Deft, a notable provider of data center and managed cloud services, has been acquired by Summit, a leading force in virtual servers and cloud-based application hosting in the United States and Canada. By combining Deft’s data center and network services portfolio with Summit’s expertise in cloud hosting, the companies believe they can better cater to a diverse clientele and their ever-evolving needs for operation support and IT infrastructure.
Previously known as ServerCentral Turing Group (SCTG), Deft, a managed service provider for cloud services, networks, and data centers, underwent a significant rebranding in 2020, which included a name change. According to the company, the rebrand was an attempt to depict their commitment to providing a personalized experience to their customers while assisting them with its core business areas. These areas comprise managed services, cloud consulting, public, private, and hybrid cloud services, and data center services. The financial aspects of the acquisition by Summit, however, were not made public.
“Deft and Summit collectively envision a future for IT services where innovation, security, and customer-centered solutions take the helm,” stated Summit CEO, Warren Patterson. “This merger is a consolidation of strengths and not merely an acquisition.
Adding his perspective to the acquisition, Mr. Lowe stated, “We do not intend to make significant changes to Deft’s operational methodologies. Our customers are familiar and content with our hands-on approach — and now, we just have more hands to assist them.”
Summit has completed three acquisitions in the last 18 months, all backed by Silver Oak Service Partners, with the latest one being Deft. With the acquisition of Tech Commandos and Handy Networks in 2022, Summit has broadened its service repertoire to now include server hosting, application hosting, colocation, HIPAA-compliant hosting, backup, and disaster recovery.
The co-founders of Deft, namely Jordan Lowe, Daniel Brosk, and Eric Dynowski, will move into leadership roles within Summit whilst maintaining a significant interest in it. Further, Jordan Lowe will join the Summit Board of Directors and, together with Mr. Brosk and Mr. Dynowski, ensure a seamless and consistent experience for Deft’s customers as they transition to Summit.
Headquartered in Evanston, Illinois, Silver Oak is a lower middle market private equity firm focused on the business, consumer services, and healthcare sectors. It has successfully completed more than 25 platform investments and 100 add-on acquisitions since it was founded. Currently, Silver Oak is investing from its fourth fund, which has raised $1.1 billion.
Excited about partnering with the leaders of Summit and Deft, Silver Oak Partner Wade Glisson looks forward to the fusion of two talented teams. He believes that the resultant platform, fueled by a fusion of unique best practices, could rapidly expand.
