Business
Delta Utilities acquires Entergy gas systems in New Orleans, Baton Rouge
Delta Utilities has purchased Entergy’s natural-gas distribution networks in New Orleans and East Baton Rouge Parish, adding 200,000 customers and expanding its Gulf Coast footprint to 600,000 accounts.
Vermeer partners with Sharewell HDD to expand hole opener lineup
Vermeer has entered a new strategic alliance with Sharewell HDD, a recognized leader in downhole tooling, to provide contractors with a high-performance option for horizontal directional drilling (HDD) hole openers directly through Vermeer dealers.
Vortex names Pete Dannenberg as new chief revenue officer
The Vortex Companies has promoted Pete Dannenberg to the role of Chief Revenue Officer (CRO). Dannenberg's expertise spans advanced trenchless technologies, including Vortex's Schwalm robotics, UV-CIPP curing systems, and CIPP curing monitoring tools, and his leadership will be instrumental in driving the company's growth initiatives, Vortex said in a statement.
Cansel adds radiodetection MRX range for subsurface utility location
Cansel, a North American distributor of Radiodetection technologies, has added the Radio Frequency (RF) Marker Ball (MRX) range to its portfolio of subsurface locating solutions. Designed to integrate RF marker detection and utility locating into a single device, the MRX Series is engineered to increase field efficiency and enhance safety across utility workflows.
JMF Underground acquired by MPE Partners, Delphi Infrastructure Group
MPE Partners, along with its portfolio company Delphi Infrastructure Group (DIG), have acquired JMF Underground. JMF specializes in horizontal directional drilling, boring, trenching, and excavation services related to the repair and maintenance of underground electrical and natural gas infrastructure.
Azuria Water Solutions acquires BLD Services to expand pipeline rehab capabilities
Azuria Water Solutions has acquired BLD Services, the nation's largest installer of CIPP lateral liners, expanding its footprint in water pipeline rehabilitation across the Central and Eastern U.S.
Heath to divest 811 locate services to USIC, sharpen focus on emissions tech
Heath Consultants is selling its 811 locate services to USIC to focus on methane emissions detection technologies. The deal, expected to close by Q3 2025, supports Heath’s strategic pivot toward advanced leak detection and regulatory compliance tools.
Vortex partners with EBAA Iron on turnkey water main renewal system
Vortex Companies has announced a strategic partnership with EBAA Iron, a U.S. manufacturer of joint restraints for water and wastewater pipelines. The collaboration combines Vortex trenchless technologies with American manufacturing to offer a scalable, effective solution that's built entirely in the U.S.
ECI Contracting appoints Travis Vander Wert as new President
ECI Contracting has appointed Travis Vander Wert as President, effective in April 2025, the company announced this week. Vander Wert will lead ECI Contracting’s trenchless and distribution operations, taking on day-to-day leadership responsibilities. Vander Wert possesses a wealth of experience with over 25 years in the trenchless and horizontal directional drilling (HDD) industry.
Business people
New VP of sales joins IP Corp; Victaulic executive retires after 37 years; NUCA appoints interim CEO — and more leadership moves in Underground Infrastructure’s Business People column.
Arclight acquires 25% interest in Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America
ArcLight has acquired a 25% interest in Natural Gas Pipeline Company of America (NGPL), a strategic natural gas infrastructure system. As a result of the transaction, ArcLight will become the largest owner of NGPL with a 62.5% economic ownership interest, alongside its strategic partner Kinder Morgan.
Vortex acquires Foraction to expand trenchless solutions in North America
Vortex Companies on Friday announced its acquisition of Foraction, a trenchless watermain rehab contractor based in Canada. Vortex, a leader in trenchless infrastructure solutions, is continuing an aggressive growth strategy to expand its global presence and portfolio of solutions.
SiEnergy to acquire EPCOR Texas Gas for $60 million, expanding utility portfolio
SiEnergy has entered an agreement to acquire EPCOR Texas Gas for $60 million. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter of 2025. EPCOR Texas Gas’s assets include approximately 6,900 metered connections and 353 miles of pipeline that serve 12 communities northeast of Houston.
Business news
Explore the latest business moves in the underground infrastructure industry, from groundbreaking tunnel construction to dealer expansions, cutting-edge pipeline detection technology, and beyond. This month’s Business column covers major projects and acquisitions, innovation milestones, and key developments shaping the field.
UI Awards 2025: Top projects, technologies honored during Underground Infrastructure Conference
UI Awards 2025 recognized leading underground infrastructure achievements, including major sewer, fiber, water and rehabilitation projects, at the annual awards dinner during the Underground Infrastructure Conference.
Vortex acquires Prism to expand trenchless capability, service portfolio
Vortex Companies, a global leader in trenchless water and sewer infrastructure solutions, has acquired Prism Contractors & Engineers, Inc., in a strategic move that will enhance its trenchless technology applications for infrastructure across the Mid-Atlantic and Southeast U.S. regions. Prism's core service offerings include civil engineering & surveying, trenchless rehabilitation, and utility construction.
Azuria acquires three companies to expand water infrastructure capability, services
Azuria Water Solutions™, a leading provider of infrastructure maintenance, rehabilitation and technology-enabled water solutions, has announced the recent acquisition of three companies: TSW Utility Solutions, Inc., AM-Liner East, Inc., and C.K. Masonry Company, Inc.
Caterpillar names Joe Creed as next CEO; Jim Umpleby to become executive chairman
Caterpillar has named COO Joe Creed as its next CEO, succeeding Jim Umpleby, who will become executive chairman. The leadership transition takes effect May 1 as the company marks its 100th anniversary.
NUCA leadership transition underway as Doug Carlson steps down, Chris Barrett named interim CEO
The National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) announced that CEO Doug Carlson has submitted his resignation to the Board of Directors. The organization is beginning a search for a permanent replacement.
AIQ and Gulf Energy Information collaborate to further enrich ENERGYai with industry intelligence
AIQ has partnered with Gulf Energy Information to enhance its ENERGYai solution by integrating proprietary energy sector datasets, further strengthening the AI platform's ability to support digital transformation across ADNOC’s operations.
Dresser Utility Solutions acquires pipe-pulling tech firm Kobus
Dresser Utility Solutions has acquired Kobus, a U.S.- and U.K.-based provider of gas and water pipe pulling technology, in a move aimed at expanding Dresser’s infrastructure repair capabilities for utility customers.
IP Corporation names Kevin Casey VP of sales
IP Corporation has appointed Kevin Casey as vice president of sales, a new role aimed at leading commercial strategy across its portfolio of manufacturing companies, including Interplastic, HK Research, and Molding Products.
CenterPoint finalizes sale of Louisiana, Mississippi gas utilities to Bernhard
CenterPoint Energy has completed the sale of its natural gas utilities in Louisiana and Mississippi to Bernhard Capital Partners. The transfer includes 12,000 miles of pipeline and 380,000 customers, with Delta Utilities assuming operations.
Outgoing DCA president Mark Albert ‘fit right in’
AGI Construction founder Mark Albert reflects on his tenure as DCA president, emphasizing new leadership pathways, committee engagement, and the future of the natural gas pipeline industry.
Business people: Tesmec
Stay up to date with key leadership changes and industry appointments in the underground infrastructure sector. Each issue highlights professionals taking on new roles and driving innovation in the field.
Northwest Pipe opens new precast concrete pipe and manhole facility in Utah
Northwest Pipe Company has launched full-scale operations at a new precast concrete pipe and manhole facility in Salt Lake City, Utah, expanding its manufacturing capacity to support increasing regional demand. The plant is now producing and shipping reinforced concrete pipe.
Aries Industries celebrates 40 years of advancing underground infrastructure inspections
Aries Industries, a company specializing in state-of-the-art equipment for inspection and maintenance of underground infrastructure, is marking its 40th anniversary with a renewed commitment to the strong partnership culture that has fueled the company’s longevity.
PURIS acquires Creekside, expanding trenchless pipeline services
PURIS has completed its acquisition of Creekside. Creekside, through its Insight Pipe and IPC Services brands, specializes in trenchless pipeline rehabilitation services for wastewater and stormwater sewer applications through the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions.
Business News February 2025
Explore the latest business moves in the underground infrastructure industry, from groundbreaking tunnel construction to dealer expansions, cutting-edge pipeline detection technology, and beyond. This month’s Business column covers major projects and acquisitions, innovation milestones, and key developments shaping the field.
MVP celebration approaches sell-out
Houston-based underground infrastructure contractor Mark L. Boyer has been selected as the Most Valuable Professional of the underground industry for 2025. He has been serving the Texas and surrounding states’ markets for almost 40 years.
- 290-mile gas pipeline expansion proposed across Georgia, Alabama and South Carolina
- City of Albuquerque halts fiber optic construction in response to damage, complaints
- Body retrieved day after fatal trench collapse at Bakersfield, Calif., job site
- $227 million Garnet Valley water project advances, set to create 73,000 jobs in Nevada
- Pasadena, Calif., undergrounding project could take 500 years to finish
- Gehl and Mustang offer world’s largest skid loader
- Growing Pains and Gains
- Authorities investigating trench collapse that killed worker in Ashburn, Va.
- City of Albuquerque halts fiber optic construction in response to damage, complaints
- Pasadena, Calif., undergrounding project could take 500 years to finish