Eaton is set to expand its European manufacturing capacity thanks to an €810 million takeover of COL Group. 

COL Group is an Italian-based manufacturer of medium- and low-voltage switchgear, grid automation technology, prefabricated substations and modular power systems. It already has an established foothold in the data centre market, while also supplying other industrial customers and utilities. 

The firm employs around 400 people across facilities in Turin, Milan, Bergamo and Catania, all of which are expected to join Eaton after the acquisition. 

Speaking of the acquisition, Omar Zaire, President, EMEA Region, Corporate and Electrical Sector at Eaton, noted, “COL Group brings complementary technologies, manufacturing capabilities and engineering expertise that will further strengthen Eaton’s European power distribution platform.

“The acquisition will enhance our ability to support utility and data center customers’ increasing need for resilient, sustainable power infrastructure and integrated grid-to-chip power solutions.”

The deal adds to Eaton’s recent expansion across data centre electrical and cooling infrastructure.

In 2024, Eaton and CTS Nordics opened a NordicEPOD manufacturing facility in Norway capable of producing up to 350 prefabricated data centre power modules annually.

Earlier this year, Eaton also completed its acquisition of Boyd Thermal, adding liquid cooling technology for high-density data centre deployments.

COL strengthens the electrical side of that portfolio, adding European manufacturing and engineering capability around the switchgear and power-distribution systems required to support new data centre capacity.