VA Linux Systems Expands European Operations with Key Hires and Acquisition

VA Linux Systems has announced that it has expanded its operations in Germany, the UK, the Netherlands and Belgium with a number of key additions to its European team. The company has hired managing directors for its German and British offices, key developers including Wichert Akkerman, leader of the Debian Project, who is based in the Netherlands, and entered into an agreement to acquire Life, a privately-held Linux consulting company in Belgium, to help expand its professional services operations in Europe. The acquisition of Life will help VA Linux Europe build its professional services, support and training organization. Key developer hires include Wichert Akkerman, leader of the Debian Project, Richard Morrell, co-author of Smoothwall, Alan Hourihane, a contributor to Samba and Direct Rendering Infrastructure (DRI), and Walther Schumann, managing director of German operations. VA Linux Systems is the world's Linux leader and offers a single point of contact for highly customized Linux servers and storage - featuring the industry's first Build-to-Order Software - as well as professional consulting services and support. The company's mission is to make its customers successful through the use of Linux and Open Source.