Why has Vertiv Acquired Great Lakes Data Racks & Cabinets?

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.

The US$200m transaction adds to Vertiv’s capabilities in rack, cabinet and integration solutions for white space applications, extending its ability to deliver customised and scalable infrastructure for artificial intelligence (AI) and high-density workloads.

Expanding data centre 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.”

Gio’s comments reflect the growing demand for AI-ready infrastructure, where rack density, cooling and efficient deployment are becoming critical to operators. 

With the acquisition, Vertiv aims to integrate Great Lakes’ expertise into its own portfolio to create a stronger end-to-end service offering for data centres and other digital environments.

Benefits for data centre operators

The company expects the integration to deliver several advantages for its customers:

• Streamlined infrastructure sourcing through a single, expanded portfolio
  
• Faster deployment with pre-engineered cabinet and rack solutions
  
• Operational efficiency from 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 elements align with the growing need for rapid deployment of high-density infrastructure to support data-intensive applications. 

By combining Great Lakes’ enclosure expertise with Vertiv’s power and cooling systems, the company is positioning itself to address both current and future demand from hyperscale, colocation and enterprise operators.

Great Lakes’ track record

Great Lakes was established in 1985 and is headquartered in Edinboro, Pennsylvania.

Over four decades, it has built a reputation as a leading manufacturer of data racks and cabinets, with a portfolio covering both standard and customised solutions.

Its products include seismic cabinets for high-risk regions, enhanced cable management features and integrated systems designed for retrofits and new builds alike. 

The company operates manufacturing and assembly facilities in both the US and Europe, providing an established base to support Vertiv’s global customers.

By bringing Great Lakes into its organisation, Vertiv strengthens its ability to serve projects that require both resilience and flexibility, two qualities critical for modern data centres.

Strategic fit for Vertiv

The acquisition marks another step in Vertiv’s strategy to broaden its end-to-end offerings for critical digital infrastructure. 

Known for its portfolio of power, cooling and IT management solutions, Vertiv is now enhancing its integration capabilities in white space – the area of a data centre where IT equipment such as servers and racks are installed.

With AI workloads driving demand for higher rack densities, and edge computing requiring rapid and flexible deployments, the ability to offer pre-configured, integrated systems has become a key differentiator in the market. 

Vertiv’s expanded product range will allow it to support clients looking for reliable, scalable and efficient infrastructure solutions that can be deployed quickly.

Setting up for future success

The deal also signals a broader industry trend. As AI adoption accelerates, data centre operators are under pressure to deploy infrastructure faster, with minimal disruption and maximum efficiency.

Vendors like Vertiv are responding by consolidating capabilities and investing in integrated design and delivery models.

For Vertiv, the addition of Great Lakes strengthens its ability to compete for projects across hyperscale, colocation and enterprise segments, offering solutions that combine racks, cabinets, power and cooling with global service support.

With the acquisition complete, the company has positioned itself to provide a more comprehensive set of tools for operators navigating the challenges of rapid digital growth, rising rack densities and increasingly complex data centre requirements.