S01 E05 How AVK Delivers £100M+ Data Center Power Projects | Darby Thomas

What does supply chain risk look like when you’re not managing a factory or warehouse — but delivering £100M+ data center power projects with 57 generators, 40-week lead times, constrained grid access, and a shortage of skilled labour? In this episode of Inside the Chain, Matt McSharry sits down with Darby Thomas, Operations Director at AVK, to explore the project delivery side of supply chain and resource planning in one of the fastest-growing sectors in infrastructure: data centers and critical power. Darby shares how AVK has evolved from standby power into a broader power solutions business, and what it takes to manage complex, high-value generator and microgrid projects across the UK, Ireland, and mainland Europe. The conversation covers everything from supplier capacity planning and European logistics to project risk management, commercial delays, and the challenge of scaling both internal teams and external supply chains fast enough to meet demand. If you work in supply chain, operations, procurement, project management, energy infrastructure, construction, or data centers, this episode offers a practical look at how major projects are planned and delivered when timelines are tight, resources are stretched, and failure to coordinate can cost millions. In this episode, we cover: How Darby went from delivering single generators to leading £100M+ data center projects What 40-week generator lead times mean for planning, sequencing, and execution How AVK is responding to UK grid constraints and supporting customers with microgrid solutions The reality of data center expansion across Europe and the logistics challenges it creates Why supplier relationships and long-term capacity planning matter more than ever How AVK is tackling the shortage of skilled labour, PMs, and specialist contractors What project managers can teach supply chain leaders about resource risk and demand planning Why communication, transparency, and strategic forecasting are critical to flattening risk across the whole delivery chain Whether you’re responsible for operations, supply chain strategy, procurement, project execution, or workforce planning, this conversation is packed with practical lessons on scaling delivery in a market where infrastructure demand is accelerating faster than capacity. About the guest Darby Thomas is Operations Director at AVK, where he leads complex critical power and generator projects for large-scale data center developments. With years of experience in power generation and project delivery, Darby brings a front-line view of how businesses can manage growth, risk, supply chain pressure, and labour shortages in a rapidly evolving infrastructure market. Topics covered: Data centers, AVK, project management, supply chain risk, operations leadership, generator lead times, standby power, microgrids, grid constraints, critical infrastructure, labour shortages, procurement strategy, capacity planning, PMO, European logistics, construction delivery, energy infrastructure, supply chain planning, project risk, data center growth. #SupplyChain #ProjectManagement #DataCenters #Operations #Procurement #Infrastructure #Energy #Leadership #AVK #Microgrids Connect with Darby Thomas on LinkedIn:   / darby-thomas-66b16810   If this episode resonated with you, share it with someone in supply chain or operations who could use it — and subscribe so you don't miss the next one. I hope you enjoy this episode! Give it a like, share, and subscribe to not miss the content coming your way weekly. – Matt and the Inside the Chain podcast team Connect with Matthew McSharry on LinkedIn:   / matt-mcsharry-i4b   Visit the insight4business website here: www.insight4business.co.uk #InsideTheChain #MatthewMcSharry #SupplyChain #OperationsManagement #Manufacturing #Procurement #LeanSixSigma #SupplyChainManagement #BusinessTransformation #ContinuousImprovement #ManufacturingLeadership #OperationalExcellence Inside the Chain is the podcast for operations and supply chain leaders who want real conversations, not textbook theory. Hosted by Matthew McSharry — founder of insight4business and a Lean Six Sigma practitioner with over 20 years of hands-on experience across manufacturing, FMCG, and engineering — each episode brings you honest, practical insight from the people actually doing the work. From turnarounds and transformations to the everyday challenges of planning, procurement, and performance, Inside the Chain cuts through the complexity and gets back to what really drives results: people, process, and the right systems. Every guest has been in the thick of it — leading operations, fixing what's broken, and building businesses that perform. Whether you're a CEO, MD, head of supply chain, or someone who simply wants to make operations work better, this is the show for you.