AHEAD opens UK Foundry facility to accelerate EMEA expansion
The Reading site will support AI, HPC and edge infrastructure deployments across the UK and Europe
US-based AHEAD has opened a new Foundry facility in Reading, marking the latest step in the US-based firm’s expansion into Europe.
The site will act as the company’s European production centre, supporting the design, integration, configuration, testing and deployment of AI, high-performance computing (HPC) and edge infrastructure
It will also support complete rack solutions for organisations across the UK and Europe.
“Opening our doors today is about entering the EMEA market with proven capabilities already in place, not simply establishing a new location,” said Paul Allen, who was hired as EVP of sales for EMEA in April.
“Our Reading Foundry is fully operational from day one, enabling customers to locally build, integrate, validate, and deploy the complex AI infrastructure they need, while benefiting from the same industrialised delivery model, quality, speed, and consistency that AHEAD customers have come to expect.”
Expanding European infrastructure capabilities
The Reading site is based on AHEAD’s existing Foundry model and is supported by Hatch, its IT lifecycle management platform.
AHEAD said the facility will allow customers to build and deploy infrastructure closer to where it will ultimately be used, while retaining visibility across infrastructure builds, assets and shipments.
At the site, teams will assemble, integrate, configure and validate complete rack solutions and supporting hardware ahead of deployment.
Chris Tucker, EVP of Foundry at AHEAD, said the move reflects increasing demand for more complex AI infrastructure deployments.
“Building AI infrastructure is about much more than assembling hardware,” he said.
“Clients need confidence that every rack, system, and deployment arrives fully integrated, validated, and ready to perform.”
He added that combining Foundry with Hatch will give customers enhanced visibility across the lifecycle of their infrastructure.
The opening follows AHEAD’s buyout of Netherlands-headquartered Prolimax and the expansion of its presence in its home market through the opening of a new air- and liquid-cooled rack integration facility in Illinois in May.
Beyond Allen’s appointment earlier this year, the organisation has revamped its leadership team over the past 12 months, naming Sumed Marwaha India managing director and Donie Lochan CIO last August.