Can Vertiv's Great Lakes deal scale AI-ready manufacturing?

Vertiv has confirmed the completion of its acquisition of Great Lakes Data Racks & Cabinets, strengthening its position in the global market for high-density data centre infrastructure.
This strategic move enhances Vertiv's manufacturing capabilities, focusing on the integration of rack, cabinet and infrastructure solutions aimed at supporting AI and high-density workloads.
Bolstering manufacturing solutions
Announcing the deal, Gio Albertazzi, CEO of Vertiv, says: “We are pleased to officially welcome the Great Lakes team to Vertiv and begin innovating new white space solutions.
“Great Lakes brings exceptional talent and capabilities that will enhance our ability to deliver comprehensive infrastructure solutions, furthering Vertiv’s capabilities to customise at scale and configure at speed for AI and high-density computing environments.”
This statement underscores the integration of Great Lakes’ talent and capabilities into Vertiv’s manufacturing processes, augmenting their ability to deliver tailored infrastructure solutions rapidly.
This acquisition highlights the growing demand for AI-ready manufacturing infrastructure, where efficient deployment and integrative cooling are critical components.
Vertiv integrates Great Lakes’ expertise to reinforce its service offering in manufacturing settings, aimed at high-density computing environments.
Manufacturing benefits and service expansion
The integration promises several advantages for data centre operators through the optimisation of Vertiv’s manufacturing capabilities:
- Streamlined infrastructure sourcing through a single, expanded portfolio
- Faster deployment with pre-engineered cabinet and rack solutions
- Operational efficiency via factory integration of Vertiv power and cooling technologies
- Improved scalability for AI and edge computing applications
- Global service support through Vertiv’s established international network
These advantages cater to the industry's growing need for swift deployment of high-density infrastructure, crucial for supporting data-intensive applications.
By integrating Great Lakes’ enclosure expertise with Vertiv’s robust power and cooling systems, the combined entities position themselves to address current and future demands from hyperscale, colocation and enterprise operators.
Manufacturing history of great lakes
Founded in 1985 and based in Edinboro, Pennsylvania, Great Lakes has carved out a reputation as a leading name in the manufacturing of data racks and cabinets.
Its established manufacturing and assembly facilities in both the US and Europe present Vertiv with a solid foundation to support its global manufacturing demands.
By integrating Great Lakes, Vertiv bolsters its ability to protect projects that require resilience and flexibility, vital attributes for modern data centres.
Strategic manufacturing integration
Vertiv’s acquisition of Great Lakes marks progress in enhancing its comprehensive offerings in critical digital infrastructure.
This enriched capability in manufacturing enables Vertiv to support industries actively seeking reliable, scalable and efficient infrastructure solutions that can swiftly respond to digital growth and the complex requirements of contemporary data centres.
As AI pushes for increased rack densities, the ability to offer pre-configured, integrated systems positions Vertiv as a pivotal contender in the market.


