Canada’s TELUS Acquires Columbus Group

Seattle.internet.com has learned that Vancouver, B.C.-based Internet solutions provider Columbus Group was purchased two days ago by TELUS — Canada’s second largest Telecommunications company.

Although Columbus Group will be shutting off the lights at its recently opened Seattle office and has already laid off two business development employees, its future back in Canada seems very bright.

According to Columbus Group VP of Marketing Bryan Mavrow, Columbus Group will be leading the TELUS E-Solutions group responsible for creating end-to-end Web solutions for large businesses in Canada.

Mavrow also told seattle.internet.com that his group will be hiring additional employees over the next 12 months for its Canadian operations. “Our group will be growing to 230 people in the next 12 months, as part of the 3,000 employee TELUS Enterprise Solutions Group, which is part of TELUS’ 40,000 employee corporation,” says Mavrow.

Columbus Group Director of Western U.S. Operations Rich Adam, who has been running the Seattle office, will be returning to Canada to join Mavrow and his team.

Columbus Group, which was formed in the Mid 90’s, focuses on creating people-centered CRM and customer service-oriented Internet solutions. It’s move to Seattle late last year was part of an effort to further expand its U.S. business. However, the company’s new parent company TELUS is strictly Canadian-focused.