Business
UI Editor-in-Chief inducted into HDD Hall of Fame at UIC 2026
Robert Carpenter, Editor-in-Chief of Underground Infrastructure, was inducted into the HDD Hall of Fame at UIC 2026 in San Antonio, honoring decades of leadership and influence in the HDD industry.
Business People: Promotions, leadership changes and industry milestones
Executive appointments, leadership promotions and an industry remembrance highlight this month’s Business People column, featuring updates from ZamCo Directional Drilling, Volvo CE, Hyundai Construction Equipment, Oatey and the passing of Darby Equipment Company CEO Bob Darby.
Business News: Expansions, acquisitions and infrastructure investment updates
Azuria expands pipe manufacturing and acquires Caliagua, Komatsu and Volvo advance equipment investments, PPI marks 75 years, WSSC Water earns another AAA rating and EnviroVac announces a strategic merger in this month’s Business News roundup.
GES acquires Environmental Controls to expand water, wastewater infrastructure solutions
Global Environmental Solutions has acquired Environmental Controls Company, expanding its national water infrastructure platform with floating cover technologies for reservoirs, stormwater systems and water and wastewater treatment facilities.
PAA takes stake in LiquiForce to expand lateral lining across Canada
Per Aarsleff has taken an ownership stake in LiquiForce to expand lateral sewer lining and UV-cured rehabilitation services across the Canadian municipal market.
Industry veteran Robert Darby dies at 72
The Drilling Contractors Association is mourning the loss of longtime associate member and former board leader Robert Darby, who served on multiple committees and supported industry programs and scholarships throughout his career.
Ezee Fiber acquires DayNet’s 76-mile fiber network in Dayton, Texas
Ezee Fiber has acquired DayNet’s 76-mile fiber optic network in Dayton, Texas, expanding its fiber-to-the-home footprint in the Greater Houston region.
EnviroVac expands national footprint with Vecta acquisition
EnviroVac has acquired Vecta Environmental Services, expanding its national footprint and capabilities across environmental, industrial, and infrastructure services, including hydroexcavation and vacuum truck operations.
NWPX Infrastructure names new executives to lead water transmission, precast operations
NWPX Infrastructure has promoted four leaders into senior operations roles, strengthening oversight across its water transmission systems and precast infrastructure businesses as the company positions for continued growth.
Business People: Leadership moves and industry remembrance
McElroy promotes longtime HR leader Steve Caldwell to vice president of human resources, recognizing more than 15 years of workforce and safety leadership, while the underground construction industry remembers Vermeer veteran Tod Michael, a respected engineer and mentor whose career spanned nearly three decades.
Business: Latest industry news
John Deere Deere & Company entered into an agreement to acquire Tenna, a construction technology company, and a holding of The Conti Group, which offers mixed-fleet equipment operations and asset tracking solutions. Based in New Hope, Pa., Tenna offers an integrated construction technology platf..
Robert Carpenter inducted into HDD Hall of Fame at UIC 2026
Robert Carpenter, Editor-in-Chief of Underground Infrastructure, was inducted into the HDD Hall of Fame at UIC 2026 in San Antonio, honoring decades of leadership and influence in the HDD industry.
Texas Pipeline Association names Shelli Myers as chair, marking leadership milestone
Shelli Myers of WhiteWater Midstream has been elected chair of the Texas Pipeline Association, becoming the first woman to lead the nation’s largest intrastate pipeline trade group.
Avanti names Nikolas Magill president, signals leadership continuity
Avanti International has named Nikolas D. Magill as president, reinforcing leadership continuity at the trenchless and underground infrastructure technology provider.
Hyundai names Mike Ross COO to oversee North American operations
Hyundai Construction Equipment North America has promoted Mike Ross to chief operating officer, expanding his role to include oversight of daily operations and execution across the region. Ross brings more than two decades of construction equipment experience and has held multiple senior leadership roles since joining the company in 2020.
Garney expands into Pacific Northwest with acquisition of Emery & Sons
Garney has acquired Oregon-based Emery & Sons Construction Group, establishing a permanent Pacific Northwest presence and expanding its national water, wastewater and underground utility platform. The deal adds nearly six decades of regional experience in heavy civil and municipal infrastructure as Garney continues scaling its $2 billion construction portfolio.
Strategic merger unites Mi-Tech and J.D. Hair, strengthening trenchless infrastructure delivery
Mi-Tech and J.D. Hair & Associates have merged to deliver a deeper bench in trenchless and HDD engineering, backed by geotechnical labs, surveying, and construction services. With all employees retained, clients should see seamless support for pipeline replacement, sewer rehabilitation, and alternative delivery projects starting immediately.
UI Business People: Leadership moves and industry appointments
UI People highlights recent leadership appointments, executive transitions, and industry recognition across the underground infrastructure, utilities, and trenchless sectors.
UI Business News: Equipment dealers, partnerships and expansions
UI Business News highlights recent dealer acquisitions, equipment expansions, industry partnerships and technology agreements shaping the underground infrastructure and construction equipment markets.
Centuri lands nearly $500 million in new North American utility and pipeline contracts
Centuri has secured nearly $500 million in new electric, gas and telecom infrastructure awards across North America, pushing its 2025 bookings above $4.3 billion. The new contracts include major gas distribution, pipeline replacement and substation upgrade projects in the U.S. and Canada.
Toro completes $279 million acquisition of Tornado Infrastructure Equipment
The Toro Company has completed its acquisition of hydrovac equipment manufacturer Tornado Infrastructure Equipment, expanding its underground construction and vacuum excavation portfolio.
Strategic investment positions United Flow Technologies for expanded role in water infrastructure market
United Flow Technologies has received a strategic growth investment from Berkshire Partners, strengthening its nationwide water and wastewater infrastructure platform. The partnership will support expanded services, deeper technical capabilities, and continued investment in mission-critical municipal systems.
Eagle Merchant Partners invests in Atlantic Pipe Services to expand water infrastructure rehabilitation
Eagle Merchant Partners has made a strategic investment in Atlantic Pipe Services, one of Florida’s largest stormwater and wastewater inspection and rehabilitation providers. The partnership will support APS’ expansion, equipment investments and acquisitions as demand for water infrastructure maintenance grows statewide.
HDD Reunion to celebrate pioneers at 2026 Hall of Fame induction in San Antonio
The 2026 HDD Reunion will be held Jan. 28 at the Underground Infrastructure Conference in San Antonio, featuring the formal induction of the HDD Hall of Fame class and a panel discussion with industry pioneers celebrating decades of innovation in horizontal directional drilling.
UI Awards 2026 finalists announced, winners to be honored at UIC in San Antonio
Underground Infrastructure has named the 2026 UI Awards finalists across HDD, water, sewer, asset management and fiber, with MVP + UI Honors to be presented at the Underground Infrastructure Conference in San Antonio.
Jacobs sees robust infrastructure pipeline after posting strong FY25 earnings
Jacobs closed fiscal 2025 with strong revenue growth, rising margins, and a record $23.1 billion backlog driven by demand across water, energy, transportation and advanced facilities markets. The company expects continued infrastructure momentum into 2026, with higher earnings and free cash flow on the horizon.
Metro Communications to acquire Clearwave Fiber’s Southern Illinois network
Metro Communications has agreed to acquire Clearwave Fiber’s Southern Illinois network, expanding its regional footprint with more than 250,000 locations as part of a growing fiber-to-the-home and enterprise broadband portfolio.
Private equity backs trenchless rehabilitation firm in major infrastructure move
HCAP Partners has invested in Georgia-based Federal EC to expand its trenchless rehabilitation and underground utility services, supporting Crescent Peak and FVLCRUM’s acquisition and growth plans.
UIC 2026 to feature new technical sessions, awards and HDD reunion in San Antonio
The event features new educational sessions, hands-on exhibits, the combined MVP + UI Honors Awards, and the annual HDD Reunion, bringing together industry leaders, engineers, and contractors for two focused days of learning and networking. Registration is open now at UI-Conference.com.
Azuria expands rehab services with Atlantic Coast Contractors acquisition
Azuria Water Solutions has acquired North Carolina-based Atlantic Coast Contractors, a trenchless pipeline rehabilitation firm specializing in CIPP, slip lining, and water main replacement. The deal expands Azuria’s Southeast presence and strengthens its rehab service network.
- Inside Sempra’s 72-mile pipeline with 18 major trenchless crossings
- Trump vetoes bill to finish $1.3 billion Colorado water pipeline
- PHMSA warns of heat risks in aging plastic gas distribution pipelines following deadly Pennsylvania explosion
- Infrastructure failure releases 100,000 gallons of wastewater in Houston; repairs ongoing
- OSHA seeks $1.2 million fine after fatal trench collapse in Connecticut
- Worm-like robot burrows underground to cut power line installation costs
- First tunnel boring machines complete testing for Hudson Tunnel Project
- Infrastructure failure releases 100,000 gallons of wastewater in Houston; repairs ongoing
- Construction jobs stumble into 2026 after weak year
- NWPX grows water infrastructure portfolio with Colorado precast facility