synaforce acquires Fairbanks International Group and strengthens its European platform for sovereign cloud, open source and AI-ready infrastructures

Strategic move into open source cloud services: Fairbanks and 42on bring deep expertise in OpenStack, Kubernetes, Ceph and managed open source cloud services. 

Hofkirchen / Baarn / Zurich, 09 June 2026 – synaforce, a leading provider of premium data center and managed services, today announced the acquisition of the Dutch Fairbanks International Group, which includes Fairbanks and 42on, recognized leaders in scalable open source cloud and storage infrastructure solutions. With this step, synaforce gains an established European based centre of excellence for open source cloud infrastructure, covering OpenStack, Kubernetes, Ceph, Linux and Managed and Emergency Services for open source environments. 

The acquisition marks another decisive step in building a European platform for sovereign, secure and AI-ready IT infrastructures. Following its entry into Switzerland through the acquisition of ServerBase AG, synaforce now expands its footprint into the Netherlands, and strengthens a technologically critical field: open, scalable and controllable cloud infrastructure as a credible alternative to proprietary platform models. 

Founded in 2004, Fairbanks has grown into a technically driven organisation with a distinctive position in the global market for Managed and Emergency Services focused on open source cloud infrastructure. The company supports organisations across the full lifecycle of complex cloud environments, from design and implementation through to operations, optimisation and security. Its service portfolio spans 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 Ceph storage platform. As active members of the Ceph Foundation, the Linux Foundation, the CNCF and the OpenInfra Foundation, both companies are deeply embedded in the communities that shape the technologies they support. 

For more than a decade, Fairbanks and 42on have helped organisations design, implement and manage sustainable, innovative open infrastructures. These open infrastructures allow companies to scale their digital operations flexibly, transition from capital expenditures (CAPEX) to operating expenses (OPEX), and rapidly adopt new innovations. Through these services, the companies enable telecom operators, hosting and service providers, software developers, SaaS companies, universities, government institutions, banks and e-commerce businesses to build, support and manage open source cloud infrastructures. 

A particularly timely strength: through its managed services, Fairbanks provides VMware users a clear path to migrate their VMware infrastructures to open source cloud solutions,  including migration services, training, virtual machine migration and ongoing support. synaforce clients can directly benefit from Fairbanks’ and 42on’s many years of expertise in this field. 

What makes Fairbanks and 42on particularly compelling is their global reach combined with local depth: clients span more than 20 countries across sectors including telecommunications, hosting, government, universities, research institutions, financial services, software firms and the gamingindustry, a breadth of exposure that directly complements synaforce’s growing international client base. 

This combination of open source depth, full-service delivery and a globally recognised client portfolio makes Fairbanks International Group an ideal addition to the synaforce 360° portfolio, and a reflection of what both organisations stand for: comprehensive, reliable, high-performance IT from a single source. 

With the integration of Fairbanks International Group, synaforce sends a clear message: the Netherlands is a strategic growth market, and open source infrastructure is a strategic growth field. Already active in Germany and Switzerland, synaforce now builds a growing network of specialisedteams, technologies and services across three countries. Fairbanks and 42on bring a stable, long-standing client base and a reputation built over more than two decades. This foundation directly strengthens synaforce’s European growth strategy. 

The expanded synaforce network thus creates a powerful, internationally oriented platform: with deep local expertise, short lines of communication and full access to the synaforce portfolio of certified data centres, Managed Services and security solutions. 

In the first phase, Fairbanks and 42on will continue to operate as independent units. Their culture, teams and established client relationships remain fully intact. A phased brand integration is planned as part of a coordinated roadmap, following the same principle synaforce applied with ServerBase AG in Switzerland: preserve local strength, unlock technological synergies, scale the shared platform internationally. 

The joint development roadmap focuses on: 

• Sovereign Cloud and Private Cloud 

• OpenStack-based infrastructure platforms 

• Kubernetes and container environments 

• Ceph-based storage architectures 

• AI-ready compute and data platforms 

• Managed Services for critical IT infrastructure 

• Alternatives to proprietary cloud and virtualisation models 

• High-availability and compliance-oriented operating models 

• Support for MSPs, ISVs and IT service providers 

“We value to be a part of synaforce,” says Ruud Harmsen, founder and CEO of Fairbanks International Group. “Together we are a perfect combination of technology, strategy and culture. Because 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. For example, through our managed services, we provide VMware users a clear path to migrate their VMware infrastructure to open source cloud solutions, with aspects like migration services, training, virtual machine migration and ongoing support. synaforce clients can benefit from Fairbanks’ and 42on’s many years of expertise. I look forward to exciting times ahead for our employees, customers and communities!” 

“With Fairbanks and 42on, we are gaining not just technological know-how, but a team with deep open source DNA and a strong reputation in a market that is becoming increasingly important for digital sovereignty, AI infrastructure and European cloud strategies,” says Andreas Braidt, CEO synaforce. “Ruud and I believe that, together, we can help clients operate critical IT infrastructure in a secure, scalable, and truly independent way”. 

“Fairbanks has built a unique position in the European open cloud market over many years,” says Wout van Heeswijk, CTO at Fairbanks. “Joining synaforce opens up new opportunities to develop our expertise internationally and to support clients even more comprehensively on their path towards sovereign cloud, container and storage infrastructure.” 

Representatives of both companies are available for background conversations, expert interviews and management statements. Potential interview topics include: 

• Why OpenStack, Kubernetes and Ceph are strategically critical for European cloud sovereignty? 

• How synaforce is building a European platform for AI-ready and sovereign IT infrastructures. 

• The role of Fairbanks and 42on in synaforce’s international growth strategy. 

• Why open source infrastructures are gaining relevance for regulated industries, MSPs and software providers? 

• How integration in the Netherlands compares to the approach taken in Switzerland. 

• What the acquisition means for clients, partners and employees. 

Interview contacts: 

Ruud Harmsen, Founder & CEO, Fairbanks International Group Focus: Open source, company vision, customer value, VMware migration, communities 

Marzio Bondolfi, Head of M&A and Value Creation M&A Manager, synaforce Focus: Strategy, M&A, European platform, Data Center, Managed Cloud, AI-ready Infrastructure 

Wout van Heeswijk, CTO, Fairbanks Focus: OpenStack, Kubernetes, Ceph, Open Source, client continuity, technical roadmap 

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 the Critical Infrastructure (KRITIS) and Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) markets. 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. 

Fairbanks International Group is a Dutch specialist for 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.