Business
Ditch Witch expands vac excavation portfolio with Tornado Infrastructure acquisition
Ditch Witch parent company Toro will acquire Tornado Infrastructure Equipment, expanding its hydrovac and vacuum excavation offerings for underground projects.
VisuSewer expands into Mid-Atlantic with MOR Construction acquisition
VisuSewer has acquired MOR Construction Services, expanding its wastewater and utility infrastructure presence into Pennsylvania, Delaware, and New Jersey. The deal strengthens VisuSewer’s Mid-Atlantic footprint and adds regional expertise to its growing national network.
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.
Denver to host 26th Utility Investigation School in December
The 26th Utility Investigation School will take place Dec. 8–12, 2025, in Denver, offering subsurface utility engineering training with hands-on fieldwork and professional development credits.
Excavation industry mourns loss of NAXSA founder and trench safety pioneer Dave Nicoli
The excavation industry is mourning the loss of Dave Nicoli, CEO of DP Nicoli and founding member of NAXSA, who passed away at age 70. Remembered as a pioneer in trench safety and shoring, Nicoli leaves behind a legacy of leadership, innovation, and a commitment to saving lives through safer excavation practices.
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.
Shenandoah acquires Nu-Pipe, expanding trenchless expertise across Southeast U.S.
Shenandoah, a leading provider of underground infrastructure services and a portfolio company of GenNx360 Capital Partners, has acquired Nu-Pipe LLC, strengthening its trenchless pipe rehabilitation capabilities across the Southeast.
Vannguard teams up with Trivest as part of growth strategy
“We are excited by the Trivest partnership and their experience in essential services and underground infrastructure, as well as their reputation for supporting founder-owned businesses,” said Vannguard CEO Randy Bern.
UIC 2026 set for San Antonio with revamped schedule, awards and expo
UIC 2026 will return to San Antonio, Texas, on Jan. 27–28, reimagined as a two-day event with expanded education, technical theaters, and networking opportunities. The Underground Infrastructure Awards will also debut alongside the UCTA MVP luncheon.
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.
Business people: Leadership moves at Bobcat, DEVELON and more
This edition of Business People highlights key executive appointments and promotions across the underground infrastructure and equipment sectors, including new leadership roles at Bobcat and DEVELON.
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.
Business news: Vermeer alliance, NAXSA safety push, PODS data upgrade, Hultec expansion
This month’s Business news highlights key industry moves, including Vermeer’s new alliance with Sharewell HDD, NAXSA’s nationwide Shore Up for Safety Week, PODS’ SCADA Link module release, Hultec’s new Texas facility, AWWA’s updated C901 standard, Hyundai’s equipment merger plans, McElroy’s congressional visit, and Bobcat’s workplace recognition.
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.
- Three Houston workers killed by hydrogen sulfide leak during sewer repair
- Trump's tariffs drive $33 million cost increase for Cincinnati sewer project
- TxDOT advances massive drainage tunnel beneath I-35 in Austin
- Funding approved for $1.3 billion, 60-mile water reuse system in southern Utah
- Is the Boring Company tunneling blind in Nashville? Experts warn rock tests fall short