3C and Datalec Merged to Form 3C Datalec

The newly combined company plans to expand its global workforce and infrastructure to support growing AI data center needs.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Data Centers

Isometric editorial illustration of modular liquid-cooling pipes and industrial conduits representing complex data center infrastructure.
3C and Datalec Precision Installations have merged to form 3C Datalec, a combined firm specializing in mechanical engineering for data center cooling. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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3C has merged with Datalec Precision Installations to create 3C Datalec, a combined firm that specializes in liquid cooling and mechanical engineering for data centers. The organization currently supports four of the five largest hyperscalers alongside more than 25 colocation providers.

Why it matters

The merger combines liquid cooling expertise with broad engineering capabilities, a move intended to meet the intense infrastructure requirements of modern AI data centers. By scaling its resources, the company aims to solidify its position as a key service provider in the competitive global data infrastructure market.

The company operates in 16 countries and is supported by investments from firms including Longbow Capital and QIC. It forecasts 2026 annual revenue to exceed US$400 million.

The players

3C Datalec

This newly formed entity integrates liquid cooling, mechanical, and electrical engineering capabilities for the global data center sector.

Steve Walton

He is the former CEO of CoolIT Systems and the founder of 3C.

Apogem Capital

This is one of the investment firms that provided financial backing for the merger.

The details

The platform organizes its services into Create, Construct, and Care pillars, utilizing internal training programs to develop its engineering talent. The business maintains a significant footprint in the industry by serving high-profile hyperscalers and colocation providers across its global operations.

Timeline

  1. Datalec Precision Installations was founded in 2012.

  2. The companies merged to form 3C Datalec on October 14, 2026.

  3. The firm will hire 200 engineers and open new facilities over the next 12 months.

  4. The company expects to reach over US$400 million in annual revenue in 2026.

The Tech Race

The merger reflects a wider industry trend of consolidating specialized engineering firms to address the rise of high-density AI data center infrastructure requirements. This move positions the combined entity to compete directly with larger infrastructure service providers in a rapidly scaling market.

The increased engineering capacity of 3C Datalec aims to improve the efficiency and cooling performance of large-scale data centers. For tech users, this helps support the underlying reliability and sustainability of the cloud services and AI applications they interact with daily.

The takeaway

This merger signals that data center cooling and electrical engineering have become critical bottlenecks as AI demand increases. Companies that integrate these specialized services into a single platform are positioning themselves to lead the next phase of global digital infrastructure growth.

What happens next

The company plans to hire 200 new engineers and open new facilities in Warsaw, Calgary, and Austin over the coming 12 months.

Further reading

Learn more about the infrastructure supporting the digital age in the Data Centers section.

More information

For more information on the company, visit the 3C Datalec company website.

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