Artificial intelligence is changing more than just the software and internet industries-it is also redefining data center infrastructure requirements.
With the accelerated application of AI Agents, cloud computing, and high-density servers, data centers are imposing higher demands for stable power supply, high-efficiency heat dissipation, and intelligent operation. Cooling systems are also evolving from traditional supporting equipment into a critical link influencing data center energy efficiency and operating costs.
Drawing on over 130 years of refrigeration engineering expertise, Dunham-Bush is using Malaysia as an important foothold to further expand its data center business and strengthen its presence in the Southeast Asian market.
The four-day MARVEX 2026 concluded recently at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. As the HVAC, mechanical ventilation, and refrigeration segment within the ENGINEER exhibition framework, this year's expo focused heavily on showcasing data center infrastructure-related technologies. Dunham-Bush showcased core products including the WCM Water-Cooled Magnetic Bearing Chiller, DB-Aire Precision Air Conditioning, and DBV Pro 6 Variable Refrigerant Flow (VRF) System, while winning the MIEAD Malaysian HVAC&R Industry Leadership Excellence Award.
From standalone exhibits to integrated technical solutions, Dunham-Bush demonstrated comprehensive capabilities ranging from core cooling equipment to system management and digital operations.
AI Agents Drive Demand Upgrades in Data Centers
As AI Agents transition from "answering questions" to "executing tasks," computing demand is extending from periodic usage to continuous, non-stop operation.
Gartner predicts that by the end of 2026, up to 40% of enterprise applications will integrate task-specific AI Agents, registering rapid growth from less than 5% in 2025. The continuous deepening of AI applications is further escalating data center requirements for high-density heat dissipation, energy efficiency, and operational reliability.
This trend is accelerating across Southeast Asia. Malaysia's data center industry continues to expand, while Thailand and Indonesia are also pushing forward investments in data centers and cloud services. For HVAC companies, data centers are becoming a vital new application scenario.
From Equipment Manufacturing to System Services
Data center requirements for cooling systems have extended beyond single-equipment performance to encompass system efficiency, operational reliability, and long-term sustainability.
Yu Baoshuang, Managing Director of Dunham-Bush Malaysia, stated that with the development of artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and high-density servers, data center thermal loads will continue to increase, requiring future cooling systems to be more efficient, reliable, and flexible. Green cooling cannot focus solely on individual equipment energy consumption; it must also comprehensively account for eco-friendly refrigerant application, system efficiency enhancement, and overall carbon footprint reduction.
To address these demands, beyond products like the WCM Water-Cooled Magnetic Bearing Chiller and DB-Aire Precision Air Conditioning, Dunham-Bush has also deployed the DCS Data Center Solution, ESS Energy Saving Solution, CPM Chiller Plant Manager, and C2C Cloud-to-Cloud Monitoring Platform to enhance equipment monitoring, system optimization, and predictive maintenance capabilities.
This signifies that competition in the HVAC industry is shifting from single equipment sales toward comprehensive technical systems integrating equipment, system architecture, and digital management.
Malaysian Manufacturing Layout for Regional Markets
In August this year, Dunham-Bush Industries Sdn. Bhd. signed a sale and purchase agreement with SPD Tech Valley Sdn. Bhd. to construct a new manufacturing facility in Senawang, Negeri Sembilan, with an estimated initial project investment of MYR 172 million.
Yu Baoshuang expressed that Dunham-Bush hopes Senawang factory will not only be a new one, but also serve as a strategic manufacturing hub serving data center markets across Malaysia and internationally. Beyond Malaysia, the company remains bullish on other Southeast Asian markets and will provide tailored technical solution based on regional climate, operating conditions, and infrastructure requirements.
The new base will further bolster Dunham-Bush's manufacturing and service capabilities in Malaysia, providing crucial support for expanding into the regional data center market.
From the technology showcase at MARVEX 2026 to the layout of the Senawangmanufacturing base, Dunham-Bush is combining its 130-plus years of refrigeration engineering experience with data center technology, digital management, and local manufacturing capabilities.
As AI and cloud computing drive continuous upgrades in computing infrastructure, data center cooling is ushering in new market potential. Malaysia, meanwhile, is becoming a vital strategic foothold connecting Dunham-Bush to the broader Southeast Asian market.
