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Chaska firm is moving to former Petters building
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Eric Wieffering, assistant managing editor/business • 612-673-4237 • ewieffering@startribune.com
PeopleNet, a provider of Internet-based and mobile communications systems for fleet operators, plans to move its headquarters from Chaska to the former Petters Companies headquarters in Minnetonka.
PeopleNet signed a 10-year lease for 50,731 square feet that it will occupy in September. The renovated building at Interstate 494 and Hwy. 7, is double the size of PeopleNet's current location and will house a growing complement of employees, which now numbers 140. The former Petters and Fingerhut campus on Baker Road boasts walking paths, a full-service cafeteria, large training rooms, underground parking and fitness and shower facilities.
"After achieving record revenue and subscriber growth in 2008, we are expanding our operations in a number of areas," said CEO Ron Konezny. PeopleNet decided to move the headquarters to Minnetonka to accommodate what the privately held company says is "stable growth."
Jim Damiani, a senior vice president with Welsh Companies, which represents the owners of two buildings on the site, said the Baker Road Corporate Center "has enjoyed tremendous leasing success due to its excellent visibility and easy access to major roadways and area amenities."
Founded in 1994, PeopleNet provides technology products and services that help the transportation industry optimize fleet efficiency. The company was most recently recognized in Food Logistics magazine's Top 100 Technology Solution Providers and Inbound LogisticsTop 100 Logistics IT Companies. The company says it signed 100 new fleet accounts last year.
"There is strong demand by all fleet types as they look for more advanced tools to help them operate at top efficiency," Konezny said.
The building at 4400 Baker Road was vacated in the aftermath last fall of the bankruptcy of the Petters operation and criminal charges against former CEO Tom Petters, who is awaiting trial on federal financial-fraud charges.
Neal St. Anthony • 612-673-7144
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