World Wide Technology Raises the Bar for Growing St. Louis Companies
Posted by St. Louis Post-Dispatch on March 1, 2018:
Founded in 1990 by David Steward and Jim Kavanaugh, World Wide Technology (WWT) is an international technology solution provider based in St. Louis, Missouri and is one of the most successful IT systems companies in the world. Steward has transformed WWT into a leader in computer systems integration and technological solutions for state, local and federal companies. Services include IT consulting, lab services, supply chain management, deployment services and staffing. WWT is also the largest African-American owned business in the United States with 20 facilities and more than 4,500 employees.
In 2015, the company acquired Asynchrony Solutions in order to expand its services in application development. With 250 employees already in St. Louis, WWT expanded Asynchrony Labs' offices in downtown St. Louis in 2016. The company recently opened their new $95 million, 208,000-square-foot headquarters in Westport Plaza, designed with diversity, innovation and creativity in mind. Further expansions include a logistics center in Edwardsville. Since 2011, WWT has grown by more than 56 percent and in 2016, ranked 30th on a Forbes list of the largest U.S. private companies.
The company has provided local, state, and federal partners with internet software, as well as services in staffing, laboratory and shipping. Many of WWT's contracts are with the federal government, which accounts for more than 20 percent of the company's revenue. In 2016, the company won contracts with the Defense Information Systems Agency ($427 million), the U.S. Army ($5 million) and the Air Force Network.
CEO Jim Kavanaugh expects revenue will increase by 15 percent this year as the company continues to expand its services. Over the past decade, the company grew from $2.1 billion in sales and fewer than 1,000 employees to $9.4 billion in sales.
In addition to record growth, the company prides itself on providing its employees with an inclusive and diverse workplace. WWT recently landed on the 2017 Fortune 100 Best Companies to Work For list.