Atrion to be Acquired by Exeter's Carousel Industries
GoLocalProv Business Team
Atrion to be Acquired by Exeter's Carousel Industries
Carousel Industries, an IT and managed services provider based in Exeter, announced its intent on Wednesday to acquire Atrion, Inc, which is headquartered in Warwick and specializes in security, productivity and collaboration, unified communications, networking, applications and integrations and data enter solutions.
“In today’s IT universe, there is a growing synergy between business and IT – making IT leaders increasingly responsible for supporting their organizations’ topline initiatives. As a result, IT leaders turn more progressively to their technology providers as strategic advisors on the solutions and services that will help them best meet their objectives and stay ahead of the innovation curve,” said Jeff Gardner, CEO, Carousel.
The combined Carousel entity is slated to become the largest employer of information technology talent in Rhode Island with nearly 500 employees in the state. Nationwide, the transaction is due to create a combined entity of over 1,300 professionals, with approximately $525 million in annual revenue.
The acquisition is expected to be completed early in the third quarter of 2016.
Execs on Move
“Combined we will be better equipped to deliver a more compelling customer experience with a more personal focus and differentiated services. This acquisition positions Carousel to deliver the best possible business outcomes to our customers and to become a truly indispensable business partner,” added James Marsh, CRO, Carousel.
Tim Hebert, Atrion CEO added "As pressures intensify for our clients to be more forward-thinking and emerge as leaders in their markets, they require a singular, high-value business partner capable of helping them see around corners. This is an optimal time and opportunity for Atrion to join forces with Carousel. Our respective firms are growing rapidly, our cultures are highly complementary, and we share a common vision for delivering a positive impact on our employees, our customers, and our community.”
About the Companies
Atrion, a leading IT services firm, is "committed to helping its clients make sound technology decisions that lead to favorable business outcomes. Atrion offers a robust set of services and solutions—with a focus on innovative IT leadership, consultative, professional and managed services—spanning the following areas: productivity and collaboration; unified communications; networking; systems integrations; data center; and security."
Carousel Industries is a "recognized leader in helping organizations evolve the way they communicate and orchestrate the flow of information throughout their networks. Carousel enables clients to connect and collaborate the way modern IT users demand and advance from their current network infrastructure to meet tomorrow’s standards."
RI Business Rankings in US
WalletHub
Rhode Island has 2015's eighth highest insurance premium penalties for high risk drivers, according to a WalletHub report.
Rhode Island ranks fifth overall in the category of speeding over 20 mph annual premium increase at $482. While ranking third overall in the category of 2 accidents annual premium increase at $2,721.
Rhode Island ranks ninth overall under the reckless driving annual premium increase at $749.
WalletHub
Rhode Island has been ranked as the 8th most eco-friendly state in the country, according to a recent study by WalletHub.
Rhode Island ranks third in environmental quality and 16th in Eco-Friendly Behaviors Ran landing them in 8th overall.
RI is behind Washington and New Hampshire who are in the six and seven spots respectively, and in front of Connecticut and Hawaii who come in at the nine and ten spot.
WalletHub
Rhode Island is 2015's 4th Worst State to be a taxpayer, according to a recent WalletHub report.
Rhode Island ranks 48th of 51 with an average state and local tax price of $7,159 which is good for a 27% difference from the national average.
The states that are directly behind Rhode Island are Wisconsin at $7,159, Nebraska at $7,298 and Illinois at $7,719 for a 37% difference from the national average.
WalletHub
Rhode Island has the highest vehicle property taxes in the country, paying an average of $1,133 according to a report from WalletHub.
Virginia and Kansas are the two states just ahead of Rhode Island in the 49 and 50 spots, paying $962 and $905 respectively.
RI also ranks 42nd in average real estate tax, paying an average of $2,779, according to the WalletHub report.
On a scale with 1 being the best, and 25 being average, Rhode Island ranks 37th in low income earners, 42 in middle income earners and 45th in high income earners.
The 2014 state rankings by Forbes has just been released and Rhode Island moved up two spots from #48 in 2013 to #46 in 2014.
What does Forbes say about RI's business environment"
After Michigan and Illinois, Rhode Island has experienced the third worst net migration out of its state in the country over the past five years. With a recent unemployment rate of 7.6%—lower than only Georgia and Mississippi—residents are leaving the state in search of jobs. Rhode Island has been stuck in the bottom five overall for six straight years. One plus: labor costs are 5% below the national average, which stands out in the expensive Northeast.
Tax Foundation
Findings from The State Business Tax Climate Index were released this morning by Tax Foundation which found Rhode Island to have the 45th best tax climate for businesses for 2015. The state's rank has not changed since last year after The Index analyzed 100 different tax variables in multiple categories.
After conducting an online suvery consisting of 1,050 individuals from both parties across the nation, WalletHub ranked Rhode Island as having America's 33rd fairest tax system.
Providence is the second worst city in America for small business, according to a new survey conducted by Thumbtack.com and the Kauffman Foundation.
More than 12,000 small businesses in 82 cities across the country participate in the survey. Providence received an overall "F" grade for small business friendliness.
ALEC ranks each state in economic performance and outlook.
Although Rhode Island ranked low in economic performance, a forward-looking forecast is based on the state’s standing in 15 important state policy variables. Some of these variables include top marginal personal income tax rate and sales tax burden.
Free Enterprise ranks each state in performance, exports, innovation + entrepreneurship, business climate, talent pipeline, infrastructure.
Rhode Island has continued to feel the direct impact and ripples from the recent recession—it ranks 47th overall in economic performance. However, positive rankings of 15th in talent pipeline and 16th in innovation and entrepreneurship suggest the existence of a foundation on which to build the future.
10th Worst in Gallup's Annual Ranking of State Job Markets 2014
Rhode Island has been ranked 10th worst for job creation in Gallup's annual ranking of state job markets in 2014 with a job creation index number of 21
Rhode Island is one of two (Connecticut) states to rank in the bottom ten each year since 2008.
The 2014 State level findings have were drawn from 201,254 interviews with employed adults across the nation.