IT network veterans’ new challenge

FIRST generation Internet pioneers John Ridd and Nick Whittaker are back in business with a mission to help the web meet the ever-increasing demands placed upon it.

The pair, who were responsible for launching, building and then selling Manchester-based XTML in 2000, are in the midst of growing their latest venture, Macclesfield-based NWIX.

Founded in 2005 by Nick Whittaker after he bought the assets of Manchester-based MANAP.

 Mr Ridd joined two years later, when revenues were £350,000. The following year they had more grown to £1.2m, and this year they were £2m. Sales for 2010 should hit £4m, thanks to growth in contracted revenues of £14m.

NWIX is focused on network performance and is already working with illustrious names such as the BBC, Trader Media Group, Moneysupermarket.com and Microsoft, to ensure their content is a strong and seamless as possible.

Customers vary from online businesses trying to meet the increasing expectations of consumers, to businesses with demanding network requirements as well as ISPs and data centre operators. 

Mr Ridd explains: “Our regional network is unique – as traditional connectivity becomes saturated as online content becomes more advanced, we can step in.

“We are not regionally restricted and can switch traffic anywhere on our network.”
The NWIX network consists of two platforms, an Ethernet platform and an optical network.

It comprises five ‘rings’; one connects the Manchester data centres, the North West ring connects Merseyside and Lancashire data centres, both of which are connected to the London ring via the national ring.  A European ring exits from Manchester via Amsterdam and loops back to London via Paris.

Each ring is self-protecting, and provides alternative routes around the national network in the event of a fibre break anywhere.

The company has invested “several millions of pounds” on the network, and has just raised another £700,000 for further expansion.

A new  ‘east coast’ route  – running from Preston through Yorkshire, Leicestershire and into London via Cambridge – has recently been completed and additional sites on the west coast will take place later this year.

This will provide a link from London, via Swindon and Reading to Bristol and Birmingham and back to Manchester; which will further increase the network’s reach.

Mr Ridd believes the advent of MedicCity at Salford Quays – and the anticipated arrival of more hi-tech business to the North West, will unlock more commercial opportunities for NWIX.

“There is a lot to go at, we’re really enjoying building the business and there are lots of challenges and opportunities ahead. We’ve got our eyes focused on driving the growth of the business.”