Turning Technologies takes turn to top of world in its niche

Turning Technologies, take a bow. The internationally acclaimed information-technology software developer with headquarters downtown has acquired its chief rival, Arizona-based einstruction. As a result, Turning is nearly doubling the size of its organization and is injecting new capital and jobs into the Mahoning Valley economy.

As such, the IT pride of Youngstown has earned a communitywide ovation.

Mike Broderick, TT’s chief executive officer, announced earlier this month the acquisition of its largest competitor in the production and marketing of corporate, business and educational response systems.

The skillful move is the latest illustration of the company’s meteoric rise to international leadership in its hot market. The acquisition will make TT the undisputed leader in its software niche in the entire world. Not bad for a company that had its humble beginnings in an abandoned century-old building falling into disrepair and decay a short decade ago.

The acquisition, details of which are being kept confidential, also speaks to the talent of the company, its potential for even more growth and its commitment to revitalizing Youngstown and the Mahoning Valley. It also speaks volumes about the success of the Youngstown Business Incubator — from which TT was hatched — as a global model in assisting viable startup information-technology companies.

The latest development caps a string of honors and achievements for the West Federal Street tech king. Among them has been its Venture of the Year award by the Ohio Venture Association and Inc. magazine’s recognition of it as the fastest-growing software company in the U.S.

TURNING CLICKS WITH THE WORLD

One of Turning’s flagship products, its Turning Point audience response “clicker,” has revolutionized classroom instruction and maximized student engagement in the learning process. Now, TT will add to its bulging portfolio such former einstruction assets as Insight 360, a popular classroom teaching system and ExamView, software that allows instructors to create tests and other classroom assessments.

All of which positions TT for stronger market share and enhanced respect in the educational and corporate communities worldwide.

But all the while that Turning is exploring new markets around the world, it stays true to its roots in downtown Youngstown. The company at the heart of the downtown’s West Federal Street tech block will add central staff as well as open a new warehouse and distribution center in the Youngstown area to handle its increased volume from einstruction. That means more diversity for the Valley’s growing economy and more jobs for its residents.

Turning Technologies’ success serves also as a testament to the value of the Youngstown Business Incubator. Its four-building IT-focused campus downtown is home to 30-plus portfolio companies with more than 300 employees and an average annual payroll of more than $25 million. Its campus is also home to the federally funded research and development center, the National Additive Manufacturing Innovation Institute, that is putting the incubator and Youngstown on the fast track for the newest rage in technology, 3-D printing.

Jim Cossler, CEOof the YBI, called Turning Technologies’ acquisition of eInstruction “a validation of a model at the YBI that many people didn’t believe would work.” He added that the acquisition is proof “we have something in Youngstown that’s working.”

That may well rank as the understatement of the year for both Turning Technologies and YBI.