Salute has agreed to acquire T5 Operations, expanding its position in data centre operations services.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. T5 Operations is part of the services business of T5 Data Centres, and the acquisition would add its facility management and mission-critical operations capabilities to Salute's existing data centre lifecycle services business.
The combined business would manage more than 15GW of data centre capacity across more than 150 markets worldwide. Total headcount would rise to more than 3,800, extending the group's reach with hyperscalers, large operators and other customers building out AI, high-performance computing and cloud infrastructure.
The deal comes as demand for specialist operational support in data centres continues to rise alongside investment in AI-related computing capacity. Operators are under pressure to maintain uptime, improve training and safety, and adapt sites to technologies such as direct-to-chip liquid cooling.
T5 Operations brings 12 years of experience in integrated facility management and mission-critical services in the US and Europe. Salute said the addition would strengthen its facility management, operations and commissioning work, while broadening the expertise it offers customers running increasingly complex data centre estates.
Erich Sanchack, Chief Executive Officer of Salute, linked the acquisition to the expansion of AI-focused facilities and the need for a larger workforce in the sector.
"This latest deal is a significant step in our growth journey, one that's fueled by demand for AI/HPC facilities across the world," said Erich Sanchack, Chief Executive Officer of Salute. "We are highly aware that this growth brings with it significant responsibility. As a services provider developing a highly skilled workforce, we are citizens of the communities in which data centers operate, committed not only to meeting demand from customers, but to leaving a positive legacy. Finding companies that share our vision and our values is hugely important to us and with the team at T5, we are confident we have found exactly that."
He said T5 Operations has built a strong customer base over the past 12 years.
"Over the last 12 years, T5 Operations has been providing fully integrated FM and mission critical services to the world's most sophisticated customers, including hyperscalers and wholesale data center developers. Led by an experienced and tenured leadership team, the business is renowned for its robust training, safety and technical operations both in the US and across Europe, experiencing rapid growth among both new and existing customers," said Sanchack.
Leadership changes
As part of the deal, Pete Marin, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of T5 Data Centres, will join the Salute board. David Mettler, Executive Vice President of T5 Operations, will join Salute's executive leadership team.
Marin said the transaction would give T5 Operations customers and staff access to a larger international platform.
"Joining Salute creates an opportunity to build on what our Operations team has already established over 12 years, while giving our customers and employees access to the resources and reach of a global data center operations platform as our industry continues to experience unprecedented growth," said Pete Marin, Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of T5 Data Centres. "This is the right fit based on shared values, including the same commitment to uptime and seamless integration with a proven history of delivery, all backed by a workforce that ranks among the best in the business."
Mettler said the agreement reflects T5 Operations' standing in its existing market.
"Salute's announcement of the deal to acquire the T5 Operations business is exciting for our employees, because it recognizes the strength of our services model and our focus on operational excellence," added David Mettler, Executive Vice President of T5 Operations. "For our customers, this represents the right partnership to meet their support needs across the full data center lifecycle. I'm looking forward to bringing T5's owner mindset to the Salute team and be part of Salute's industry-leading portfolio of global data center solutions."
T5 restructuring
The deal also forms part of a wider reorganisation of T5's services arm. With T5 Operations moving to Salute, T5 Construction is being renamed EverOn Data Centre Services and will operate as an independent data centre construction company focused on mission-critical digital infrastructure.
Salute, founded in 2013, operates in more than 100 markets through 12 global offices and has previously said it employed more than 2,500 people. The acquisition would materially increase that scale as operators and service providers compete for skilled staff able to manage sites that support dense computing loads and more demanding cooling systems.
For customers, the combination points to further consolidation in the market for outsourced data centre operations, as specialist groups seek broader geographic coverage and deeper technical teams while AI and cloud investment reshape facility management and uptime requirements.
Upon closing, the enlarged business would have more than 15GW of data centre capacity under management across more than 150 markets globally and a workforce of more than 3,800 employees.