FEATURE
Bright spark – Companies must explore ways to expand their digital footprint safely – which is where Durata ’ s modular buildings come into play .
Shaping Teesside for the digital age
Durata aims to step up modular data centres drive
WORDS : PAUL FRASER
Potential – Durata ’ s first head of modular data centre projects Lewis Cobb is confident everything is in place for Middlesbrough to go global .
Middlesbrough ’ s rapidly expanding Durata aims to make Teesside “ The home of of modular data centres ” by repurposing the area ’ s talent and skillset into the digital age .
The specialist in data centre infrastructure wants to combine those talents with its own expertise to develop its own modular data centres , before supplying them to the industry and around the world .
Durata ’ s grand plan has coincided with the appointment of its first head of modular data centre projects , Lewis Cobb . He sees enormous potential in what can be designed and created from the company ’ s headquarters at the TeesAMP business park .
And having realised the extent of the area ’ s rich industrial heritage , he is confident everything is in place for Middlesbrough to go global – and some huge players in the data centre industry are already on board .
Since joining Durata , Lewis , originally from London but now splitting his time between the North-West and Teesside , has been struck by a quote from renowned local artist Mackenzie Thorpe , who suggested , “ Middlesbrough is everywhere ”.
Mackenzie , speaking at the Tees Business Awards in April , added : “ We were called the titans of industry , the leviathans , the Ironopolis of the world – and wherever I go , I guarantee you I will meet Middlesbrough people .”
And Lewis said : “ This division of Durata is about a new vision for Teesside that will effectively work closely with the area ’ s history .
“ Boro ’ s iron age , steel , can now be transferred into the digital age . This area is renowned for steel that made the Sydney Harbour Bridge , the Wembley arch – we are looking to do the same thing in a different way with our modular buildings .
“ We envision Teesside steel as the robust shell to our Edge Data Centres , which will house and protect innovative IT Infrastructure technologies that will drive the digital age . Our in-house Durata teams will then design and implement data centre infrastructure within the steel shells which will support those technologies in operation .
“ To complete the offering , we will then collaborate with Teesside ’ s great logistics and freeport to deliver anywhere in the world , making us a global player in the market . We will take clients and projects from concept to completion .
“ We are spearheading that offering . From steel bending to fabrication , and from painting to mechanical and electrical , we bring a skilled
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