Companies
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.
Infrastructure business roundup: New deals, leadership changes and technology updates
The latest Underground Infrastructure business roundup features major acquisitions, leadership transitions, and new initiatives from companies including Ditch Witch, VisuSewer, ADS and others shaping the underground construction industry.
Zachry expands into water infrastructure with acquisition of Crescent Constructors
Zachry Construction Corporation has agreed to acquire Plano-based Crescent Constructors, expanding its footprint in the water and wastewater infrastructure sector and strengthening its presence in one of the industry’s fastest-growing markets.
Comcast expands fiber broadband rollout with Harmonic technology
Comcast is expanding its fiber broadband network with Harmonic’s cOS platform, enabling multi-gigabit speeds, low latency, and cost-effective rollouts, including in rural communities through BEAD projects.
Blue Owl takes majority stake in Dallas-based Gigabit Fiber to fuel network expansion
Blue Owl Capital has taken a majority stake in Dallas-based Gigabit Fiber to accelerate its fiber network expansion across Texas and New Mexico, targeting data center and AI-driven demand.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
- TxDOT advances massive drainage tunnel beneath I-35 in Austin
- Glenfarne Alaska LNG targets late-2026 construction start for 807-mile pipeline project
- U.S. water reuse boom to fuel $47 billion in infrastructure spending through 2035
- $2.3 billion approved to construct 236-mile Texas-to-Gulf gas pipeline
- Major water pipe break in Puerto Rico hits over 165,000 customers
- Pennsylvania American Water launches interactive map to identify, replace lead water service lines
- Trump's tariffs drive $33 million cost increase for Cincinnati sewer project
- Utah city launches historic $70 million tunnel project using box jacking under active rail line
- Tulsa residents warned after sewer lines damaged by boring work
- Fatal trench collapse halts sewer construction in Massachusetts; two workers hospitalized