Tag: #europe

AI, Data and BEVs Power a New Model for European Long-Haul Transport

Scania Ventures, LOTS Group and JUNA Technologies, together with carrier HAWA, operate one of Europe’s longest electric truck routes, demonstrating that high utilisation, long-haul battery-electric transport is commercially viable already today.

By combining LOTS Group’s AI-based platform Pathfinder with JUNAS’s electrified vehicle solutions and Hawa’s operational logistics expertise, the partners are creating a scalable model for electrified long-distance logistics in Europe. The 1,250-kilometre corridor is already operating in daily commercial service across central Europe. The partnership prioritises operational quality and cost efficiency, demonstrating how intelligent planning, effective asset utilisation, and robust daily operational management can help customers minimise their CO₂ emissions.

LOTS uses Pathfinder to analyse routes, charging requirements and shipment data to design and optimise electric long-haul operations under real-world conditions. This enables the partners to simulate various scenarios, minimise operational risk and adjust routes prior to broader deployment.

At the same time, the setup is designed to be scalable. By analysing operational data over time, the corridor can adapt to new transport flows and be expanded to include additional zero-emission capacity as infrastructure and customer needs evolve.

JUNA provides access to electric truck capacity via a pay-per-use model, thereby reducing barriers to entry for battery-electric long-haul transport. The partners have together created a fully integrated, end-to-end electric corridor that functions in day-to-day operations.

“With Pathfinder, we can design and run electric routes that meet customer requirements and real-world road conditions. The platform enables us to simulate different scenarios, reduce risk and optimise flows before moving into full-scale operations,” says Johan Palmqvist, Managing Director at LOTS Group Europe.

“For JUNA Technologies, this corridor proves that electric long-haul transport is not a pilot project but a viable, day-to-day solution,” says Johan Kjellner, Managing Director and COO at JUNA Technologies. “By integrating our electric truck capacity into a data-driven, AI-optimised network, we can deliver reliable, zero-emission transport at scale”

Electric long-haul road transport is often portrayed as a solution that will only become commercially viable around 2030. This corridor challenges that narrative by demonstrating that heavy battery-electric vehicles can reliably run demanding inter-city stretches with tight delivery deadlines, and ensure year-round utilisation.

 

Dowdetector by Ookla: Largest Outages of 2025

In 2025, digital services proved both indispensable and fragile. This year’s largest outages were defined by platform-level disruptions, particularly across video, gaming, and communication platforms, that impacted millions of users. However, given how many individual platforms rely on the same few cloud providers and core systems, the role of centralized infrastructure also played a key role, demonstrating how a single point of failure can still cause disruption to cascade across multiple services simultaneously.

Downdetector® data from 2025 Ookla could analyze millions of user reports and identify the largest website and service outages of the year.

The World’s Biggest Outages of 2025

2025 saw a combination of major outages across gaming, streaming, and social media services, but none were more impactful than the cloud services outages that affected companies across the globe. These large-scale incidents underscored how failures in core infrastructure can ripple outward to millions of users. Here is a look at the largest global outages of 2025, according to Downdetector data.

 

In Europe:

 

  • PlayStation Network global issue topped the EU list with 1.7 million reports.
  • Snapchat saw the second-highest outage activity in the region with 989,559 reports submitted by users.
  • Vodafone’s UK-wide internet outage generated 833,211 reports.
  • WhatsApp caused significant disruption for its users with 621,763 reports.
  • Spotify’s outage recorded 468,334 reports, making it a major non-video streaming event.
  • Odido experienced, within 10 days, two separate outages that totaled 357,685 reports (June 15th) and 382,003 reports (June 25th).

See more 

Fujifilm Announces instax mini LiPlay+ hybrid instant camera

FUJIFILM Europe GmbH, Imaging Solutions Division, is proud to announce the introduction of its instax mini LiPlay+™ hybrid instant camera (mini LiPlay+), an update to the popular instax mini LiPlay™ line that debuted in 2019. This new camera debuts a variety of new features including dual cameras (a main camera plus a wide-angle selfie camera) with new capabilities for image makers, various enhanced sound capabilities that allow the user to integrate sound into their images (through the use of an integrated QR code printed onto the image), and tasteful upgrades to the camera body.

“As Fujifilm’s first hybrid instant camera, and the first camera with the unique capability to integrate sound into photos, our mini LiPlay™ line of hybrid instant cameras has always been one of our most unique offerings,” said Shin Udono, Senior Vice President, Imaging Solutions, FUJIFILM Europe. “mini LiPlay+™ builds on the distinctive features of the original mini LiPlay™, giving users even more creative ways to express themselves through photos and sound. It’s a truly versatile hybrid camera with a unique set of attributes to suit every skill and interest level”

Main Features:

instax mini LiPlay+™ Smartphone App 

The free, downloadable instax mini LiPlay™ App allows users to capture images remotely via Bluetooth connection, add finishing touches to images with frames, and print photos from a connected smartphone. Users can further embellish their images by adding sticker icons or overlay text, making each image a true custom creation.

Dual camera functionality

The mini LiPlay+™ hybrid instant camera features both a front main camera and a rear-facing wide-angle selfie camera. New to mini LiPlay+™ is layered photo mode, in which images created with both the front and rear cameras can be combined so the images appear in layers, one in the foreground and one in the background. When editing images, users can choose between instax-Rich mode™ and instax-Natural mode™ to accentuate their images and choose from a selection of artful filters to express themselves further. mini LiPlay+™ also features automatic exposure and flash control to enhance image quality and includes either 2 or 10 second timers.

Instax Sound Print™ and instax Sound Album™

Users can utilise the free, downloadable instax mini LiPlay+™ App to add sound features to their images. With the instax Sound Print™ feature users have four unique ways to record 3-second audio clips to add to their images, then listen back by scanning the printed QR code on your photo (instax™ instant film required and sold separately) with their smartphone. Alternatively, the instax Sound Album™ feature turns adventures into custom animated videos with sound, vibrant backgrounds, and standout music. 

New instax™ mini film variety introduced

Also being announced at the same time as the mini LiPlay+™ camera is instax™ mini Soft Glitter instant film available in a 10-exposure pack. Gold accents combine with soothing hues to bring a calming shimmer to the frames around each photo. 

Pricing and Availability

The instax mini LiPlay+™ hybrid instant camera will be available in Sand Beige and Midnight Blue colors from 30th October 2025 at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of €220.00 (inc. VAT). The updated instax mini LiPlay+™ smartphone App will also be available at this time. Available from Fujifilm retailers nationwide.

For more product information, visit  https://www.instax.ie/cameras/mini-liplay-plus/ 

instax™ mini Soft Glitter instant film will be available from 30th October 2025 at a manufacturer’s suggested retail price of €10.50 (inc. VAT). Available from Fujifilm retailers nationwide.

See our instax reviews

Ookla: Onboard Train Connectivity Across Europe

Ookla has analyzed country-level train Wi-Fi performance across Europe and Asia, using Speedtest Intelligence

Europe and Asia’s rail networks, long heralded as a backbone of economic competitiveness, are now judged not only on punctuality and comfort but on the quality of the digital experience onboard. High-quality train Wi-Fi has shifted from nice-to-have to essential rail infrastructure. Commuters expect a home broadband-like experience for streaming, work calls and gaming while crossing the Swiss Alps or skirting Mount Fuji.

Where countries treat train connectivity as rail infrastructure and pair onboard Wi-Fi with rail-specific infrastructure (trackside, LEO satellite or both), everyday outcomes improve measurably for passengers. This study is the first of its kind to use crowdsourced Ookla Speedtest® data to benchmark country-level train Wi-Fi performance across Europe and Asia.

Key Takeaways:

  • The gap separating Europe’s best and worst is startling. In Q2 2025, Sweden set the pace for train Wi-Fi in Europe with a 64.58 Mbps median download, followed by Switzerland (29.79 Mbps) and Ireland (26.33 Mbps). Laggards like Spain (1.45 Mbps), the UK (1.09 Mbps) and the Netherlands (0.41 Mbps) featured the poorest outcomes, with download speeds as much as 158 times slower than top-performing Sweden.
  • Legacy Wi-Fi tech drags many rail networks. Across the European markets studied, nearly two in five connections still run on Wi-Fi 4 (a standard dating to 2009), and ~22% use the lower-capacity, more congestion- and interference-prone 2.4 GHz band. The UK still sees over half of all rail connections on Wi-Fi 4, with 38% on 2.4 GHz. In Poland, rail connections remain almost entirely on Wi-Fi 4 and the 2.4 GHz band.
  • Band and Wi-Fi gen matter, but backhaul is the real bottleneck. Within-country comparisons show substantial uplifts for 5 GHz vs 2.4 GHz (e.g., +328% in Germany) and Wi-Fi 5 vs Wi-Fi 4 (e.g., +241% in Germany). Yet countries that feature a more modern Wi-Fi mix and thus drive greater use of the 5 GHz band, like Spain and Italy, can still underperform on speeds. This demonstrates that backhaul (i.e., the connection between the train’s roof antennas and the public mobile networks), not just cabin Wi-Fi, is the dominant driver of performance.
  • Asian rail networks feature modern Wi-Fi mix and lower latency but are not always faster. Taiwan posted the lowest latency and the only material Wi-Fi 6 share (~20%), while Japan and South Korea showed virtually no legacy Wi-Fi 4 or 2.4 GHz usage. Across Asia, typical median download speeds (6-8 Mbps) cluster below Europe’s leaders but above its laggards, reflecting different policy approaches (i.e., greater emphasis on cellular than Wi-Fi).
  • Policy fingerprints are unmistakable and outweigh topographic and demographic factors. When governments and operators treat mobile networks as core rail infrastructure, and invest in dedicated trackside systems, higher-order MIMO with multi-operator bonded train-mounted antennas, and RF-permeable rolling-stock window retrofits, outcomes improve dramatically.

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Garmin unveils the versatile eTrex Touch to guide every outdoor adventure

Garmin today introduced the rugged eTrex Touch GPS handheld navigator – ­purpose-built for all types of outdoor adventures with a new high-resolution colour touchscreen that allows users to easily swipe and zoom in on their routes. Designed to guide adventurers through a wide variety of activities, the eTrex Touch features preloaded TopoActive Europe maps for roads and trails, and the option to add an Outdoor Maps+ plan for access to additional premium mapping content. With up to 130 hours1 of battery life, adventurers can go on entire excursions without needing to recharge.

“No matter the outdoor adventure, the new eTrex Touch will be your essential companion through it. Featuring a bright color touchscreen that lets you tap, swipe and zoom, the eTrex Touch puts advanced mapping and navigation at your fingertips. Combined with rugged durability and dependable battery life, it allows you to enjoy all of your outdoor activities even more.”

–Susan Lyman, Garmin Vice President of Consumer Sales & Marketing

Explore confidently

 

  • Slender design: Light and easy to carry, the newest Garmin handheld navigator boasts a bright, 3-inch, high-resolution touchscreen and fits in the palm of the user’s hand.
  • Preloaded maps: View TopoActive Europe Maps for roads and trails, and see terrain contours, topographic elevations, points of interest and more.
  • Long battery life: Out of the box, the device offers up to 130 hours of battery life – and up to 650 hours when switched to expedition mode – so outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy activities even longer. When needed, easily recharge with the included charging cable.  
  • Outdoor Maps+: Add an Outdoor Maps+ plan (sold separately) to receive premium mapping content, including high-detail elevation contours, high-resolution satellite imagery, Topo Pro, night lights and more.
  • Durable build: Purpose-built to withstand weather and rugged conditions, it has an IP67 dust/water rating and an impact-resistant to MIL-STD-810 specifications design.
  • Superior accuracy: Multi-band GPS support provides superior location accuracy, allowing explorers to know exactly where they are on their journey.
  • Plan ahead: Connect with the Garmin Explore™ smartphone app for seamless trip planning, or manage waypoints, courses and activities. Users can also see upcoming climbs on their route, when they will occur and how steep they will be.

Available now, the Garmin eTrex Touch has a suggested retail price of £389.99. To learn more, visit garmin.com/outdoor.

JustTip partners with myPOS to streamline solutions for customers

Irish fintech startup JustTip has announced a strategic partnership with myPOS, the payments platform that powers seamless transactions across Europe. The collaboration integrates JustTip’s award-winning cashless tipping and service charge management technology directly into myPOS card terminals, delivering a powerful, fully compliant solution for the hospitality industry.

The integration allows customers to pay both their bill and a tip directly on a myPOS terminal, with payments routed to the merchant’s account, and tips automatically separated, processed, and distributed through JustTip’s transparent platform. Businesses gain access to real-time reporting, automated allocation, and written distribution policies that support compliance with Irish legislation.

In the first 12 weeks of the partnership, the collaboration, which is being rolled out across Europe, has processed more than €3 million in payments and €350,000 in tips, working with renowned clients including Marco Pierre White, Variety Jones, and Farmer Browns.

“Hospitality is under immense pressure to cut costs while keeping staff motivated and compliant with complex legislation,” said James Fahy, co-founder and CEO of JustTip. “By combining our technology with myPOS’s trusted payment infrastructure, we’re giving businesses a powerful, cost-saving solution that eliminates admin headaches, ensures transparency, and puts more money into staff’s pockets.”

The partnership also helps businesses reduce costs, eliminating the 11.15% PRSI charge on tips, while ensuring compliance with legislation in the UK and Ireland’s amended Payment of Wages (Tips and Gratuities) Act 2022, which requires employers to show complete transparency on all tips as well as provide a breakdown of electronic tips and their distribution.

Founded in 2021 by entrepreneurs James Fahy and Ciara Walsh, JustTip emerged in response to outdated tipping practices that lacked transparency for staff and employers. Today, it is trusted by more than 650 companies across Ireland and the UK and is scaling rapidly into new European markets, bringing its unique blend of cashless tipping and tax-efficient automation to more businesses.

“This partnership is a major milestone for JustTip,” added Fahy. “It shows the appetite across Europe for modern, transparent solutions that not only keep businesses compliant but also strengthen trust between employers, employees, and customers.”

Sunseeker Robotics launches its robotic lawnmowers in Europe

Sunseeker Robotics hosted a landmark brand launch event, “Enjoy Boundless Possibilities,” in Hamburg, Germany, officially announcing its expansion into Europe. Unveiling its second-generation wire-free robotic mowers, the company reinforced its commitment to smart lawn care innovation and intelligent outdoor solutions.

While Sunseeker may be new to European consumers, the company brings over a decade of expertise in the lawn care area, with deep insights into user needs and real-world challenges. Having shipped 180,000 OPE and robotic units in 2023, Sunseeker has established itself as a leading innovator in outdoor robotics.

“Years of technical expertise have brought us here, but it is our vision for the future that drives us forward,” says Terry Ma, the founder of Sunseeker Robotics. “We see AI and robotics transforming the industry, and with our deep understanding of user needs, we are positioned to lead this evolution.”

At the launch event, Sunseeker introduced its dual-brand strategy, showcasing the high-performance Sunseeker Elite X Series and the user-friendly Sunseeker V3, designed to meet diverse homeowner needs. The Elite X Series, engineered to handle expansive areas from 800m² to 12,000m², is backed by Sunseeker Elite Lab—a globally leading innovation powerhouse within Sunseeker Robotics.

The X Series integrates three advanced systems: the Full Auto-Driving System, powered by AONavi™ Positioning System and Vision AI technology, ensuring precise and continuous navigation; the ATC ( All-Terrain-Conquer)Driving System, featuring AWD and a patented floating cut deck, enabling adaptability to complex terrains, and the Efficient & Perfect Mowing System designed for a clean, precise cut with optimal efficiency. Notably, the X5 and X7 have been tested and evaluated by the TÜV Rhineland – an independent testing organization for safety, quality, and performance standards.

 

Meanwhile, the Sunseeker brand focused on accessibility and ease of use, introducing the V Series, which offers intuitive solutions for effortless garden maintenance. The V3 shines in even tighter spaces, designed specifically for lawns between 600 and 1,000 m². It features ReadyGo™ and Vision AI technology, allowing for one-click mowing, seamless adaptation to uneven landscapes, making lawn care effortlessly enjoyable for everyone.

Torsten Bollweg, Head of Sunseeker Europe, also proudly announced two major brand partnerships: Sunseeker has become an official sponsor of Bundesliga club Werder Bremen, and Sunseeker will name French rugby star Charles Ollivon as its brand ambassador in France. These strategic collaborations underscore Sunseeker’s ambition to engaging with local audience and expanding its brand presence in key European markets.

HONOR Launches Magic 7 Series in Europe

Global technology brand HONOR today announced the launch of the HONOR Magic7 Pro across Europe. Committed to providing the ultimate AI smartphone experience, HONOR introduced the HONOR Magic 7 Pro which features cutting-edge AI capabilities that revolutionise photography, enhances display quality, and delivers exceptional hardware performance. The HONOR Magic 7 Pro also comes with the Google Gemini app pre-installed. This AI assistant from Google can help users enhance ideas, learn in new ways, write emails, plan events and more.

The HONOR Magic 7 Pro launches in Ireland next month which is great news for the Irish fans and will be available via Harvey Norman

Bond Zhang, CEO of HONOR UK&I said: ‘Our innovation mission is to provide premium smartphone customers with greater choice, and it’s brilliant to bring the HONOR Magic7 Pro to the United Kingdom and Ireland. This cutting-edge smartphone sets a new standard for AI devices, with AI features that seamlessly apply intelligence to make people’s lives easier, faster and more pleasurable.

More than 1 million owners have already chosen HONOR in the UK and Ireland and I feel that the introduction of the Magic7 Pro and Magic 7 Lite will continue to attract more new customers to our exciting brand.’

Empowering Smart Lifestyle with AI-powered MagicOS 9.0

The HONOR Magic7 series offer a truly personalised and intelligent interface that seamlessly integrates AI into everyday tasks. With the enhanced capabilities on Magic Portal, users can circle desired objects within the screen and enable instant text and image comprehension and access wanted app services instantly. Catering to diverse user scenarios, the Magic Portal supports a wider array of applications encompassing social media, entertainment, travel, productivity, and shopping needs. Especially, with improved semantic understanding of landmarks and movie IPs, the Magic Portal now can swiftly direct users to entertainment applications with ease.

Empowering users to maximize productivity, the HONOR Magic7 series also features a wide range of functionalities such as AI Translation and HONOR Notes, making it an essential tool for professionals striving for excellence at work. With AI Translation, the HONOR Magic7 series offers instant translation for up to 13 languages, helping users to bridge language gaps during real-time interactions.

Additionally, HONOR Notes supports the AI Summary feature that can quickly analyse the content of users’ notes and provide a content abstract, this is alongside   AI Minutes, which enables users to distill essential insights from lengthy meeting transcripts or training materials.

Google Gemini App

Gemini’s overlay offers quick access to Google AI assistance and context-aware help with what’s on the screen. With Gemini extensions users can find and take action from information from the Google apps and services like Maps, YouTube, Flights, and Hotels. Users can even create captivating images for fun, inspiration, work and anything in between with Gemini. There is also the capabilities togo ‘Live’ with Gemini to brainstorm ideas, simplify complex topics, and rehearse for important moments with real-time responses – (just click on the Gemini Live button in the Gemini app). Designed to adapt to various conversational styles, Gemini can quickly adapt if someone has a change of thoughts mid-sentence or needs to ask follow-up questions.

Revolutionising the Photography Experience with AI HONOR IMAGE ENGINE

To provide users with an exceptional photography experience, the HONOR Magic7 Pro is equipped with an advanced HONOR AI Falcon Camera System. With the 50MP Super Dynamic HONOR Falcon Main Camera, users can capture intricate details and brightness in various lighting conditions, thanks to its industry-leading 1/1.3-inch Super Dynamic HONOR Falcon Camera sensor and f/1.4 adjustable aperture lens.

The 50MP Wide Camera broadens users’ field of view, making it perfect for landscape shots or group photos. In addition, the 200MP Telephoto Camera is ideal for those who enjoy photographing distant subjects and stunning nightscapes, featuring the advanced 1/1.4” telephoto sensor with a large f/2.6 aperture. This enhancement ensures outstanding clarity and exceptional light intake, even in challenging lighting conditions.

Harnessing the power of both the Light and Shadow Portrait Large Model, the Capture Enhancement Large Model and the Telephoto Enhancement Large Model, the HONOR Magic7 Pro integrates the AI HONOR IMAGE ENGINE – the industry’s first Mobile Imaging System with Hybrid (device-cloud) AI Large Models, providing users with a sophisticated and intelligent photography experience with elevated imaging capabilities. The Harcourt Portrait Modes offers users creative options for capturing striking portraits with refined lighting, while the AI Enhanced Portrait feature delivers ultra-high definition portraits that ensure the true colors of every subject shine through.

In addition, there is a new ‘AI Super Zoom’ feature, designed for framing breathtaking sceneries with a remarkable focal length range of 30x to 100x, capturing crystal-clear images even from great distances. With HONOR AI Motion Sensing Capture, users can capture precious moments with exceptional clarity. Additionally, HD Super Burst allows users to freeze high-speed action sequences with precision at 10 frames per second, ensuring that every movement is precisely captured in every single shot.

Unrivaled Battery Life Combined with Exceptional Gaming Performance

Featuring a 5270mA Third-generation Silicon-carbon Battery, the HONOR Magic7 series use innovative silicon-based anode materials for enhanced performance. This battery provides reliable power in low temperatures and supports fast recharging with 100W Wired HONOR SuperCharge and 80W Wireless HONOR SuperCharge, allowing users to achieve a full charge in just 33 minutes  with a compatible wired charger, making it an excellent choice for individuals who need quick charging solutions. Additionally, the integrated 4-in-1 HONOR E2 Chip enhances power management and conducts battery health detection, intelligently adjusting current based on environmental factors and workload demand. This innovation improves safety and reliability while prolonging the lifespan of flagship smartphone battery performance, even under extreme weather conditions.

Powered by the Snapdragon® 8 Elite Mobile Platform, the Magic7 series are equipped with the advanced Qualcomm® Oryon CPU and Qualcomm® Adreno GPU. Coupled with the industry’s first AI Real-Time Rendering technology, supported by HONOR’s on-device AI capabilities and Snapdragon’s heterogeneous computing architecture, the device delivers PC-level graphics and nearly full-frame gameplay, allowing users to enjoy an unparalleled and responsive gaming experience. Featuring the first AI Predictive Scheduling Engine, the device utilizes AI scene prediction and precise frame rate recognition for optimal system management, ensuring industry-leading frame rate stability with fluctuations below 0.2. Additionally, the device boosts a stereo speaker with an integrated ultra-large sound cavity and spatial audio. Enhanced by a bass enhancement algorithm, this feature delivers a powerful and resonant bass for a richer audio experience.

Pioneering All-around Natural Light Simulation with the Natural Light HONOR AI Eye Comfort Display

The HONOR Magic7 series boast a range of AI-enabled eye-comfort features, including the Circular Polarized Light Display which mimicks the characteristics of sunlight and provides gentle, consistent lighting from any angle. With 4320Hz Risk-free PWM Dimming, Circadian Night Display, Natural Tone Display, Hardware-level Low Blue Light Technology, and more, the 6.8-inch HONOR Magic7 series marks a breakthrough with the Natural Light HONOR AI Eye Comfort Display, which achieves all-around natural light simulation, including colour, spectrum, polarisation, continuity, brightness and rhythm -pioneering a new standard in eye care by simulating natural light characteristics across all dimensions. Additionally, the HONOR NanoCrystal Shield provides exceptional durability by being ten times more drop-resistant than normal glass and certified for dust and water-resistant capabilities, ensuring the HONOR Magic7 series are protected from daily wear and tear.

Colour, Price and Availability

 The HONOR Magic7 Pro will pre-order in the United Kingdom from the 15th of January, in Lunar Shadow Grey and Black. Available in the UK for £1,099.99 at EE, O2, Three, Vodafone, Amazon, Argos, Very, Currys and honor.com/uk where customers can receive a limited offer to claim a HONOR MagicPad 2 gift with purchase, worth £499.99. HONOR Magic7 Pro will be available in the Republic of Ireland from February at €1,299.99 Sim Free for customers of Harvey Norman and Three. For more information, please visit the HONOR online store at www.honor.com/uk.

The HONOR Magic7 Lite launches in the United Kingdom on the 15th of January, in Titanium Purple and Titanium Black. Available in the UK for £399.99 at EE, O2, Three, Vodafone, Amazon, Argos, Very, Currys and honor.com/uk where customers can receive a limited offer to claim a HONOR Earbuds Open gift with purchase, worth £149.99. HONOR Magic7 Lite will launch in the Republic of Ireland from February for customers of Harvey Norman. For more information, please visit the HONOR online store at www.honor.com/uk.

See our HONOR reviews 

Mitsubishi Electric Acquires Irish Air-conditioning Company, Crystal Air Holdings Limited, to Strengthen EU Data Centre Offering

Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V. today announces it has concluded an agreement with Irish air-conditioning installation and maintenance company, Crystal Air Holdings Limited, to acquire all of the shares in the company.

Crystal Air’s sector expertise paired with its installation and maintenance capabilities will boost Mitsubishi Electric’s strategic business offering and ensure the company is well positioned to respond to increased demand in IT cooling and data centre solutions across Europe.

The acquisition of Crystal Air follows Mitsubishi Electric’s establishment of MEHITS (Mitsubishi Electric Hydronics & IT Cooling Systems S.p.A.), that specialises in applied air-conditioning solutions for comfort, process, and IT cooling.

Shinji Kurita CEO and President MEU explains: “Through the establishment of MEHITS, and now with the acquisition of Crystal Air, we have created a strong platform to meet the growing demand in the data centre sector. By integrating our traditional HVAC products with advanced applied solutions and a comprehensive service and maintenance capability, we have significantly enhanced our offering to drive business growth and strengthen our presence in the data centre market.”

Masami Kusano, Living Environment Systems Business Unit President says: “The European market is a key strategic region for Mitsubishi Electric, as the number of new data centres continues to rise, driven by a surge in data transmission volumes. This growth is underpinned by the increasing number of network-connected devices, the expanding adoption of high-resolution video streaming, generative AI technologies, and advancements in IoT. As the demand for IT cooling increases, data centre operators are increasingly seeking end-to-end solutions, encompassing not only the installation and commissioning of air-conditioning systems but also ongoing operation and maintenance services.”

Ciaran Moody, Branch President Mitsubishi Electric Europe B.V. Irish branch says: “We in Ireland take immense pride in our Business Solutions Partners, and we are particularly proud of Crystal Air’s success in delivering their exceptional expertise to the European market, especially their proven excellence in the data centre sector. This acquisition aligns seamlessly with our pan-European strategy to offer a comprehensive suite of services, including product supply, installation, and maintenance. We believe our strategy is fully aligned with the evolving needs and expectations of data centre owners and operators.

Domnick Ward, President of Crystal Air explains: “Combining Mitsubishi Electric’s manufacturing and product expertise with our specialised knowledge positions us uniquely in the market. This partnership enables us to capitalise on growth opportunities and further strengthen our presence in the European data centre sector.”The acquisition will take place on December 18th 2024 subject to approval by the Irish Competition and Consumer Protection Commission.