Inglewood-based IT provider, Bekkers, is looking to significantly expand its data storage business with its relocation to a 1,000 square metre purpose-built office in Bassendean Business Park, encorporating a 400sq m data centre.
Currently operating out of seven offices in an office block on Beaufort Street, all owned by the company, Bekkers’ relocation will allow it to develop its data centre without encroaching on residential space, and keep up with increasing customer demand.
Founder and managing director Jamie Bekkers said the company had outgrown its current premises, with the extra space providing almost double the floor space currently required.
He said Bassendean was a preferential location over the Perth CBD due to the city’s high rents, low vacancy rate and the high concentration of data centres already located there.
“There’s a 1 per cent vacancy in the CBD, rents are going through the roof. It isn’t a good place to put a data centre because there’s no growth potential,” Mr Bekkers said.
“And having all of the data centres in Perth in the CBD in itself is a disaster waiting to happen.”
Now in its 17th year, the family company has grown in recent years to incorporate web design, marketing and managed services, after disregarding attempts to extend its services to include software development, and retailing to non-business customers.
Last May, Bekkers merged with IT integration management company Onsite Applications, and in 2005 merged with web design and marketing firm Bam Creative.
Construction of the new office is expected to start following settlement in July, with building to be completed by about February 2008.
