across its partner network.
“There will be no disruption or change for our partners,” Petrie confirms, speaking following the announcement on March 23.
“If anything our partners will benefit from 2degrees significantly enhancing our capabilities. Our partner network are of course aware of our plans and they are positive.
“As a company Snap has always been very focused on engineering, we’ve invested a lot of money back into the company and this acquisition is the launchpad for future success.”
For Petrie, Snap’s extensive partner network is of “incredible importance”, citing its role as a large part of the company’s business, illustrated by Snap’s crowning as Juniper’s New Zealand Partner of the Year in August 2014.
Continuing to invest in its Juniper capability, Snap are now an approved Partner Support Specialist in addition to its existing Elite status - a commitment that will continue to be honoured following the acquisition.
“We’ve been punching above our weight for some time and if you look at our national network, we’ve already done the hard work and invested heavily in our capabilities,” Petrie adds. “While we weren’t actively looking to be acquired, joining forces with 2degrees makes perfect sense from a Snap perspective.
“The opportunity came along only a few months ago and really gathered pace after Christmas and if it wasn’t 2degrees, then it wouldn’t have been any other business.”
After undergoing a company-wide brand refresh in September of last year, as the company continued its expansion into new markets, Snap has experienced exponential growth over the past five years, with the business now employing over 120 staff, including two new sales offices in Auckland and Dunedin.
But as a traditionally engineering focussed company, Petrie admits that in the past, brand identity hasn’t always been Snap’s strong suit.
“Our first Snap logo was mocked up in Microsoft Paint,” he said at the time of the rebrand last year. “We’ve spent more time and money refining our services and investing in our network infrastructure than anything else.”
But true to Petrie’s philosophy and approach to business, Snap currently service customers nationwide including some of New Zealand’s largest DHB’s, tertiary institutions and IT vendors and have been a key player in the roll-out of UFB across New Zealand.
Petrie, who joined Snap in 2000 before taking the reins as CEO, will remain in Christchurch following the purchase, eventually taking on the role of Head of Fixed Networks at 2degrees.
“I’m fully committed to 2degrees and I’ve put my money where my mouth is and become a 2degrees shareholders,” adds Petrie, despite refusing to comment on specific percentages at this stage.
“During my 15 years at the company we’ve focused on what we’re good at, knuckled down and built up our capabilities. We’ve never been a business that was constantly on TV, or marketing heavily but we have grown organically through word of mouth and our customers.
“We became the fourth largest ISP in the country without unleashing that secret and following this deal we can now fulfil our potential.”
