Concentric Sky, Inc.

HIGH-TECH SUCCESS

May 19, 2011 - (Register-Guard) -- Concentric Sky, a fast-growing tech company, has moved to larger quarters in Eugene's downtown core.

The Web development firm doubled its space to 6,000 square feet by moving to 1045 Willamette St., across from Lane Transit District's downtown transfer station.

The space formerly housed Funk/Levis & Associates, a brand design firm. That business and its 12 employees have moved to 931 Oak St.

Wayne Skipper founded Concentric Sky in 2005 as a one-man consultancy doing Web development for a major educational client. It now has a staff of 50 and works with many clients and partners in various industries. In the past two years it has made a name for itself developing mobile applications for devices, such as iPhones and iPads, for international clients.

"We're working with some of the largest brands in the world: National Geographic, Encyclopaedia Britannica, NASA, the World Bank," Skipper said. "These are groundbreaking. We've rapidly gained prominence in this space."

The company's new leased offices are well-suited for computer programming work as well as the free-wheeling collaboration needed to innovate and solve problems. Individual offices line the walls leading to a large, open area in the back, with work spaces encircling a large conference table.

With much of its work concentrated in education and mobile Web development - two areas that did well despite the economic downturn - Concentric Sky hasn't felt any negative impact from the recession, Skipper said.

Concentric Sky doesn't disclose any of its financial information.

"We're very far ahead of what people are calling the recovery," he said. "We're constantly turning away work."

Skipper said, "I'd love to hire more people, but that's the challenge for us. We have a high set of standards and it has been a challenge to find people that fit into our company."

So the company is growing as quickly as it finds the right hires.

"Hiring is a bit slow - not for a lack of applicants - but for a lack of finding people with appropriate skill sets," Skipper said.

The company is advertising openings for iPhone/iPad developers, Android developers, enterprise Java developers and graphic designers.

"I want well-rounded individuals that can solve problems and have critical thinking skills," he said. "Technology is just a tool," he added. "(I) look for people who can pick up any tool and use it."

He said he has resisted growing the company by sending work overseas that could be done here.

"A lot of offshore teams don't have a background in innovation and entrepreneurship like we do in the states," Skipper said. "They're adequate, but not exceptional. I want to be exceptional. There are a few exceptional outsourcers, but they're booked out for the next 10 years."

That doesn't stop outsourcers from all over the world from asking to work with Concentric Sky, he said. "Sometimes I get 10 contacts a day," Skipper said.

By moving to Willamette Street, Concentric Sky said goodbye to its former offices in reclaimed industrial space at 600 E. Eighth Ave. near the Willamette River. The company liked that location, but outgrew it, Skipper said.

Concentric Sky's former offices had two conference rooms, but they were crammed with people working, so "if we were going to have a conference, we had to kick everybody out," he said.

Skipper said he searched for a new home for his company for about six months, and was drawn to the layout and architectural detail of the former Funk/Levis space. He estimates that it will hold the company for the next three to five years.

Skipper said he also liked the central location.

"It's nice to help reinvigorate downtown a bit," he said. "We'll certainly drive a lot of business to local merchants."

Skipper said he's optimistic about the large construction projects dotting downtown.

"I'm very hopeful that they bring more new business," he said. Not just retail, "but knowledge and information companies - Internet and emerging technology companies. I'd really like to grow that here."