• Compu Dynamics says as much as 80% of a data centre can be prefabricated off-site while construction continues at the project site
  • Its modular business is expanding manufacturing in Odessa, Texas, as the company tries to shorten the path from design to commissioned AI capacity

The Fact

Compu Dynamics is shifting more of its AI data-centre work from construction sites into factories through its modular division, Compu Dynamics Modular (CDM). The idea is to build and test more equipment before it reaches the customer site, while construction continues there at the same time. Mark Miller, Compu Dynamics' vice-president of construction, says as much as 80% of a data centre could be prefabricated off-site. CDM vice-president Ron Mann says this approach can cut the time needed to get AI infrastructure ready for use by up to 50%. Both figures come from the company and have not been independently verified across completed projects.

CDM is also expanding its manufacturing operation in Odessa, Texas. In March, it bought a majority stake in R&D Specialties, which makes control panels, modular electrical systems and data-centre modules. The companies are adding manufacturing space and automation at the Odessa site, and Compu Dynamics expects its production capacity there to be about six times higher by the end of 2026 than a year earlier.

The company is not only building individual power modules. CDM aims to assemble larger parts of a data centre — including power, cooling and white-space infrastructure — in a factory before the equipment is transported to the site for installation, connection and final commissioning.customer site.

The assessment

Building more of a data centre in a factory can save time because factory work and site construction can happen at the same time. But it also means key design decisions have to be made earlier. The factory needs confirmed dimensions, power requirements, cooling connections and other interfaces before it can build and test the modules.

The site still has to be ready when those modules arrive. Foundations, power and cooling connections, transport access and lifting equipment all need to match what has been built off-site. If the site is delayed, completed modules may sit waiting. If factory production slips, a finished site can face the same problem.

For BTW readers, Compu Dynamics is trying to shorten construction by doing more work before equipment reaches the site. Whether that delivers the claimed time savings will depend on how well factory production, transport, site preparation and final commissioning stay on the same schedule.

What to watch

Watch for named projects using CDM's integrated modular approach and disclosure of how much work is actually completed off-site. Factory output from Odessa, module delivery dates, site installation and commissioning schedules will show whether parallel construction produces the time savings Compu Dynamics is claiming. The planned expansion of Odessa manufacturing capacity is another measurable milestone.