Critical Path Purchases Fabrik’s E-mail Service

Business-to-business e-mail service provider Critical Path Inc.
Wednesday acquired outsource e-mail firm Fabrik Connect from Fabrik Communications Inc., freeing the parent company to focus more on digital direct marketing services.

Critical Path purchased both the ongoing business operations and Fabrik Connect’s customer relationships, adding the company’s corporate-targeted gateway e-mail solution to Critical Path’s roster of services.

The acquisition plays into Critical Path’s plans to delve into the enterprise market, as well as to enhance the company’s offering of gateway technology to companies using non-standard protocols.

“Fabrik Connect has created a niche market and developed a highly targeted customer base,” said Doug Hickey, Critical Path’s president and CEO. “The acquisition exemplifies our accelerated strategy into the corporate market.”

Fabrik Communications, Inc. develops and integrates Web, messaging, and database technologies to assist corporate clients with customer branding and loyalty.

Critical Path last week was sued by CustomTracks Corp. which accused the e-mail hosting service provider of violating a confidentiality agreement involving security technology.