How Is Sheffield's CSH Cooling Down The Global AI Boom?

Ever noticed how your phone or laptop gets a bit warm when you’re using it a lot? Now, imagine computers thousands of times more powerful, all stacked together in a massive warehouse. These places are called data centres, and they’re the brains behind everything from your favourite streaming service to the artificial intelligence that’s changing the world. And just like your phone, they get incredibly hot. Keeping them cool is a huge job, and a company right in Sheffield is becoming a world leader in doing just that. CSH, a specialist in clever cooling systems, is seeing its business explode thanks to the AI boom. But massive growth comes with its own headaches, and CSH recently found the perfect partners in UK Export Finance (UKEF) and Dynamic Funding to help them take their Sheffield-built technology to the world.

From local experts to global players

CSH didn’t just appear overnight. The company started its journey back in 2016, originally as a general business dealing with heating and air conditioning. But they spotted a massive opportunity. As technology advanced, the need for more specialised cooling became obvious. So, they pivoted, focusing all their expertise on modular liquid cooling technology. So, what on earth is that? Basically, instead of just blowing cold air around like a massive fan, liquid cooling uses a network of pipes with special fluid to draw heat away from computer components directly. It’s a bit like the radiator in a car, but for supercomputers. It’s far more efficient and is exactly what’s needed for the powerful processors used in AI data centres. This clever shift in focus put CSH right at the centre of the global demand for advanced cooling systems, a demand that is getting bigger every day. Their technology is now a key part of the infrastructure for major tech providers around the world.

A good problem to have: too much business

By early 2024, CSH was facing a problem that many businesses dream of: they had too many orders. Companies from all over the globe wanted their cooling systems. The issue wasn’t making the products; it was paying for all the parts and materials needed to fulfil those big orders upfront. This is a classic cashflow challenge. You know the money is coming, but you need cash right now to get the work done. For a growing business, this can be a real stumbling block. Luckily, they knew where to turn for advice. They got in touch with UK Export Finance (UKEF) for a consultation. UKEF is the UK’s official export credit agency, a government body whose whole job is to help British companies sell their goods and services overseas. They provide things like financing and insurance to make sure a brilliant export opportunity isn't missed just because of a temporary money squeeze. This consultation proved to be a game-changer for the Sheffield firm.

The perfect connection leads to serious growth

After a consultation with UKEF’s local representative, Manuel Fantin, a plan was put in place. UKEF played matchmaker, referring CSH to a specialist finance provider called Dynamic Funding. They were the perfect fit. Dynamic Funding was able to quickly set up a £250,000 financing facility for CSH. Think of this financing as a super-flexible pot of money that CSH could dip into to pay its suppliers. This injection of cashflow had an immediate and massive impact. With the financial bottleneck gone, CSH was able to process an incredible £1.5 million worth of orders between April and May 2025 alone. It also meant they could confidently plan for more growth, with plans to appoint 11 new employees before the end of the year to expand their workforce. This support was vital for their export journey.

What the people in charge are saying

The success of this partnership shows what can happen when the right support is in place for innovative British businesses.

Manuel Fantin, the Export Finance Manager at UKEF who first helped CSH, commented on the wider importance of their work. He said:

“With AI rapidly becoming more entrenched in people’s day-to-day lives, we are pleased to be supporting a leading business that is playing a vital role in the development of crucial AI infrastructure around the globe, while keeping its operations firmly rooted in Yorkshire. CSH’s ambition to continue to grow its headcount as it serves an ever-increasing list of international buyers is a fantastic example of the global impact British businesses are capable of achieving.”

For CSH, the help was fundamental to their recent success. Colin Hume, a Director at CSH, explained the challenges of keeping up.

“As a business that is directly impacted by the AI revolution, scaling in a way that keeps up with demand while continuing to innovate has been a challenge. We wouldn’t have been able to build the foundation that we have done to date without the guidance from UKEF and the finance facility from Dynamic Funding. Growth opportunities have started to appear from all over the global market, and the financing we have received unlocks the door for an exciting growth journey to come.”

And Alex Kourti, Director at Dynamic Funding, shared his excitement about helping CSH succeed.

“We're delighted to have supported CSH following UKEF's introduction. By bridging cashflow challenges, we've enabled CSH to fulfil substantial orders and pursue their ambitious growth plans. Dynamic Funding is proud to support export-focused SMEs that, like CSH, are taking British innovation to the world stage.”

Going global from a Sheffield base

The story of CSH is a brilliant example of a local company making a massive global impact. An amazing 99% of their orders now come from overseas. They have already built a strong presence with clients in Europe and North America and are now seeing massive interest from multinational technology companies in Asia and the Middle East. This incredible demand is fuelling the company’s expansion right here at home. With this recent growth, CSH is now looking to almost double its workforce in Sheffield over the next year. It’s a move that secures highly skilled jobs in the region while helping to build the future of global technology from a UK base. The successful export of their advanced cooling systems is a testament to British innovation.

A bigger picture of UK export support

The support CSH received is part of a much bigger national effort. As the UK’s export credit agency, UKEF’s mission is to ensure no viable UK export fails for lack of finance or insurance. By working with partners like Dynamic Funding, they are making it easier for smaller businesses to get the flexible financing they need. The latest annual report from UKEF for 2024/25 shows just how significant this support is.

• Total new financing provided: £14.5 billion
• UK companies helped: Over 667
• UK jobs supported: Up to 70,000

These figures show a clear commitment to helping companies across the country achieve their global ambitions. For businesses like CSH, this support network, combining expert consultation, export credit, and practical financing, is what allows them to turn a brilliant idea into a world-leading product sold across the globe.