Symantec Corporation, a global leader in cyber security innovation and long-time leader in Utah’s Silicon Slopes, announced it will expand its operations in Draper, Utah. The 91,000-square-foot office at the Point of the Mountain will begin with 345 existing Utah employees – including those consolidated from Symantec’s former Lindon location – and will add up to 180 new jobs for a total of 525 positions.
Headquartered in Mountain View, California, Symantec first came to Utah in 2007 through the acquisition of the Utah firm Altiris. Symantec was one of the first firms approached by EDCUtah’s Global Strategy & Outreach (GS&O) team as a key employer to proactively retain and grow. Beginning with a visit to Symantec headquarters in 2012, EDCUtah stayed in regular contact with Symantec executives through multiple leadership changes, acquisitions and divestitures, and consolidation projects. Outreach efforts included a series of meetings in both Utah and California, as well as a headquarters visit from Governor Herbert in 2017.
“Symantec’s decision to consolidate their operations to Utah is another sign that our business environment is thriving,” said Theresa Foxley, President and CEO of the Economic Development Corporation of Utah. “This is another great win for our Global Strategy & Outreach efforts.”
In early 2016, Symantec sold Veritas, their data storage vertical, and began a global corporate restructuring to focus on cyber security. EDCUtah’s GS&O team approached Symantec to advocate for retaining Utah’s operation and learned that Symantec’s lease in Lindon was set to expire within two years. Shortly after that, Symantec acquired Blue Coat Systems for $4.65 billion. Headquartered in Sunnyvale, California, Blue Coat had an office in Draper, giving Symantec additional talent and a second Utah location. As part of the acquisition, Blue Coat CEO Greg Clark was elevated to the CEO of Symantec Corporation.
EDCUtah opened Project Tuxedo in May 2016 to support Symantec in retaining, and hopefully growing, at least one of their Utah locations through the restructuring transition. Ultimately, Symantec chose to consolidate and expand in the original Blue Coat Draper location.
“Symantec has a very bright future here in Utah,” said Val Hale, Executive Director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development at the company ribbon cutting. “I thank you for keeping us and our country safe.”
Decision drivers for Symantec included the availability of cyber security talent and competitive business costs. EDCUtah looks forward to continuing to work with Symantec to find additional opportunities to thrive and grow in Utah.
EDCUtah is grateful to all who played a role in this project win, including the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, and Draper City.