Our History
The Begining
it started with a laptop
Competa began in 1997 when Shell employee Andy Haxby recognized that a number of new technologies, especially Linux, Open Source and Storage, were likely to have a huge impact on the way the business would use IT in the future.
In addition it was noticed that resourcing practice at the time was stifling innovation and slowing uptake of new technologies. With help from the Shell Small Business Unit, Competa was founded with a vision of supporting Oil & Gas businesses with new technologies.
To reflect our background in large computer systems, the name "Competa" was formed from the stems "comp" from computing and "peta" from the SI unit. We didn't know about the small village of Cómpeta in Andalucia, Southern Spain until around 2000, (but it was the obvious venue for our 10th anniversary celebration in 2007).
The company was started with a laptop, a mobile phone, a home office, one employee and a couple of workstations. Before long Unix and related technologies started to be used more widely. Competa grew with the expanding demand; not only in the size of the company but also by expanding our expertise to cover related technologies such as Databases and Internet Application development.
Achievements
- Customers Shell, Total, NAM
- In profit from start
- Winner 1998 Anglo-Dutch award for Enterprise
- Growth 700% in 2000
- Finalist 2001 European Awards for the Spirit of Enterprise
The Present
growing up
Our business model evolved over the years, and by the end of 2006 had matured into what it is today. The current business model is based on the concept of delivering technology expertise to support customer business via a number of complimentary channels. Front- and back- office business processes have been organized to optimize operational efficiency.
The business model has been spectacularly successful. Competa has seen business grow rapidly over the last few years, in a controlled and sustainable manner, and without compromising our core values of quality, independence, teamwork and diversity.
In 2010, to celebrate our maturity, we re-branded designing a new logo and building this website. The blue chain in the logo represents business, supported by technology in red, with the white space in the middle forming a "C", representing Competa connecting business and technology. Pretentious perhaps, but it shows we thought about it!
For the future we will continue to grow, nurturing the best technologists and pursuing our mission to connect business and technology. Whether it be as a customer, business partner, or colleague, we look forward to working with you.
Achievements
- Controlled growth
- New service lines
- Customers in all markets
- Recession-proof