LFB rebrands data centre cooling arm as Apx in Europe

LFB Group has rebranded its data centre cooling division as Apx, positioning the business to meet the rising demand from larger data centres and increasingly high rack densities. The group unveiled the new brand at its research and development facility in Lyon, where it also showcased its expanded engineering and validation capabilities.

Apx sits within the LFB Group portfolio alongside the HVAC business Redge and refrigeration specialist Friga-Bohn. This rebranding follows a shift in corporate identity, as LFB Group previously utilised the Lennox name for several areas of its operations.

Market backdrop

Operators and suppliers have increased their focus on cooling as data centre designs shift in response to more intensive compute use. The company linked the shift to AI workloads and a move towards higher rack densities.

Apx said the rebrand reflects "the growing complexity, pace and performance expectations of the industry". The company described its ethos as "applied precision and experience".

The Apx business draws on more than 20 years of work in server rooms and data centres in Europe, according to the company. It said it plans to emphasise earlier engineering involvement and validation work as part of its delivery approach.

Engineering approach

Apx said co-engineering and pre-commissioning form "fundamental parts" of its approach. The company pointed to its facilities in Lyon as a base for that work. It also cited complementary sites in Genas, Mions, Longvic and Burgos.

The company said the network gives Apx an integrated production and validation footprint in Europe. It also listed precision manufacturing, automated testing and climatic validation among its activities.

"The industry's dams have well and truly burst, with billion dollar projects and developments being announced almost every week. Keeping on top of this demand though, has never been more important. Today, collaboration is everything. Operators are searching for partners who can offer them both flexibility and agility, enabling them to build for the future while reacting quickly to what's happening right now. That's where co-engineering becomes critical; by working with designers, contractors and operators from day one, we can shape decisions together, anticipate challenges and engineer solutions before they become problems," said Matt Evans, CEO, Apx Data Centre Solutions.

Apx said pre-commissioning has long formed part of its standard work. Evans said the approach has become more significant as projects scale and timelines tighten.

"While no one can predict what's around the corner, one thing is clear: performance has to be proven earlier. It's been one of our grounding principles since the start; the idea that pre-commissioning must be core to every product's DNA. By front-loading engineering, validating performance up-front and removing uncertainty before components reach sites, we give operators the head space, and time, to meet the demand.

"The direction of travel is clear: scale, capacity and density. And I couldn't be more excited about where we've taken this business. The new Apx name marks our next chapter, and it's one we're genuinely proud to be part of," said Evans.

Product line

The company has stated that this rebranding initiative follows the successful introduction of three inaugural product lines. These include a Computer Room Air Handler (CRAH), a Fan Wall Unit (FWU), and a Coolant Distribution Unit (CDU).

Apx confirmed that these innovative solutions are positioned alongside its existing portfolio of dedicated data centre technologies. However, within the official announcement, the company elected not to disclose specific commercial pricing structures or the details of any current customer contracts.

Hiring plans

Apx has announced comprehensive plans to initiate a recruitment drive across several key departments, including Project Management, Operations, Controls, Commissioning, and Sales Support. The company indicated that these professional roles will be distributed across its primary European hubs in France, Germany, and the Netherlands.

According to the organisation's projections, the dedicated data centre workforce is anticipated to expand significantly, reaching a total of approximately 50 employees by the year 2027.