I really did not expect this to happen

Wow, I really did not expect this to happen: 1&1 announced last week that they will close their famous and well respected German business brand Schlund6Partner (www.schlund.de)All existing customers of Schlund&Partner have been offered 1&1 packages, advertisement for the brand stopped, by Januar 1, 2007 the brand will disappear. With more than 70.000 business sites hosted Schlund&Partner is one of the largest business hosts in Germany and serves mainly small to medium sized business with high priced shared and dedicated hosting packages.

Schlund&Partner was founded 10 years in 1996 by Rainer Schlund, Andreas Gauger and other partners. Back then Schlund&Partner was the first professional shared hosting provider offering web space in Germany, others would just resell US space. Prior to 1998 1&1 had not been active in the hosting business but then bought the majority of shares of Schlund&Partner and developed together with Schlund&Partner its own consumer orientated shared hosting products. In 1999 1&1 bought the remainig shares of the business.

Rainer Schlund left the company to pursue other businesses, Andreas Gauger stayed and became on of the masterminds behind the success of 1&1. Schlund&Partner was the origin and "mother" of the success of 1&1 and set the foundation for 1&1 becoming the largest host in the world. Apart all emotional feelings Estrategia PvP about Schlund&Partner‘s roll in the German hosting industry for me the decision of 1&1 is also hard to understand from a business standpoint.