Business
Black Hills, NorthWestern merge to form $15.4 billion multi-state electric, gas utility
Black Hills Corp. and NorthWestern Energy will merge in a $15.4 billion all-stock deal, creating a regulated utility serving 2.1 million customers across eight states with expanded electric and natural gas infrastructure.
Western Midstream to acquire Aris Water Solutions in $1.5 billion deal
Western Midstream Partners will acquire Aris Water Solutions in a $1.5 billion cash-and-equity deal, expanding its Delaware basin produced-water network with additional pipelines, recycling capacity, and New Mexico operations. The merger is expected to close in late 2025.
Ditch Witch sells Trencor, American Augers product line to refocus on HDD growth
Ditch Witch has sold its Trencor and American Augers auger boring businesses, reinforcing its focus on horizontal directional drilling. The auger segment was acquired by Michael Byrne Manufacturing, while the Trencor buyer remains undisclosed.
Hultec expands U.S. footprint with new Houston facility
Hultec, a global manufacturer of engineered sealing solutions for water infrastructure, today announced the opening of its new U.S. manufacturing and distribution center in Spring, Texas.
Vortex promotes Chuck Parsons and Ryan Helmuth to key leadership positions
The Vortex Companies, a leading provider of trenchless water and sewer rehabilitation solutions, has promoted Chuck Parsons to Senior Vice President of Strategy and Operations, and Ryan Helmuth to Regional Vice President of its West Coast affiliate, Sancon Technologies.
30th CIGMAT conference focuses on flooding, energy and infrastructure resilience
Industry leaders, engineers and researchers gathered in Houston for the 30th CIGMAT Conference to confront challenges in energy, flooding and urban infrastructure. Key sessions spotlighted innovative solutions — from smart cement to large-scale water treatment projects — shaping the future of resilient cities.
Aqua Pennsylvania finalizes $38 million wastewater system acquisition in Beaver Falls, Pa.
Aqua Pennsylvania has completed its $37.75 million purchase of Beaver Falls’ wastewater system, serving 3,200 customers and planning $10 million in infrastructure upgrades.
Azuria, Inframark combine to form leading water solutions business
Azuria Water Solutions and Inframark are combining businesses to form a leading, independent water solutions and services platform. The merger brings anticipated revenue of more than $2 billion and more than 6,000 employees, the combination will give customers access to a leading end-to-end suite of solutions and technologies, the companies announced.
Jacobs secures multi-contract wins for O&M services
Jacobs has secured multiple contract wins and renewals for operations and maintenance (O&M) services, reinforcing its roots in the Northwest U.S. and growth in the wider water and wastewater utility O&M industry in the Western U.S.
Trenchless industry pioneer Maynard Akkerman dies at 69
Maynard Akkerman, trenchless technology pioneer and longtime president of Akkerman Inc., has died at 69. His legacy includes industry-first innovations and decades of leadership.
Seadmok Water expands water and sewer services to Michigan, Maryland
Seadmok Water expands its water and sewer services to Grand Rapids, Michigan, bringing utility infrastructure solutions to meet rising demand in both Michigan and Maryland.
CST expands Midwest footprint with Indiana underground drilling acquisition
CST Utilities expands into Indiana with its acquisition of Daystar Directional Drilling, strengthening its underground utility services across the Midwest.
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.
- HDD industry faces challenges as cities push back on fiber drilling disruptions
- 2 workers killed, 1 injured while working on sewer line in Mobile, Ala.
- Tunnel boring continues under Chesapeake Bay for $3.9 billion HRBT Expansion project
- $5.3 billion, 516-mile pipeline to connect Texas to Arizona through New Mexico
- Judge approves construction for key portion of $485 million pipeline in Larimer County, Colo.
- New products: Latest industry developments
- 31 workers rescued after LA tunnel partially collapses
- Ohio Supreme Court rules sewer line location isn’t a ‘defect’ in property dispute
- Faulconer Construction begins rock blasting for water pipeline project in Charlottesville, Va.
- $5.3 billion, 516-mile pipeline to connect Texas to Arizona through New Mexico