Company grabs MarchFirst NY office, staff

Professional services provider SBi said Wednesday it agreed to acquire MarchFirst's New York office and a Connecticut office MarchFirst had. SBi spokesman Michael Adams also said the company will get close to 100 employees from the failed Internet consultancy.

In addition, Salt Lake City-based SBi received approval from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for its April acquisition of MarchFirst's Denver, Portland, Ore., and San Francisco offices. SBi provides clients help with strategy, design and computer integration services.

MarchFirst, which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in early April, has been working with a trustee to liquidate all of its assets. The company, which was formed by the merger between management consultancy Whittman-Hart and Internet consultant USWeb/CKS, had a turbulent, short-lived marriage, suffering during the past year from sour financial results and a series of layoffs, among other problems.

Many of its rivals in the once heralded Internet consulting sector have also had their share of challenges, including massive layoffs, office closures, buyouts or complete shutdowns.

Earlier this week, struggling Agency.com, which specializes in strategy, branding and technology services, said it plans to merge with a subsidiary of investment group Seneca Investments. Another Internet consulting company, Proxicom, was acquired by Dimension Data Holdings, which recently won early approval of the deal.

SBi said the addition of the new offices and staff members from MarchFirst is part of the company's ongoing efforts to expand its presence and improve its range of services. The company boasts more than 700 employees with offices in 11 cities in the United States.