Shaw Communications To Buy ViaWest for $1.2 Billion

**Editor’s Note: Please click here for a recap of the biggest channel-impacting mergers in Q2 2014.**

Canadian company Shaw Communications is buying Denver-based ViaWest, the data center infrastructure, cloud and IT solutions provider, from Oak Hill Capital Partners, a private equity firm, for $1.2 billion.

ViaWest employs more than 350 people and services more than 1,300 customers across seven states. The current management team, led by co-founder, president and CEO Nancy Phillips, will continue to operate ViaWest from its Denver headquarters as a standalone, wholly owned subsidiary of Shaw.

ViaWest, which is active in the indirect channel, earlier this week announced a new Affiliate Program that offers incentives and compensation to channel partners and others who promote its infrastructure services via advertising and lead-generation initiatives.

"The ViaWest acquisition provides Shaw a growth platform in the attractive data center sector and is another significant step in expanding our technology offerings for midmarket enterprises in Western Canada, building on the growth from our 2013 Envision acquisition," said Brad Shaw, CEO of Calgary-based Shaw Communications. "We identified the data center sector as an attractive opportunity adjacent to our core business and with the acquisition of ViaWest, Shaw gains significant capabilities, scale and immediate expertise in the growing marketplace for enterprise data services. We plan to leverage the ViaWest management team’s experience to accelerate the development of our Canadian data center platform so that over time our Western Canadian customers will gain access to this industry-leading expertise for their own data management needs and scalable cloud solutions."

Shaw also provides phone, TV and Internet service in Canada.

"This is an excellent strategic development for ViaWest, our employees and our customers," said Phillips. "With Shaw’s long-term commitment, we will have the stability and shared entrepreneurial culture to enter into a new phase of growth and meet the expanding technology needs of midmarket enterprises, while maintaining our commitment to exceptional customer service."

The acquisition is expected to close in September and is subject to U.S. regulatory approval.

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