Prefab construction firm Northstar Technologies Group has acquired Quantum, an independently operated subsidiary of Compass Datacenters that provides prefabricated data center modules.
The companies this week announced Northstar has taken majority ownership of Quantum (also known as Compass Edgepoint Systems), which will operate as one of Northstar’s business units and will be split between Northstar Federal and Northstar Enterprise and Defense.
Terms of the acquisition were not shared. Compass Datacenters will continue to be a “strategic partner” of Quantum.
“Northstar is an exceptional company with modular design and construction woven into its DNA, making the Quantum solution a seamless fit within their portfolio,” said Tony Grayson, general manager of Compass Quantum. “They’re an ideal partner—not just because of Northstar’s deep market presence in every sector Quantum serves, but also due to their strong partnership with Owens Corning, whose innovative materials power our deployments. Northstar’s unmatched expertise in composite and modular construction brings tremendous value to our customers, and their scalable production capabilities ensure we can deliver Quantum units anywhere in the world, at any volume.”
Quantum provides 100kW data center modules capable of hosting 12 racks. Quantum said its rugged composite enclosures are engineered for “extreme durability” and tested to withstand F5 tornadoes and Category 5 hurricanes. Available in an as-a-Service model, they also require no concrete for installation. They are also reportedly 100 percent recyclable.
Formed in 2012, Compass is traditionally known for its large campuses serving hyperscalers. The company has 16 data center sites in operation and in development across the US, Europe, and Israel. Compass bought Edge data center specialists EdgePoint and BitBox in 2018 and officially launched the Quantum unit in 2022.
“Quantum has been a key part of Compass’ vision to meet customer needs for Edge capacity from OpEx budgets,” said Chris Crosby, CEO of Compass Datacenters. “We will continue to work closely with Quantum to meet the needs of our customers, and, under the Northstar banner, Quantum will be better able to support defense, military, and federal government customers. Opening up those markets lays the foundation for Quantum’s next phase of growth.”
Founded in 2020, Northstar provides prefabricated composite building systems from fiber-reinforced polymers (FRP). It provides pre-frabbed homes, storage modules, solar structures, and other modules and structures, such as frames and walls.
Paul Inglese, chairman and CEO of Northstar Technologies Group, added: "The rise of IoT, AI, and 5G technologies is driving the need for advanced data infrastructure. Modular data centers are well-suited to support these technologies due to their ability to handle large volumes of data and provide decentralized processing. The acquisition of Compass Datacenter's EdgePoint Systems will allow us to grow our presence in new geographies, broaden the scope of our operations, and enhance our ability to deliver innovative solutions that contribute to global sustainability and efficiency efforts."
