AVK will open its first standalone UK manufacturing facility in Haydock to assemble modular power systems for data centres and AI infrastructure.
The site represents an initial investment of £3 million and expands AVK's UK manufacturing base. It will be located in the Liverpool City Region, near Junction 23 of the M6.
The facility is expected to create a substantial number of skilled jobs in its first year, with hiring across technical, graduate and apprenticeship roles as production increases. Around three quarters of the roles are expected to be skilled technical and operational posts, including electrical and mechanical installation engineers, plant movement operatives and warehousing staff.
Another fifth will be graduate positions in functions including finance, facilities, production management and lean manufacturing. The remaining roles will be apprenticeships linked to a new partnership with St Helens College.
Local pipeline
The partnership will include structured work experience placements and MOET Level 3 engineering apprenticeships. It will also cover curriculum development to align training with industry requirements.
Apprentices will work across electrical and mechanical disciplines, from design to installation. The programme is intended to support progression to higher qualifications such as HNC and HND courses in mechanical or electrical engineering.
The Haydock site will assemble AVK's LV and MV PowerPods, transportable pre-engineered power systems used in data centres. The investment comes amid rising demand for the physical infrastructure supporting artificial intelligence.
Simon Davis, Head of Production Modular Services at AVK, outlined the project's role in the company's wider business.
"PowerPods complete our proposition to the data centre market, and Haydock gives us the dedicated home to build them at scale. This is a British business investing in British manufacturing and British skills, in a region with a proud industrial heritage. The facility will strengthen the UK's ability to power the AI economy while creating real opportunities for local people, apprentices and graduates for years to come," Davis said.
Regional backing
The investment drew support from ministers and local political leaders, who linked it to advanced manufacturing, skills and regional economic development.
"AVK-SEG's investment in Haydock is a strong vote of confidence in UK advanced manufacturing and the Liverpool City Region, creating skilled jobs, boosting apprenticeships, and strengthening our role in powering the AI economy. This is exactly the kind of innovation-led growth set out in the Industrial Strategy-backing British talent, growing priority sectors, and ensuring communities benefit from long-term investment," said Lord Stockwood, Minister for Investment.
"St Helens Borough is proud to welcome AVK's landmark investment in Haydock, bringing with it high-quality, skilled jobs and a renewed sense of opportunity for our communities. This new facility is a powerful vote of confidence in our borough's people, our engineering heritage, and our potential to lead in the industries of tomorrow. Under our leadership, we are determined to back businesses that invest in local workers, strengthen our economy, and deliver real benefits for residents. This project reflects the kind of growth our administration stands for: practical, pro-business, and rooted in British capability. AVK's commitment to creating apprenticeships, graduate roles and technical jobs while working closely with St Helens College will help build a strong pipeline of local talent and give our young people a clear route into well-paid careers. It's exactly the kind of partnership we want to see more of: industry and education working hand in hand to secure long-term prosperity. Haydock's strategic location and deep industrial roots make it the perfect home for this cutting-edge manufacturing, supporting the UK's role in powering the AI economy. At a time when people want to see investment that delivers for Britain, AVK's decision shows that backing domestic manufacturing works. As a council, we will continue to support enterprise like this and put St Helens firmly back on the map as a centre of innovation, skills and growth," said Woodward.
David Baines, MP for St Helens North, focused on the local employment impact and the education link.
"I am delighted to see AVK investing in Haydock. Not only are they creating many high-quality skilled jobs right here in our area, they are also working together with St Helens College to ensure that exciting new opportunities are open for young people across St Helens. In my time as both a Member of Parliament and Leader of St Helens Borough Council, I have always argued for and supported investment in our communities - we have the talent and the infrastructure ready to go - and this is a clear vote of confidence that our area is a place where businesses know they can set up and thrive, bringing the benefits of jobs and growth for local people in and around our communities," Baines said.
AI infrastructure
The announcement comes amid wider discussion about whether artificial intelligence will reduce employment in some sectors. AVK argued that demand for AI is also creating work across energy, engineering and industrial supply chains.
Jonny Clarke, Chief Executive Officer of Capital Enterprise, linked the investment to the buildout needed to support AI systems.
"Today's announcement shows that the AI revolution is much bigger than LLMs and agentic workflows. It's about our ability to build things in the real world. We'll never unlock the full benefits of AI without designing and manufacturing high-quality infrastructure to keep up with its energy needs. As a Liverpool native, it's brilliant to see our region's strengths in engineering and logistics recognised on this scale. The Liverpool City Region is a fantastic choice for locating the critical infrastructure for the AI future," Clarke said.
Haydock was chosen for its transport links and established engineering base, supporting the movement of materials and finished units to customers across the UK and Europe.