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Sustainability and Innovation in the Data Center Industry: Insights from Rob Ussher

In this episode of Straight Outta Crumpton, host Greg Crumpton speaks with Rob Ussher, co-owner and Director of Sales at Hanley Automation, about sustainability and innovation in the data center industry. The conversation covers how COVID-19 reshaped business operations, the growing emphasis on energy efficiency, and evolving strategies for sustainable data center management. Human elements such as team dynamics and customer relationships are also explored alongside technical advancements.

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By Vince Holland · · Data Center IndustryGreg CrumptonHanley AutomationRob Ussher
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Key takeaways

01

COVID-19 accelerated transformation in data center business operations and industry adaptations.

02

Energy efficiency and sustainable practices are increasingly central to data center strategy.

03

Strong team dynamics and customer relationships remain critical alongside technical innovation.

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The data center industry has undergone significant transformation in recent years, spurred by the challenges of COVID-19 and an intensified focus on sustainable practices. These shifts have prompted innovations in energy efficiency and new strategies in business operations, reshaping how data centers address both technological demands and environmental responsibilities.

In this episode of Straight Outta Crumpton, host Greg Crumpton engages with Rob Ussher, the co-owner and Director of Sales for Hanley Automation, to explore recent shifts and innovations within the data center industry. This discussion unfolds in the context of evolving business strategies post-COVID and the increasing importance of sustainable practices in data centers.

Rob Ussher shares his journey and the transformative strategies at Hanley Automation, focusing on the impacts of COVID-19 on business operations and industry adaptations. The conversation delves into the technical aspects of data centers, including energy efficiency and sustainability, while also touching on the human elements of business—team dynamics, customer relationships, and adapting to new market realities.

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About the Experts

VH
Vince Holland

Host, Straight Outta Crumpton

Vince Holland is associated with Straight Outta Crumpton, a MarketScale podcast hosted by Greg Crumpton that explores networking and professional relationships in business services. The show features conversations with industry influencers across sectors including data centers, skilled trades, and engineering. Greg Crumpton, the primary host, built his career around the mantra that relationships drive business.

RU
Rob Ussher

Co-owner and Director of Sales

Hanley Automation

Rob Ussher is co-owner and Director of Sales at Hanley Automation, a company specializing in automation solutions for the data center industry. He has been involved in navigating the business and operational shifts brought on by COVID-19 and has focused on energy efficiency and sustainable practices within data center operations.

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GC
Greg Crumpton

Host

Straight Outta Crumpton

Greg Crumpton is the host of Straight Outta Crumpton on MarketScale, a weekly podcast focused on the art of networking and professional relationship-building in business services. He engages with industry influencers to explore how relationships drive business growth and success.

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Greg Crumpton
Greg Crumpton

VP of Safety and Industry Liaison

ServiceLogic

Greg Crumpton is ServiceLogic’s Vice President of Safety and Industry Liaison. His work spans environmental health and safety and the mechanical systems that keep critical facilities running. Before joining ServiceLogic in 2014, he founded AirTight Mechanical in 1999 and built its business serving mission-critical facilities in the Carolinas. Earlier roles at McKenney’s took him through sales, project management and divisional leadership. On Straight Outta Crumpton, Greg gets into how people learned the work: the first invitation, the person who taught them and the decisions that followed. He remembers learning to solder as a child and keeping a black notebook of ideas before starting his company. In a separate conversation about making content, he recalls a trip to Guatemala where an unexpected invitation took him beyond his hotel.

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