The Data Centre Interview: Pedro Mendieta
In January 2025, Legrand announced the appointment of Pedro Mendieta as President of its Data, Power and Control (DPC) Division.
He now works closely with Legrand’s global data centre teams to drive all aspects of DPC business, including taking advantage of the data centre market growth that has been driven by the rapid adoption of AI technologies and digitalisation trends.
As a leading global specialist in electrical and digital building infrastructure, Legrand’s DPC division consists of industry-leading brands operating across Legrand, North and Central America (LNCA). This includes Ortronics, Raritan, Server Technology, Starline, Approved Networks and ZPE Systems, through which the company offers innovative solutions for data centres, building networks and facility infrastructures.
With more than 15 years of experience working in the data centre industry, Pedro shares his industry insights with Data Centre Magazine.
About Pedro Mendieta
With more than 15 years of experience working in the data centre industry, Pedro has held several key senior strategic and operational leadership roles.
Most significantly, Pedro has worked for leading companies Eaton and ABB and specialised in critical power and power electronics. He recently served as Senior Vice President at Anord Mardix, a Flex company, where he helped lead the global organisation and played a pivotal role in developing market-driven growth and operational strategies.
“In my new role as President of the Data, Power and Control division at Legrand, North and Central America, I am working closely with our global data centre teams to drive all aspects of our business,” he tells Data Centre Magazine. “This includes fostering a culture of innovation, investing in new technology and delivering best-in-class solutions that support our customers and solve the complex challenges they face today.”
BOX OUT HERE
How data centre demand is evolving in North American markets
The data centre market across North America – and the US in particular – continues to swell, with the country working to ensure that its growing AI industry is able to build out the infrastructure required to further digitally transform the country.
Companies like Legrand in the US will be vital to pursue a strategy of profitable and responsible growth, largely driven by acquisitions and innovation.
The company already has a steady flow of new offerings that include products with enhanced value in use across energy and digital transition solutions, data centres, digital lifestyles and energy transition offerings.
“We continue to see the data centre market grow at an unprecedented pace driven by the rapid adoption of AI,” Pedro shares. “This had led to more aggressive project schedules, higher power demands and increased flexibility requirements. Our long-standing commitment to collaboration, reliable service and innovative solutions have positioned us to seamlessly support our customers as they navigate these evolving demands.”
Legrand’s DPC division designs, manufactures and markets world-leading products and solutions with the hope of supporting a more productive and sustainable future for the data centre industry.
STATISTICS HERE?
Its North and Central America division in particular has comprehensive solutions of residential, commercial and data centre markets – something that has made it a benchmark for customers around the world. Having dedicated decades to research and development, Legrand is well positioned to support mission-critical developments across the industry.
However, Pedro acknowledges that industry challenges remain.
“As we all know, data centre project activity and construction are currently at record levels, so our priority is to meet our customer commitments and keep their projects on schedule,” he says. “We also see opportunities for collaborative innovation through solving customer challenges as we meet higher power densities.”
He adds: “We’ve recently added more solutions to the Legrand data centre offering. In 2024, we acquired two North American companies to further meet the needs of data centre, industrial and commercial end users.”
Likewise, the company’s acquisition of ZPE Systems added ZPE’s secure and open management infrastructure and services delivery platform to Legrand’s comprehensive data centre solutions of overhead busway, custom cabinets and containment, intelligent PDUs, KVM switches and advanced fibre and optics solutions.
“Edge computing, AI and operational technology will require more intelligent data centre and edge infrastructure in disparate and remote geographies. This makes highly secure remote management and control a critical IT requirement,” Pedro says.
“Our most recent acquisition is Power Bus Way, a premier provider of custom-designed cable bus solutions for data centres, industrial facilities and commercial projects. The addition of Power Bus Way enables Legrand to more fully serve the quickly expanding data centre market, in addition to industrial facilities, large-scale commercial projects and more, by offering two robust and complementary cable bus solutions.”
Supporting a strategy of profitable and responsible growth
With the US data centre market swelling, particularly in the wake of significant government investment, Legrand North America has prepared to support the company’s vision to achieve profitable and responsible growth.
“At Legrand, we design, manufacture and market world-class products and solutions for a more productive and sustainable future. The exceptional reliability of our technologies results from decades of proven performance and dedication to research and development.”
When it comes to AI, the company is also committed to driving innovation that supports growth and demand of the technology, while ensuring that sustainability remains a priority.
On this, Pedro explains: “Sustainability is a growing priority for many of our customers, especially leading global technology companies. Many end users, for example, are turning to us for guidance on achieving their sustainability goals.
“We are focused on helping our customers meet their evolving environmental, social and governance (ESG) goals by offering solutions that help simplify and optimise operations. These solutions focus on reducing power consumption, leveraging renewable energy, minimizing waste and providing transparency in our own sustainability efforts.”
Looking ahead, Legrand is focused on developing its products and solutions to handle more power, particularly as higher densities and AI systems increase data centre workloads. For its North America division, Pedro is optimistic.
“We will look to invest in new facilities and expand existing facilities to keep up with growing demand,” he says. “We’re also investing in tools and processes to help key suppliers plan and service our business so we can meet our commitments to our customers.
“In 2025, we will continue to grow strategically both organically through innovation and through potential acquisitions that expand our ability to solve our customers’ toughest challenges.”
To read the full article in the magazine, click HERE.