Little Rock IT firm expands footprint with Fort Smith acquisition

Little Rock-based IT services firm The Computer Hut (TCH) has acquired Pinnacle IT Services of Fort Smith. The companies did not disclose financial terms. The deal is effective May 1.

“We’re thrilled to have the Pinnacle IT team join The Computer Hut and to provide an expanded portfolio of solutions across Arkansas for manufacturing, professional services and healthcare organizations,” CEO Chris Bates said in a statement.

TCH started in 1992 and has branch offices in Lowell, Texarkana and Jonesboro. Following the acquisition, TCH will add a technical engineer position and a business development position. The acquisition expands the company’s roster of IT professionals to more than 35. They manage cybersecurity issues for various clients, especially in the healthcare sector.

According to an annual report produced by healthcare market research firm Black Book Research, close to 90% of healthcare organizations across the U.S. have reported a data breach in the last two years alone.

Pinnacle IT president and owner Bill Stuckey will temporarily join TCH following the merger, but he plans to retire when the transition is complete.

Pinnacle IT started in 2008 as a department of Newroads Telecom. The business merged with Pinnacle Communications in 2016 and was renamed Pinnacle Telecom.

In 2018, Stuckey, one of the Newroads founders, purchased the IT services department and created a separate business. According to a news release, Stuckey has grown the business 80% over the past three years, focusing on cybersecurity for healthcare, professional services and light manufacturing.