“Demand for total data centre solutions is rising rapidly”

Growing data centre market creates new role for distribution players

The strong growth of AI and cloud services also increases the need for secure and high-performance data storage. That is why Belgium is investing heavily in new data centres. Cebeo, Belgian market leader in the distribution of electrical equipment, is responding to this evolution with a new business unit. “Because as a brand-independent player we can offer a wide range of solutions and have a strong international network, we can support both the big tech players and colocation providers,” says Alain Heymans, Cebeo's Business Development Manager Datacom & Datacenter.

In late 2025, Google announced a new expansion of its data centre in Bergen, while earlier this year LCL Data Centers in Diegem inaugurated its largest data centre ever. Data centres are hot and it is no coincidence that they are being heavily invested in today, as they form the basis for a future-oriented data and AI infrastructure. “Things are moving fast at the moment: data centres are springing up like mushrooms, driven by the market and the big tech players who need extra capacity to keep their AI and cloud services running smoothly. It is therefore those big companies that are setting the pace and standards today,” says Alain Heymans.

From separate components to an integrated story

Data centres are therefore designed and built in a very specific way, with an increasing focus on energy consumption, cooling and efficiency. “It is well known that data centres guzzle energy. And where the energy demand is high, there is also heat. Getting these things under control is one of the biggest challenges today,” Heymans continues.

This is precisely why technological developments in the sector follow each other in rapid succession. Cebeo follows these developments closely and wants to make a difference. “In fact, we can already cover the entire supply chain. And that is an absolute added value for our customers, because the demand for total solutions is high.”

From cooling systems and power cables to monitoring and connectivity, there is more to a data centre than meets the eye. “That is why it is so important to look at the full picture, and that is simply easier to do as a brand-independent supplier,” says Heymans. This allows Cebeo to offer its customers a range of solutions. “But we also see the fact that we are part of the international Sonepar group as a clear asset. Because this way we not only have access to a wider network of manufacturers, but also to knowledge and experience from other markets.”

Cashing in on accumulated expertise

Cebeo has a lot of experience in the field of data centre infrastructure, as demonstrated by the many projects it has realised. For instance, it was recently asked to redesign the basement as a data centre for the pharmaceutical multinational Medpace. Among other things, the focus was on fire safety, access control, lighting and finishing. But backup systems were also built in to guarantee continuity. “For a company that processes large amounts of critical data, a data centre is a necessary link in their operation. At Medpace, we therefore first mapped everything out to finally arrive at a result that met expectations.”

With all its accumulated expertise, Cebeo is now emphatically looking ahead. “The data centre market is growing by 10 to 11 per cent annually and, as a specialised distributor, we want to play an important role in this with a focused logistics service offering,” says Heymans. With a new business unit, in which Cebeo will bundle all data centre expertise, it aims to position itself even more strongly in this growth market in the future. “We want to unburden companies as much as possible, because in the end it always revolves around the same question: how do we make our customers ready for the future?”

Want to know more about what Cebeo can do for your data centre project?
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