Ethos Engineering, the Irish data centre design specialist backed by private equity firm Exponent, has acquired 3DEC Ltd, strengthening its capabilities in information and communications technology design as demand for digital infrastructure accelerates.
The acquisition brings 3DEC’s specialist expertise in ICT systems for data centres, commercial offices and education environments in-house, an area increasingly seen as mission-critical as operators push for more resilient, efficient and sustainable facilities. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Ethos said the transaction would complement its existing offering, allowing it to provide more integrated services to clients developing complex data centre and workplace projects. The move also adds more than 40 engineers to the group, taking total headcount to nearly 300.
The deal marks Ethos’s second strategic acquisition since June last year and follows Exponent’s investment in the business in March 2024. Since then, Ethos has expanded rapidly, opening offices in the UK and the Netherlands and recently moving into a new purpose-built headquarters in Dublin. The company said it would continue to assess further acquisitions that broaden its technical capabilities and geographic reach.
Greg Hayden, chief executive of Ethos Engineering, said the two companies had worked closely together for several years. “We know the team at 3DEC well and have collaborated on many projects over the past six years,” he said. “It has become clear over that time that we share a similar culture, focused on excellence and innovation for clients. Bringing their expertise in-house will enhance our offering and help accelerate project delivery.”
For 3DEC, the transaction offers scale and access to a broader client base at a time when investment in data centres is rising sharply across Europe. Dylan Lewis, managing director of 3DEC, said joining Ethos would allow the business to grow faster than it could independently. “Ethos is a highly ambitious firm with a strong reputation among blue-chip data centre clients,” he said. “Together, we can expand and enhance our services for customers.”
Anthony Clegg, a partner at Exponent, said the acquisition represented an important step in Ethos’s growth strategy. He pointed to the company’s expanding roster of hyperscale and co-location data centre clients across Europe since Exponent’s investment.
3DEC will continue to operate under its existing brand, led by Mr Lewis and the current management team.
