ROSEVILLE – One of the original leaders in Twin Cities communications technology is back, with a plan to narrow its product line and emphasize its original focus on customer service and personal attention.
Roseville-based Collins Communications is in the process of reintroducing itself to the market, 17 years after being sold to HickoryTech Corporation, a company that changed the established brand and diversified its products and services.
On December 31, 2006, HickoryTech sold the company to Skyview Capital, LLC, a privately held investment firm headquartered in California. Skyview immediately changed the name to Collins Enterprise Solutions, LLC, dba Collins Communications.
“It’s exciting and it’s smart business to go back to a name that reflects a long history of excellent support to businesses in the Metro area,” said Sean Hays, Chief Operating Officer. “Long time customers will notice a renewed emphasis on attention to their specific needs. We plan to streamline some internal processes and implement new technologies to improve communications and shorten response and repair time.”
The company will also concentrate its line of brand communications equipment and systems to one manufacturer – Nortel. As a Nortel Elite Advantage Partner, Collins Communications has the highest level of partnership within Nortel.
“Some Nortel Elite Advantage Partners fulfill their voice certification requirements based on a nation-wide resource pool. Collins Communications continues to be the only Twin Cities Elite Advantage Partner to accomplish our voice certification with 100% local talent,” said Hays. “This year also marks 30 years of partnership between Collins and Nortel. During this time we have gained and maintained their respect for our technical expertise and for being a long-term leader and “go-to” partner in implementing advanced Nortel technologies such as contact center, IP Telephony and wireless applications.”
Skyview Capital Vice Chairman Charles K. Oppenheimer said Collins Communications’ history of being customer-centric was a key factor in making the purchase and resurrecting the original name. “It’s exciting to be able to acquire a telecommunications convergence solutions business with a longstanding reputation for service excellence, as well as one that possesses such a solid customer base.”
Collins Communications was founded in Roseville in 1974. The company employs 24 certified field technicians and a sales and support force that totals 56. The company has helped more than 750 clients solve their business issues with technology solutions ranging from network assessments, access and services, to voice and data communications hardware and peripherals.
