Hitachi and Mission Critical Group sign AI data center MoU

Hitachi and Mission Critical Group (MCG) have signed a memorandum of understanding to jointly develop solutions aimed at expanding Hitachi’s HMAX Data Centre, as both companies respond to rising demand for AI-driven data center capacity.

The agreement comes as longer lead times for electrical equipment have become a source of delay in data center construction, according to the source article. Hitachi and MCG said the partnership will focus on modular data center development and power infrastructure, with an emphasis on faster deployment and broader energy solutions.

Demand for modular data centers is increasing, Hitachi has found, as operators look for standardized design, manufacturing, and testing in factory environments while reducing on-site construction and commissioning time. The market is growing at an annual rate of around 20%, according to the article.

MCG, which primarily serves North America, provides power distribution equipment and power modules for data centers. Hitachi’s data center-related offerings include power grid equipment, power distribution equipment, cooling systems, AI infrastructure, and HMAX Data Centre as part of HMAX by Hitachi.

Focus on power and modular buildouts

The companies said they plan to pursue cross-selling opportunities across their customer bases and work together on modular data center projects.

In power infrastructure, Hitachi Energy and MCG aim to deliver end-to-end energy solutions for data center operators globally by combining their technologies, products, and solutions. The partnership also includes plans to integrate Hitachi’s digital technologies, including data collection and AI analytics, into MCG’s modular power equipment.

Planned solution areas include equipment monitoring, AI-powered analytics, predictive maintenance, and energy management optimization. Hitachi Group digital and automation technologies, including HMAX Industry, are also expected to be used to improve manufacturing productivity and operational efficiency across MCG’s production facilities.

MCG operates more than 18 manufacturing facilities across North America, where it designs and manufactures power modules, switchgear, and backup systems.

Executives frame partnership around AI infrastructure demands

"As we enter the AI era, data centres must evolve to meet new demands as critical social infrastructure", says Jun Taniguchi, Senior Vice President and Executive Officer, CEO of Strategic SIB Business Unit for Hitachi.

"Leveraging our unique strengths across energy, digital technologies, products and operational expertise, Hitachi is working through HMAX to create a new operating model that optimises infrastructure across the entire data centre from the power grid to IT equipment."

"MCG is an ideal partner, with a broad customer base ranging from hyperscalers to colocation providers, as well as proven expertise and a strong track record in power and distribution systems", Jun adds.

"Through this partnership, we will combine the strengths of both companies to create new value across the entire data centre lifecycle and contribute to the realisation of sustainable and resilient social infrastructure that supports the AI era."

Jeff Drees, CEO of MCG, linked the deal to the pace of AI-related infrastructure demand.

"AI is accelerating the need for data centre infrastructure that is faster to deploy, more intelligent and built to perform at scale", says Jeff Drees, CEO of MCG.

"By combining Hitachi’s global energy and digital capabilities with MCG’s expertise in modular power solutions and medium- and low-voltage infrastructure, we believe we can accelerate time-to-power while delivering greater visibility, efficiency and reliability throughout the data centre lifecycle."

The partnership centers on combining Hitachi’s energy and digital systems with MCG’s modular manufacturing and power infrastructure capabilities as both companies target expanding data center solutions for the AI era.

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