A new 45,000-square-foot office building at the campus headquarters of
Tech Data Corp. signals a renewed faith in keeping the Fortune 500 company's roots planted in Clearwater.
Founded 40 years ago, the Clearwater-based company is one of the world's leading distributors of technology products made by companies such as Apple and Microsoft. It operates in 100 countries and had about $26.8 billion in sales for fiscal year 2014, which ended on Jan. 31.
It wasn't a certainty that Tech Data would decide to stay when the topic of expansion came up.
Company officials did explore relocating but CEO Robert Dutkowsky says,"We decided to double down on Tampa Bay. I would think the community would take a deep breath and say Tech Data is committed to being here."
Tech Data employs about 9,000 people worldwide, with about 1,700 in Clearwater. The new facility "will accommodate additional office and meeting space, allowing us to operate more efficiently into the foreseeable future," according to an email from company spokeswoman Amanda Lee.
The new wing is adjacent to the approximately 240,000-square-foot headquarters building on Tech Data's campus, located north of the St. Petersburg-Clearwater International Airport at 16202 Bay Vista Drive.
St. Petersburg-based
Hennessy Construction Services is the contractor for the facility.
As a major force in the technology industry and the largest public company in Tampa Bay, Tech Data can attract talent from Tampa Bay as well as worldwide, Dutkowsky says.
Clearwater also is a factor in recruiting candidates, he adds. "This is a beautiful place to raise a family and to work and live."
Writer:
Kathy Steele
Sources: Robert Dutkowsky and Amanda Lee, Tech Data
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