Big Noise turns up volume

Wiremu Paipa is at a crossroads, shedding businesses to concentrate on web hosting. Photo / Warren Buckland

It is the start of a new chapter for Wiremu Paipa. His Big Noise Group is focusing on its Web Connect cloud hosting, putting other businesses on the market.

Web Connect is partnering with Auckland-based New Zealand Technology Group (NZTG), which plans to roll itself out to the regions, starting with the East Coast of the North Island.

The rollout is being overseen by Wayne Baird, the former Unison Fibre sales manager, Enzafoods chief operating officer and Structural Concepts general manager.

Mr Paipa operates from his Hastings building on Heretaunga St West where earthquake-proof shipping containers protect air-conditioned servers.

He has been in business since he was made redundant as a teenager from Fletcher Challenge in Hastings. Gifted a roll of tinting film, inside he found the phone number of the Auckland supplier and started tinting car windows from his parent's home. Eighteen months later his father built a double garage for the successful business, which expanded to include car audio and alarms.

After several moves it bought its current three-level Hastings building in 2000.

Thanks to films like The Fast and the Furious, car culture took off and he bought into a mag wheel franchise, employing 14 people.

Cars that Big Noise accessorised started winning show competitions and Jonah Lomu became a customer.

Big Noise featured at the country's "sound-offs" where Team Big Noise broke the record for the loudest car audio eight times over five years.

It was a website bill for more than $50,000 that galvanised Mr Paipa into learning internet technology/programming.

With a web designer on the payroll, Big Noise successfully offered hosting services, starting with the speed-hungry gaming community.

He said the deal with NZTG for a national rollout of hosting services was "very compelling".

The web-hosting business received a significant boost 18 months ago when it purchased Christchurch company Web Connect, primarily for its name.

"We have clients all over New Zealand because they typed in web and connect and we show up in all the results," he said. There were potential buyers for his car and pro-audio businesses "but it's important the right person takes over" because technical ability would ensure ongoing success.

Nonetheless he said it was a turnkey operation and support would be given during a transition period.

"I am getting older so I have to cut back on the hours and concentrate on the Web Connect side."

NZTG was established in 1998 and has merged/partnered with 25 companies, delivering IT and wholesale ultra-fast broadband and telco-related services.

Mr Baird said NZTG would start the national rollout on the East Coast because of existing business relationships.

"Our goal is to enhance and grow the economic wellbeing of the regions by providing advice and good services," he said.