WP Engine enters into definitive agreement to acquire Flywheel

– USA, TX / NE –  WP Engine, the WordPress Digital Experience Platform (DXP), today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Flywheel, a WordPress hosting and management company based in Omaha, Neb.

By combining their strengths, WP Engine and Flywheel are enhancing the WP Engine Digital Experience Platform for WordPress with the best creative and business workflows for agencies, building upon their collective investments and leadership in WordPress and creating the largest Agency Partner Program in WordPress. These benefits are all driven by a shared set of cultural values and purpose aimed at better serving the global brands and agencies who build sites on WordPress. In the largest acquisition to date in the WordPress industry, WP Engine will now power more than 120,000 brands and agencies in 150 countries served by nearly 900 employees across seven offices globally.

“On behalf of the WP Engine team, we couldn’t be more excited to join forces with one of the most respected brands in WordPress. I personally welcome each employee and customer into the WP Engine family and I’m excited about the opportunities we will create in the years to come,” said Heather Brunner, Chairwoman and CEO of WP Engine.

“This powerful combination furthers our vision to be the most relied upon platform for WordPress. Our continued investment in WordPress, our shared values and culture, our enterprise-class technology and support, our community of agency partners and most of all our people will be a powerful driver to bring our customers’ breakthrough digital experiences to life,” added Heather Brunner.

About Flywheel

Flywheel was founded in 2012 by Dusty Davidson, Tony Noecker, and Rick Knudtson, all of whom came from web development backgrounds at agencies. They focused on creating targeted and innovative products to help agencies grow their business on WordPress. Flywheel numbers more than 200 employees around the world, headquartered in Omaha, Neb., and complements WP Engine’s employees and customer base in North America, Australia, and Europe.

The company serves more than 28,000 customers globally and was recognized in 2018 as one of the fastest-growing companies in US and as the fastest-growing company in Nebraska.

“We founded Flywheel with the belief that in order to help creatives do their best work, we needed to create an internal culture that encourages our employees to do the same,” said Dusty Davidson, CEO and co-founder of Flywheel. “That philosophy has led us to build an incredible company and some of the most well-loved products in WordPress, supported by an impressive group of talented people and the most remarkable open source community in the world. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved to date, or more excited for what the future holds for us working together!”

One of the drivers of this combination is that both companies share a belief that strong culture drives outsized employee and customer success. WP Engine’s founding philosophy is encoded in its five core values, which include Do the Right Thing; Customer Inspired; Where the Best get Better; Built to Last; and Aspiring to Lead, Committed to Giving Back. These values, which hang on the wall in every WP Engine office, have served as the blueprint that has helped the company scale around the world. Flywheel has been similarly purpose-driven and customer-centric. Their mission, to help creatives do their best work, has served to guide Flywheel since its founding. Going forward together, the nearly 900 employees will apply their combined talents with intensity and integrity, a joint effort that will create a bright future for the brands, agencies, and businesses building on WordPress.

About WP Engine

WP Engine is the WordPress Digital Experience Platform that gives companies of all sizes the agility, performance, intelligence, and integrations they need to drive their business forward faster. WP Engine’s combination of tech innovation and an award-winning team of WordPress experts are trusted by more than 120,000 customers across 150 countries to provide counsel and support, helping brands create world-class digital experiences. Founded in 2010, WP Engine is headquartered in Austin, Texas, and has offices in Brisbane, Australia; Limerick, Ireland; London, England; Omaha, Neb.; San Antonio, Texas and San Francisco, Calif.

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