OneQode, Hitachi Vantara & Cylix Form Strategic Alliance to Launch Sovereign AI Factory Initiative

Multimillion-dollar alliance to deploy sovereign-ready AI infrastructure across key global markets, with Australia, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore among the first

BRISBANE, Australia, April 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- OneQode, in collaboration with Hitachi Vantara, the data storage, infrastructure and hybrid cloud management subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd. (TSE: 6501), and Cylix Applied Intelligence, today announced a Sovereign AI Factory initiative, a strategic alliance to deploy sovereign AI infrastructure across key global markets.

Australia, Japan, Malaysia and Singapore are among the first markets selected for the initial phase, while the United States is targeted for future expansion. The initiative will enable governments and enterprises to deploy advanced AI capabilities while maintaining full control over data, infrastructure, and regulatory compliance.

Each partner contributes a key capability to this architecture:

• OneQode delivers energy, facilities, telecoms and compute infrastructure - performance GPU compute, connected by their low-latency global backbone.
• Hitachi Vantara brings Hitachi iQ, a validated AI infrastructure platform that integrates accelerated compute, networking and storage to keep data close to where it's processed.
• Cylix Applied Intelligence architects and operates the AI layer on top, from readiness assessments and RAG deployments through to fully managed production AI services.

What the partners are saying

"We're genuinely excited to be working with Hitachi Vantara and Cylix on this," said Matt Shearing, CEO, OneQode. "We cut our teeth on gaming and financial services, building infrastructure for firms where microseconds matter. It's given us a particular way of thinking about compute, networking and data centre operations, and there's real demand across the Global South for sovereign AI infrastructure built to that standard, and this alliance lets us deliver it."

"More than half of the enterprise tenders we're seeing in Australia now specify sovereign-capable solutions," said Nathan Knight, Vice President and Managing Director, Australia and New Zealand, Hitachi Vantara. "Boards and management teams are now treating data sovereignty as a critical requirement alongside operational resilience and security. In the event of foreign ownership, control and intervention, the impact on critical infrastructure and intellectual property would be catastrophic. We applaud OneQode's decision to make Australia one of the first locations for its Sovereign AI Factory network, and we're committed to supporting that ambition with infrastructure that meets the standard these workloads demand."

"Sovereign AI requires more than infrastructure; it requires the ability to operationalize AI at scale. At Cylix, we design and deploy Sovereign AI Factory architectures and deliver fully managed AI services on top of OneQode's sovereign infrastructure and Hitachi iQ platforms. This allows organizations to move from concept to production quickly, while maintaining full control over their data, compliance, and operational environment. Our role is to ensure AI workloads are not just deployed, but continuously optimized, governed, and delivering real business value," said Ross DiStefano, Senior Vice President, HPC&AI, Cylix Applied Intelligence.

Together, the three companies are building a turnkey sovereign AI platform — one that lets organisations train and deploy AI models securely, keep sensitive data within their own jurisdiction, and scale with confidence.

About OneQode

OneQode is a global provider of mission-critical digital infrastructure. The company operates an integrated technology stack spanning energy, facilities, network, and high-performance compute – enabling governments, enterprises, and financial institutions to run AI and latency-critical workloads at scale across Asia-Pacific and key global markets. Learn more at oneqode.com.

About Cylix Applied Intelligence

Cylix Applied Intelligence (Cylix Solutions) is a global AI solutions firm that helps organizations move from concept to deployment. Through structured AI use case assessments and workshops, Cylix identifies high-impact opportunities that deliver measurable ROI. Cylix provides end-to-end AI strategy, development, infrastructure expertise, and managed AI services to accelerate enterprise AI adoption worldwide. Learn more at cylixsolutions.com or contact info@cylixsolutions.com.

About Hitachi Vantara

Hitachi Vantara is transforming the way data fuels innovation. A wholly owned subsidiary of Hitachi Ltd., Hitachi Vantara provides the data foundation the world's leading innovators rely on. Through data storage, infrastructure systems, cloud management and digital expertise, the company helps customers build the foundation for sustainable business growth. To learn more, visit hitachivantara.com.

About Hitachi, Ltd.

Through its Social Innovation Business (SIB) that brings together IT, OT (Operational Technology) and products, Hitachi contributes to a harmonized society where the environment, wellbeing, and economic growth are in balance. Hitachi operates globally in four sectors — Digital Systems & Services, Energy, Mobility, and Connective Industries — and the Strategic SIB Business Unit for new growth businesses. With Lumada at its core, Hitachi generates value from integrating data, technology and domain knowledge to solve customer and social challenges.

HITACHI is a trademark or registered trademark of Hitachi, Ltd. All other trademarks, service marks, and company names are properties of their respective owners.

** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **

OneQode, Hitachi Vantara & Cylix Form Strategic Alliance to Launch Sovereign AI Factory Initiative

SYDNEY, April 8, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Argon & Co, the global management consultancy specialising in operations strategy and transformation, is evolving its delivery model to embed data, digital capability and AI into end-to-end transformation, as organisations face increasing pressure to drive productivity, resilience and operational performance.

As organisations face increasing complexity, disruption and pressure to do more with less, there is a shift away from prioritising standalone digital initiatives towards more integrated transformation across operations. In response, Argon & Co is advancing its new unified approach, which combines deep operational expertise with cutting-edge technology, data and digital capability, along with a new model of partner to deliver faster, smarter, more sustainable outcomes that support long-term business growth.

Paul Eastwood, Managing Partner at Argon & Co, said the shift reflects a fundamental change in how transformation is being delivered across industries.

"We're seeing a clear shift in what clients expect from transformation. It's no longer about strategy or technology in isolation. Today, it's about how you bring those together to deliver measurable operational outcomes. Increasingly, AI is acting as a fourth dimension, augmenting people, process and systems to drive better decisions and performance," Eastwood said.

"Our focus is on embedding, data, digital capability and advanced technologies into the heart of operations, whether that's in manufacturing, procurement or capital investment. That's what enables organisations to unlock productivity, build resilience and create lasting value."

As part of its continued expansion and increasing client demand, Argon & Co has promoted Oliver North, Warren Proctor, Evert Westerhof and Felix Kong to Partner, recognising their roles in delivering digitally enabled end-to-end transformation. This new generation of partner sits at the forefront of the delivery model shift, leading the digitisation of Argon & Co's core service offerings and applying new capabilities for clients.

A key example of the shift is MODE (Manufacturing Operations Design & Excellence), Argon & Co's proprietary optimsation framework, digitally enabled with RedZone's connect workforce app. Led by Warren Proctor, MODE brings together operational excellence, enhanced front-line capabilities and digital enablement to deliver real-time performance improvement on the factory floor. With growing demand, the solution is now being scaled across clients, unlocking significant productivity gains that are measurable and sustainable.

In manufacturing and capital investment, Evert Westerhof is strengthening Argon & Co's capability to link operational performance with capital strategy, ensuring organisations take a disciplined, value-driven approach to investment. This helps clients balance cost, risk, and long-term value in increasingly complex production environments, where capital decisions must be closely aligned to operational outcomes.

One of Argon & Co's fastest growing service offerings is in procurement, where Felix Kong is driving a new wave of AI-enabled transformation. Working closely with Argon & Co's IRIS product team, he has helped develop and deploy intelligent procurement solutions that move beyond traditional cost reduction. These innovations leverage advanced analytics and AI to optimise spend, strengthen supplier strategies, and build resilience, enabling procurement to operate as a strategic engine for growth and value creation and competitive advantage.

Bringing these capabilities together, Oliver North is leading end-to-end transformation programs that connect strategy, technology and operations across the value chain. His work ensures AI decisions are Business led and the value understood, allowing organisations to move from isolated improvements to long-term enterprise-wide impact.

"Our new leaders collectively represent a more connected, technology-enabled approach to transformation. They combine deep operational expertise and practical solutions with AI capability to deliver better outcomes for our clients," Eastwood said.

"From AI-enabled procurement and digitally driven manufacturing, to ensuring capital delivers the return it should, they are helping organisations respond to the realities of a rapidly changing operating environment and the need to shift the productivity dial in Australia."

The appointments reinforce Argon & Co's continued investment in the capabilities that matter most to clients, with a strong focus on manufacturing and procurement, alongside the accelerated integration of digital and advanced technologies into every aspect of delivery.

About Argon & Co

Argon & Co is a global management consultancy that specialises in operations strategy and transformation. Its expertise spans supply chain planning, manufacturing, logistics, procurement, finance, and shared services, working together with clients to transform their businesses and generate real change. Its people are engaging to work with and trusted by clients to get the job done.

Argon & Co has 17 offices across Europe, Australasia, America, Asia and the Middle East.

For more information, please visit: www.argonandco.com/en/

** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **

Argon & Co Advances AI-Enabled Business Transformation Model, Promotes Four New Partners