GSE acquires critical building and confirms its ambition to become a leading european player in the design & build of data centers and digital infrastructure
GSE announces the acquisition of Critical Building, a leading expert company in data center development with expertise across the entire project cycle. This strategic move marks a significant step in GSE’s growth within the critical infrastructure sector. Building on Critical Building’s expert knowledge GSE will establish a European Center of Excellence in Data Center Engineering to support clients with complex infrastructure needs. This unique center of expertise will allow clients of GSE access to a fully integrated Design & Build solution, while meeting the major challenges of speed, flexibility and delivery security that characterise the data center market.
The acquisition fits perfectly into the strategic approach of the GOLDBECK Group, the parent company of GSE, to strengthen the engagement in the data center business throughout Europe. At the same time, Critical Building will continue to operate independently and to support its own customers with their well-established high level of expertise.
A comprehensive and integrated data center offering
This acquisition is built on the strong complementarity of expertise between the two companies, as well as on shared values: commitment, transparency, and the drive to create value for clients.
The collaboration with Critical Building strengthens GSE’s capabilities in data center design. It enhances GSE’s offering with specialised skills and broad expertise. At the same time, it enables the company to address the challenges of performance, sustainability, and reliability in the most complex projects, within a rapidly developing and technology-driven market. GSE strengthens its ability to offer a comprehensive solution, combining independent engineering, design excellence, execution mastery and integrated project management. GSE and Critical Building will jointly cover the entire lifecycle of data center construction, from site selection to operational certification at the end of construction.
20 years of experience in the field of critical infrastructures
Founded in 2006, Critical Building brings nearly 20 years of experience in the field of critical infrastructures. Its mission is to support clients in their data center projects: site selection, construction, renovation, and optimisation, with an independent, tailor-made approach focused on the real needs of users. The company operates across the entire value chain: site selection, due diligence, strategic studies, technical design, project management consultancy (PMC), design & engineering, audits, energy optimisation, infrastructure security, innovation, commissioning, and operational support.
While becoming part of GSE, Critical Building will retain its own identity and governance. The company will continue to operate independently in the market and maintain its customer relationships.
A European ambition within the GOLDBECK Group
For several years, GSE has been developing dedicated expertise in data centers, with a clear ambition: to become the fastest, most flexible, and committed hub for Design & Build in this strategic sector in its European markets. Together with Critical Building, GSE will deliver a distinctive, agile, and high-value offering, tailored to the demands of a rapidly evolving sector. By combining their expertise, GSE and Critical Building demonstrate their commitment to establishing a European benchmark in data center engineering and construction.
This fits perfectly into the strategic approach of the GOLDBECK Group, the parent company of GSE, to engage into data center business throughout Europe. The entire GOLDBECK Group will benefit from the acquisition due to extensive inhouse data center expertise, thus creating substantial value for the future development of data center business.
Roland PAUL, President of GSE: “By combining our recognised know-how in data center construction with Critical Building’s cutting-edge expertise in independent engineering, we are accelerating the creation of a genuine European center of excellence, serving demanding customers in search of performance, sustainability and operational responsiveness“.
Thibaut SIMEON, Laurent TRESCARTES, Jean-Marc DUGOUJON & Yannick DELAS, founders of Critical Building: “By selecting GSE and the GOLDBECK Group, we are opting for a solid industrial partner, whose strategic vision and values are perfectly in tune with our own. This operation marks a key stage in our development: it preserves our identity and our way of working, while providing us with the means to reach a new level. Together, we share the desire to build a European center of excellence in data center engineering and construction, capable of meeting our customers’ growing challenges in terms of performance, resilience and sustainability. This partnership acts as a powerful catalyst that will enable us to strengthen our competitiveness, accelerate our growth and broaden our ability to support our customers across the continent.
Hans-Jörg FRIAUFF, Managing Director of GOLDBECK Group: “Data centers are the backbone of digital infrastructure – and demand is growing rapidly. With our approach of building economically, quickly, and at the highest technical level, we are contributing to Europe’s digital future – always in close partnership with clients and other trades. This is how we create places where data flows securely, stably, and sustainably.”
