Inetium and Avtex, two technology firms owned by Minneapolis-based Pohlad Family Companies, announced Wednesday that they will merge their operations into a single company-Avtex Solutions, LLC-effective January 1.

Avtex Solutions, LLC, will focus on delivering technology solutions that enhance an organization's productivity and its interactions with employees and customers, the companies said.

Founded in 1971, Avtex designs, installs, and supports technology needed for call centers and customer contact centers, as well as IP telephony systems and other messaging applications for businesses. It was acquired by Pohlad Family Companies in March 2008.

Inetium, which was established in 1998 and acquired by Pohlad Family Companies in March 2006, provides strategic IT planning and consulting services, with specialization in portals, collaboration, customer relationship management, and application development.

Bob Denman, the current president of Avtex, will become the new organization's president, and Keith Rachey, the current president of Inetium, will serve as chief strategy officer of the new entity.

Inetium's current office space in Minneapolis will be renovated to house the new company's headquarters. The combined firm-which will also have offices in Milwaukee and Appleton, Wisconsin; Des Moines, Iowa; and Cincinnati-will employ more than 200 people.

“We believe the merger is a win for both companies' customers and employees, since it broadens our product and service offerings,” Dave Johnson, who will serve as CEO of Avtex Solutions, said in a statement.

As sister companies, Inetium and Avtex have collaborated on multiple projects with customers over the last two years, including improving Middleton, New York-based Mediacom Communications Corporation's customer interactions in its contact center.

“Their services are quite complementary and the solutions they provided have significantly improved our ability to serve our customers at Mediacom,” Peter Lyons, group vice president of IT at Mediacom, said in a statement.

Founded and built by Carl R. Pohlad, Pohlad Family Companies encompasses banking, financial services, commercial real estate, retail, automotive, entertainment, and technology industries, as well as ownership of the Minnesota Twins. Based in Minneapolis, it employs 3,500 people throughout 40 markets.

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