CBRE Acquires Global Data Center Tech Company

Sandeep Davé, Chief Digital & Technology Officer, CBRE Global Workplace Solutions

CBRE Group is adding to its data center advisory business with the acquisition of U.K.-based Romonet, an advanced analytics software company that provides technology and consulting services for large global data centers.

Founded by data center technology pioneers Zahl Limbuwala and Liam Newcombe in 2008, the firm serves clients around the world. Romonet, which uses cloud-based technology to unlock efficiencies and increase capacity at data centers, will be integrated into CBRE’s global Data Center Solutions offering. Romonet’s team will be joining CBRE as part of the deal.

John Dunstan, President, Data Center Solutions at CBRE

“Romonet adds complementary market-leading solutions to our existing platform and will help us to deliver highly differentiated outcomes for our clients across the globe,” John Dunstan, president of Data Center Solutions at CBRE, said in a prepared statement. 

“We are not only excited about Romonet’s technology, which will add to our market differentiation, but also the phenomenal talent that will join CBRE,” added Sandeep Davé, chief digital & technology officer for CBRE’s Global Workplace Solutions business.

Growing through acquisition

CBRE, which manages more than 800 data centers around the world, is a leading service provider to data center owners, occupiers and investors, including consulting services, advisory and transaction services, project management and integrated data center operations. In October, Lincoln Rackhouse, the data center division of Lincoln Property Co., hired CBRE’s Data Center Solutions team to manage a 1 million-square-foot portfolio with campuses in Kansas City, Mo., Dallas and Phoenix.

Zahl Limbuwala, Founder & CEO, Romonet

“The data center market continues to rapidly evolve and scale, and automation is increasingly critical. Joining CBRE’s leading global data centers team will allow us to provide worldwide support and capability for our clients,” Limbuwala explained.

CBRE is known for expanding its service lines and offerings through acquisitions. In September, the company acquired Noveen Consulting, a Louisville, Ky.-based consulting firm that provides services to healthcare facility owners.

In June, CBRE made two purchases, picking up Facility Source, a leader in technology-based procurement and facility management solutions in the U.S. for $290 million in cash, and Ramot Group, a leading facilities management provider in Israel. Both were integrated into the Global Workplace Solutions group. At the end of 2017, CBRE had added Geico Lender S.p.A., a building technical engineering services provider in Italy, to the Global Workplace Solutions group.

Images courtesy of CBRE Group