Layer 3 Technologies owners buy new location

Layer 3 previously leased space at 3271 E. Battlefield Road, Ste. 305, from Whitlock Selim & Keehn.

“We have to carry a lot of computers in and out of our offices,” said John Horton, who with Ryan McCoy co-owns Layer 3. “The old location was on the third floor. This one is on the first. It makes it easier to do our jobs.”

Layer 3 Technologies designs, installs and supports computer networks.

The partners made the switch from leasing space to owning it with their recent move.

The new location, purchased from Morelock-Ross Builders for $195,000, is more convenient for employees, given the nature of the business.

“The new location has 50 percent more space,” Horton said. “It is laid out for us. The previous spot was more makeshift. We had to make it work.”

Financing for the Republic Road property was through Morelock-Ross Properties.

The company’s annual growth rates between 15 percent and 20 percent provided Horton and McCoy with the opportunity to buy real estate, Horton said, though he declined to disclose revenues.

Tom Rankin of Sperry Van Ness Rankin Co. LLC represented McCoy and Horton in the transaction.

Founded in 1996 as Technology Innovations, the company later merged with Layer 3 Inc. to form Layer 3 Technologies.

Layer 3 Technologies has customers in several cities including Joplin, West Plains, Kansas City and Bentonville, Ark. Horton said Layer 3 Technologies’ six employees spend one-third of their time in the office the rest of the time they are on site at customer locations.

“We basically help businesses with their business needs,” Horton said. “We sell the hardware and help with all their computer needs. If a company doesn’t have an (information technology) staff, they can call us.”

Cindy Carr, information technology manager for Nixon & Lindstrom Insurance, 1444 E. Sunshine St., said the company has been a client of Layer 3 Technologies for several years.

“They know how business works,” Carr said. “They understand if you need something in a couple days or if you need them to come out the same day you call.

“Technology is not a land-based business (but) anytime upgrades are made within a business, it is going to help the customers.”

Greg Horton, chief service officer of Integrity Home Care, 4247 S. Glenstone, said his company has been a client of Layer 3 Technologies since 1999.

“The move will help them expand their office capacity and staffing,” said Horton, who is not related to Layer 3’s Horton. “It will also aid in accommodating the needs of customers.”

“The move enables them to (provide service) on a better level,” Greg Horton added. “They’ve done an excellent job taking care of us.”