Newport-based web developers PHP Genie forecast turnover will rise from £500,000 to £5m within three years following their expansion into the US with the opening of a new office in Miami, Florida.

The company, which started trading in 2011, has built a reputation for its ecommerce expertise, and is now ready to take on new markets and is also re-branding as TheGenieLab.

Expanding to Miami will allow the team to offer greatly improved support hours for clients, stretching across time zones, both improving customer service and allowing the company to continue to grow. The ultimate aim is to provide 24-hour development services.

The company - founded by Andrew Cargill and Daniel Lewis - is based in Langstone, where the team of ten work with clients across the world, ranging from start-ups to established multi-nationals including the Welsh Government, International Baccalaureate, Brightpearl, The National Union of Students, Trustev and Geysir.

Andrew and Daniel met at the University of Wales, Newport (now University of South Wales) while studying animation and graphics, respectively.

They started the business working from their student bedrooms, soon found a niche in the ecommerce market and secured the financial backing of the renowned entrepreneur Alf Gooding, from Risca, who is now company chairman, providing vital support, mentoring and business infrastructure

Fredy Dellis is now joining the team as the CEO and second investor alongside Alf Gooding.

Mr Dellis has a long history in senior management, having previously served as president International at Hertz and Burger King, CEO of Europcar and ResidenSea, the developer and builder of the residential ship “The World” and, more recently, as CEO to a resort real estate company and South American cruise line companies.

His wealth of leadership experience will be invaluable in helping to take the company to the next level. Fredy has dual USA / Belgium citizenship, now living in Miami, and has a rich educational background that includes Harvard Business School.

The opening of the new office in Miami follows a Welsh Government trade mission to San Francisco in March this year which enabled the company to research the market and explore opportunities

Daniel said: “We went to the east and west coasts, made a lot of contacts with support from the Welsh Government and saw some great opportunities that we didn’t want to miss. It’s a major market with real potential for our business which is why we’re opening a new base there.

“We’ve always been inspired by the technology startup dream, and it is incredibly exciting that the company’s journey continues. We have a great team and great clients, and we’re proud to continue representing Wales as we expand into the North American ecommerce market.”

Chief technical officer and director Andrew Cargill has moved to Miami to launch the office, in the heart of Miami’s Wynwood district, in an incubator called The Lab (3 & 4). Two local team members have already been hired.

The company has established itself providing design and development of ecommerce shops, and building Application Programmer Interface integrations which allow clients to link together software systems to speed up their processes, introduce automation and help them develop their businesses.

As part of the move, PHP Genie will become TheGenieLab.