In a significant advancement in the data center industry,
3C has officially merged with
Datalec, marking a transformative step towards establishing a powerful liquid cooling and data center services platform. This newly formed entity,
3C Datalec, is set to emerge as a leading force in the space, aiming for impressive revenue of over
$400 million in the near future.
Founded by former CoolIT Systems CEO Steve Walton,
3C has predominantly focused on liquid cooling solutions, while
Datalec, launched in
2012 and based in London, brings substantial expertise in data center engineering. The union is set to leverage both companies' strengths, offering data center operators a streamlined partnership from design to operational execution.
With an influx of fresh investments from notable backers such as
Longbow Capital,
S2G Investments,
Apogem Capital, and
QIC,
3C Datalec plans to expedite its growth trajectory. The strategic investment is particularly timely as demand for AI-responsive infrastructure is on the rise. Over the next year, the company anticipates recruiting
200 engineers and launching new facilities in urban hubs including
Warsaw, Calgary, and
Austin.
Currently,
3C Datalec boasts approximately
1,000 employees and engages in projects across
16 countries, collaborating closely with four out of five major hyperscalers and over
25 colocation providers. The company's innovative solutions target the rapidly evolving complexity of AI workloads, which necessitate advanced cooling, power management, and site engineering solutions. Their approach is structured around three core components:
Create: This pillar focuses on design and engineering, ensuring each project meets rigorous standards of performance.
Construct: Here, the emphasis is on implementing liquid cooling, mechanical engineering, optical design manufacturing, and connectivity installations, all critical for efficient data center operations.
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Care: This segment addresses commissioning, operations, maintenance, and overall facilities management, thereby ensuring sustainable infrastructure management.
CEO Steve Walton emphasized the criticality of shifting towards liquid cooling: ‘Rack densities have outgrown air; liquid cooling is now a necessity rather than a choice.’ This sentiment underscores the growing market shift towards higher efficiency cooling solutions as data centers adapt to new challenges posed by AI technologies.
One of the significant hurdles facing the sector is a shortage of skilled labor. To counteract this issue,
3C Datalec is investing in its workforce by rolling out apprenticeship and technical training programs through its dedicated internal university, aiming to cultivate the next generation of data center specialists. Employees will also benefit from the
Leadership Employee Equity Program (LEEP), allowing them to share in the company's successes.
Datalec's Co-Founder,
Danny Keeper, remarked on the importance of a strong corporate culture and relationships built on trust, which will remain at the core of their operations moving forward. ‘Finding a partner in
3C that aligns with our ethos of prioritizing people was crucial for us.’
This merger is poised to redefine the landscape of data center infrastructure, particularly as AI continues to revolutionize computing needs. The collaboration embodies a cohesive approach to address the demanding requirements of modern workloads, blending expertise from both entities to set a new industry standard. The heart of their commitment to their customers remains unchanged, ensuring high service quality and continuity with existing teams and contacts.
3C Datalec embodies a vision for the future where liquid cooling is central to not just performance but also sustainability within data center frameworks. As the sector gears up for an era marked by rapid technological advancement and increased demand, this merger stands as a beacon of innovation and commitment to quality service. For further details, visit
3C Datalec's website.