(WEB HOST INDUSTRY REVIEW) — Quality Technology (www.qualitytech.com) may not yet be a recognizable name in the data center game, but the Atlanta real estate development firm-turned-data center operator is one of the largest players in the Atlanta market.
Over the past six years, Quality Tech has built an impressive network of 11 data center facilities that spans a total of footprint of more than 2.5 million square feet of space.
Offering both wholesale data center space and managed services, Quality Tech has more than 1.3 million square feet in the Atlanta market alone, including its 375,000 square foot data center in Suwanee, and a 1 million square foot property in downtown Atlanta.
Through a number of key acquisitions of data centers across the country, the company has built a data center footprint of 2.5 million square feet with a market value of over $500 million.
In an email interview with the WHIR, Quality Tech executive vice president of marketing Dan Kurtz explains the company’s origins from a modest real estate firm to becoming one of the largest data center operators in Atlanta.
The WHIR: How did the company evolve from a real estate development firm to a data center operator?
Dan Kurtz: In 2003 Chad Williams, CEO of QualityTech, purchased a building in Kansas City that had a small data center located within it. At the time, Mark Waddington, President of QualityTech, was running a small data center outsourcer in Omaha and was seeking a location in Kansas City. Mark and Chad met and created a relationship that evolved into Quality Technology Services when they purchased the former eDeltacom in Atlanta.
The company has expanded its data center footprint fairly rapidly in about four years. What would you say is the secret of this success?
DK: The real secret is good people and not being afraid to take a chance. We have grown via acquisition and organically. In some instances the cards have been stacked against us in acquisition, but our staff has enabled us to come out on top.
How would you describe the Atlanta data center market and where does Quality Tech see itself within this space?
DK: The data center market in Atlanta is becoming more competitive. QualityTech is a leader in Atlanta because of our availability of top end space and services at competitive prices. We have over 1.3 million square feet of facilities in Atlanta so obviously we consider ourselves very invested in Atlanta. We are the largest collocation provider in the Southeast with 400,000 square feet of raised floor online today and plan to grow an additional 300,000 square feet in the Atlanta market. We see continued growth in the local Atlanta market but in reality a great number of our customers are not even from the Atlanta market.
What are the key factors the company looks for in a data center facility for a possible acquisition?
DK: We are focused on three critical items, power, fiber and construction. Many other metrics play into a final acquisition, but these three are key for consideration.
What other regions is the company considering for expansion at this time?
DK: In the near future, our focus is on the US and Canada, but have considered a couple of opportunities in India, Asia and Australia. Within the US, you will likely see growth in most major metropolitan areas which we are not currently located.
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