The hidden champion of the digital age: Who's powering the world's datacentres?

At first glance, you might not even notice it. It doesn't present itself to the general public, it doesn't make products you'd normally find on the shelves, and yet its technical know-how is shaping the foundations of modern digital infrastructure. Although its name remains out of the mainstream media, it has managed to nearly double its annual turnover over the past decade, which now exceeds $2.8 billion. Its technologies subtly but profoundly influence the operation of data centres, the precision of medical devices and the reliability of fibre-optic networks that link continents.

From a financial perspective, this 'invisible player' is a prime example of a company that has been going from strength to strength over the long term without much fuss. Annual earnings per share have risen more than 100% since 2021, without significant debt or wild acquisition spree. Instead of drama, it relies on discipline, quality and a very close relationship with customers who can't afford to make…