Mission Critical Group Integrates Automation, Transformer Equipment Capabilities through New M&A
Modular and on-site power systems developer Mission Critical Group is broadening its array of project services with two recent merger and acquisition deals bringing automation and electrical equipment infrastructure into the fold.
This week, Texas-based Mission Critical Group (MCG) announced it was acquiring Anchor Automation based in Florence, South Carolina. The deal will expand MCG's project capabilities beyond engineering, manufacturing and field services to include automtion, remote monitoring and lifecycle support.
“Our customers are looking for a single partner to support their electrical infrastructure throughout its entire lifecycle,” said Jeff Drees, CEO of Mission Critical Group, in a statement. “Anchor Automation enhances our connected services capabilities and complements our field services organization, allowing us to deliver end-to-end solutions – from engineering and manufacturing through commissioning, remote monitoring, maintenance, and long-term lifecycle support.”
Two weeks ago, MCG announced it was merging electrical equipment supplier CORE Transformers into its integrated project platform. The companies hope to close on the merger within the next 30 days.
The move integrates CORE’s engineered-to-order transformer into Mission Critical Group’s array of electrical infrastructure solutions for customers such as manufacturing plants, data centers and grid facilities.
“Transformers are a natural extension of our integrated power solutions platform, and CORE is the ideal partner to bring that capability to MCG,” Drees said. “CORE’s deep technical expertise, strong manufacturing relationships, and proven speed of delivery will enable us to offer customers a more complete solution and an accelerated path to power.”
In early June, Mission Critical Group announced it had opened its newest manufacturing facility in Harleysville, Pennsylvania. The company’s third facility statewide expands its low-voltage switchgear production capacity to meet rising demand from artificial intelligence (AI) factories and cloud-based computing centers.
Mission Critical Group works in both behind-the-meter and grid-tied power projects for commercial and industrial customers. It is led by veterans of Daikin Applied Americas, Schneider Electric, CSS, Collins Aerospace and General Motors.
In a Microgrid Knowledge story Sept. 15, 2025, Mission Critical Group’s Chief Commercial and Innovation Officer Matt Coffel said permitting snags sometimes are delaying microgrid projects, but that the need for on-site resiliency continues to be ever more desirable for mission critical customers due to the wait on interconnection queues and other challenges.
“Resilience is the big driver – companies and communities want power they can count on during storms, heat waves or grid outages,” Coffel said. “At the same time, sustainability goals and rising energy costs are pushing more organizations to look seriously at microgrids.”
CORE already holds more than 1,000 transformer units in its ready-to-ship inventory for microgrid and other on-site power projects for data centers, renewable and distributed energy customers.
“CORE will continue to deliver the same level of service and responsiveness to its reseller and distribution customer base,” said Randall Maddox, co-founder of CORE Transformers. “The combination with MCG adds a new channel for CORE while reinforcing its commitment to the customers and partners who have driven its growth.”
Data center power demand may increase 100 GW to more than 200 GW in the U.S. by 2030, according to JLL and other research reports including BloombergNEF. New AI training models are anticipated to make up much of that new data center load.
Members of Mission Critical Group were part of the on-site engagement during the Microgrid Knowledge Conference earlier this year in Orlando. Microgrid Knowledge 2027 will be May 5-7, 2027, at the Renaissance Glendale in Arizona.