In a warehouse yard on the edge of Haydock, not far from Junction 23 of the M6, plans are taking shape for a new facility that will assemble the power systems driving Britain's AI expansion. AVK announced the project on or around 7 July, committing an initial £3 million to its first standalone UK manufacturing site in the Liverpool City Region. The move anchors modular low and medium voltage PowerPods, pre-engineered and transportable units designed for data centres and the surging demands of artificial intelligence infrastructure.
This is the social market economy at work. A British business choosing to invest in British manufacturing rather than extending supply lines across continents. The Haydock site was picked for its logistical edge, established engineering workforce and direct motorway access that will speed distribution across the UK and into Europe. Such decisions rarely make headlines yet they quietly rebuild the domestic capabilities essential for technological sovereignty.
PowerPods complete our proposition to the data centre market and Haydock gives us the dedicated home to build them at scale. This is a British business investing in British manufacturing and British skills in a region with a proud industrial heritage. The facility will strengthen the UK’s ability to power the AI economy while creating real opportunities for local people apprentices and graduates for years to come.
Simon Davis, head of production modular services at AVK, spoke those words in the company announcement. His tone carries the pragmatism of someone who has watched too many critical components arrive from distant factories. The facility forms part of AVK’s broader UK manufacturing strategy to develop scalable domestic capacity. Early production will focus on assembly rather than full fabrication, yet the intent is clear: shorten vulnerable supply chains for the power infrastructure that keeps hyperscale data centres online.
Job creation tells its own story. The project is expected to generate a high number of skilled positions in its first year, with room for growth as output scales. Roughly three quarters will be technical and operational roles: electrical and mechanical installation engineers, plant movement operatives and warehousing staff. Another fifth will go to graduates in finance, facilities, production management and lean manufacturing. The remainder are reserved for apprenticeships. AVK has already partnered with St Helens College to deliver work placements and Level 3 engineering apprenticeships, linking the plant directly to local talent pipelines.
Lord Stockwood, minister for investment, welcomed the news.
