San Diego, California-based enterprise communications provider Protel Communications Inc has acquired Burlingame, California’s Xtelesis, a full-service IT services and unified communications provider.
The deal merges two Mitel partners and creates the first major Mitel Blue and Mitel Orange company in the United States, according to Xtelesis CEO Scott Strochak. The deal also expands Protel’s geographic footprint into the San Francisco Bay area and Salt Lake City.
Simultaneously, Protel has hired David Krietzberg as CFO. He previously held key posts at Inter-Tel Technologies, Mitel US, Crexendo, and Vertical Communications.
Protel has merger and acquisition experience. The company previously acquired Advantel Networks in 2017, along with Mills Communications and Tranquilnet Solutions in 2018.
Protel Acquires Xtelesis: Executive Perspectives
Referring to the latest deal, Protel Communications CEO Michael Promotico said:
“The merger of Xtelesis into Protel not only further advances our accretive growth plans but, with the addition of Mr. Krietzberg, it concurrently bolsters our Executive team with the talent and skill-set required to manage this growth.”
Xtelesis CEO Scott Strochak added:
“The combined companies will be the first major Mitel Blue and Mitel Orange company in the United States. That fact itself is significant, but more importantly shows our commitment to service the legacy ShoreTel customers, the legacy InterTel and Mitel customers, and provide a full suite of data and cloud offerings to all customers.”
“I am truly thrilled to align our team with an organization such as Protel Communications, and believe that this transaction will be beneficial to our collective customer base, both currently and well into the future.”
Protel’s Backstory
Protel was founded in 1995 and is headquartered in San Diego with additional offices in San Jose and Sacramento. The company provides enterprise communications including cloud and data for more than 10,000 customers across multiple vertical markets and in numerous countries. Protel’s communication technology include both hosted and on-premises solutions.
Protel’s clientele includes such customers as Petco, eHarmony, Spokeo, St. Joseph Hospitals, Bose, Rabobank, and Hyatt Hotels.
Unified Communications Acquisitions
Telcos, service providers and other types of unified communications businesses remain in M&A mode. Deals we've tracked include:
- February 2019: Momentum Telecom acquired Metro Optical Solutions.
- February 2019: TPx Communications went public following a merger with Pensare in a $343 million deal.
- June 2018: SKC Communication Products bought unified communication and collaboration solutions provider GBH Communications.
- April 2018: An investment group led by Searchlight Capital Partners paid $2 billion in cash for Mitel.
