There’s no place like new home for IT firm

Phil Castle, The Business Times

Preston Thornburg, left, vice president of tech operations at Networks Unlimited, and Mark Swain, president and owner, talk inside the new building housing the information technology
firm in Grand Junction. The design incorporates three shipping containers refurbished to provide meeting and office spaces. (Business Times photo by Phil Castle)

Mark Swain has endured four moves in 20 years, each time to a larger location to accommodate his growing information technology services firm. The last move was the most challenging, he said, in renovating a building in the midst of a pandemic.

Swain swears he’ll never move again. But with 18,000 square feet of space to spread out — nearly triple what was available at the previous spot — in a fresh space built for his operation, the president and owner of Networks Unlimited in Grand Junction doesn’t expect that will be necessary.

Swain said he’s especially pleased to provide a more productive and comfortable workplace. “It’s just been good for our employees.”

Robert Benjamin, director of business operations, said the results of the effort outweighed the difficulties. “We love our new home. The space and layout support our work flow, collaboration, and productivity.”

Preston Thornburg, vice president of tech operations, agreed. “I know the employees are getting settled into their new areas, and everyone just can’t say enough about this purpose-built office space.”

Networks Unlimited moved into a refurbished building at 515 S. Seventh Street in October. Work started early in 2020, but was delayed for six months in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Swain said he purchased the building from a friend to find larger quarters for Networks Unlimited. “We were running out of space.”

The 6,300 square feet of space in the previous location on Rood Avenue was not only cramped, but also inflexible, he said.

Counting a mezzanine level constructed at the new location, the building offers nearly three times that much space for the 35 employees who work there, Swain said.

Networks Unlimited also operates an office in Montrose staffed by four employees.

The Grand Junction building previously housed a lumber business as well as Larro Feeds and Juanita Coal. Swain said he was pleased he could renovate an existing building, especially a historical one. “I’d always hoped I’d find a project like this to do.”

The refurbished building no longer resembles a lumber or feed store inside or out. The interior design incorporates three refurbished shipping containers — one stacked at an angle atop another. The 40-long
containers not only improve the quality of the sound inside the building, but also offer office and meeting space.

Additional offices, work spaces and conference rooms accommodate a staff that’s grown along with the operation.

Networks Unlimited has evolved into a managed services provider in offering a range of information technology services as well as computer and networking sales and support. 

Security has become a more important service in protecting small businesses often targeted by cyber attacks, Swain said.

The company serves more than 2,000 clients not only in Western Colorado, but also 38 other states.

Swain said those services vary depending on the needs and budgets of individual clients. “We tailor solutions to fit their needs.”

While the business involves advancing computer technology, it also involves customer service and personal connections, Swain said. “It’s still very relationship-based. Customers buy from us because they trust us.”

Networks Unlimited operates offices at 515 S. Seventh St. in Grand Junction. For more information, call 243-3311 or visit www.networksunlimited.com.