synaforce acquires Fairbanks International Group

We would like to congratulate synaforce (Portfolio Company of Afinum), a leading provider of premium data centers and managed cloud services, on its acquisition of the Netherlands-based Fairbanks International Group, comprising Fairbanks and 42on, recognized providers of scalable open-source cloud and storage infrastructure solutions. 

Prior to the deal announcement, the OMMAX team supported Synaforce with an add-on Commercial Due Diligence: 

• Assessment of business model, service portfolio, value chain, and recurring revenue profile
• Analysis of market dynamics, including sizing of the addressable market for managed open-source cloud infrastructure in the Netherlands and Germany, as well as regulatory tailwinds
• Identification of Fairbanks’ competitive moat and right-to-win against open-source / Kubernetes boutiques, sovereign cloud hosting providers, and broader managed service providers
• Evaluation of customer economics, satisfaction, and retention, including customer interviews, key purchasing criteria, recurring revenue dynamics, and pipeline assessment

Founded in 2004, Fairbanks has developed into a technology-oriented company with an outstanding position in the global market for managed services and emergency assistance, with a clear focus on open-source cloud infrastructures. Fairbanks supports organizations across the full lifecycle of complex cloud environments - from design and implementation to operation, optimization, and security. Its service portfolio includes managed services, consulting, training, and emergency assistance for OpenStack, Kubernetes, Ceph, and Linux.

In 2019, Fairbanks acquired 42on, a leading provider of services for the scalable open-source storage platform Ceph, further strengthening its expertise in mission-critical open infrastructure. As active members of the Ceph Foundation, the Linux Foundation, the CNCF, and the OpenInfra Foundation, Fairbanks and 42on are deeply rooted in the communities that shape the technologies they support.

For more than a decade, Fairbanks and 42on have enabled companies to design, implement, and manage sustainable, innovative open infrastructures. Their solutions enable companies to scale their digital operations flexibly, shift from capital expenditures (CAPEX) to operating expenditures (OPEX), and introduce new innovations quickly and efficiently.

Through these services, Fairbanks and 42on support telecommunications operators, hosting and service providers, software developers, SaaS companies, universities, public institutions, banks, and e-commerce companies in building, supporting, and managing open-source cloud infrastructures. Combined with synaforce’s broader platform for sovereign, secure, and AI-ready IT infrastructures, the acquisition strengthens synaforce’s position in open, scalable, and controllable cloud infrastructure services. 

Ruud Harmsen, Founder and CEO of Fairbanks International Group, commented:

"We greatly appreciate being part of synaforce. Together, we form a perfect combination of technology, strategy, and culture. As Fairbanks and 42on are strong brands for open-source services, the partnership with synaforce enables us to expand our service portfolio to an even broader customer base. Through our Managed Services, we offer VMware users a clear path to migrate their VMware infrastructure to open-source cloud solutions - including migration services, training, virtual machine migration, and ongoing support. synaforce customers can benefit from the many years of expertise of Fairbanks and 42on. I look forward to exciting times for our employees, customers, and communities!"

Andreas Braidt, CEO of Synaforce, added:

"With Fairbanks and 42on, we are gaining not only technological know-how, but a team with deeply rooted open-source DNA and a strong reputation in a market that is becoming increasingly important for digital sovereignty, AI infrastructure, and European cloud strategies. Ruud and I are convinced that together we can help customers operate critical IT infrastructure in a secure, scalable, and truly independent way."

Wout van Heeswijk, CTO at Fairbanks, commented:

"Fairbanks has built a unique position in the European open-cloud market over many years. Joining synaforce opens up new opportunities for us to further develop our expertise internationally and support our customers even more comprehensively on their path to sovereign cloud, container, and storage infrastructure."

Harry Seip, Partner & Head of Benelux at OMMAX, added:

“Fairbanks International Group operates in a very attractive market niche. The Benelux region is set to benefit from strong underlying market growth and upcoming regulations in this space. By joining forces, synaforce and Fairbanks can further extend their geographic reach and unlock synergy potential through offering a much broader service portfolio to the combined customer base.”

This deal underscores the increasing demand for sovereign, secure, and open-source cloud infrastructure across Europe.

Do you want to know more about OMMAX's experience in transaction advisory and commercial due diligence for private equity-backed software and tech services platforms? Get in touch with the OMMAX experts.

About Fairbanks International Group

Fairbanks International Group is a Dutch specialist in open source cloud infrastructures. The group comprises Fairbanks and 42on. Fairbanks provides Managed Services, Consulting, Training, and Support for OpenStack, Kubernetes, Linux, and open cloud infrastructure. 42on specialises in Ceph-based storage solutions. Together, the companies support organisations in designing, implementing, and operating complex, scalable, and sovereign open source infrastructures – serving clients in more than 20 countries across sectors including telecommunications, hosting, government, research, financial services, banking, software, and e-commerce.

For more information, please visit https://www.fairbanks.nl/

About synaforce

synaforce is a full-service German IT provider and high-end data center operator, formed in 2023 through the merger of several regional IT specialists, including the Hartl Group. The company offers data center services, cloud and managed services, cybersecurity solutions, and other software solutions targeting especially the Critical Infrastructure (KRITIS). synaforce operates its own certified data centres and holds certifications including ISO 27001:2022, DIN EN 50600, BSI C5, ISAE 3402, and ISO 50001. The company pursues an international growth strategy and has been active in Switzerland since 2025.

For more information, please visit https://www.synaforce.com/

About OMMAX 

OMMAX is a leading AI-first management consultancy specializing in AI strategy, business transformation, transaction advisory, and value creation. Founded in Munich in 2011, OMMAX serves large corporates and private equity firms across Europe and beyond, with more than 4,000 completed projects and a Net Promoter Score of 90.