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Business News

Vermeer's 75th anniversary marks a glimpse into the future; Volvo CE to launch a new compact business unit; NAXSA and industry groups formalize alliance with OSHA; Ace Energy Infrastructure sets a record with intersect pipeline installation; and more exciting business updates!

Plastics Pipe Institute launches online course for underground infrastructure professionals

The course is based on requirements of the updated industry standard AWWA C904-22 Crosslinked Polyethylene (PEX) Pressure Tube, 1/2 Inch Through 3 Inch for Water Service, the ANSI-approved standard for PEX tubing intended to deliver potable water into homes and buildings.

McElroy awarded prestigious safety award from Oklahoma Safety Council

The Pinnacle of Safety Award is given to companies that achieve the highest levels of excellence in safety and health. Companies are judged on management commitment, safety culture, and safety performance in the areas of safety and health.

Trenchless Technology Center continues to prosper, provide industry research

(UI) — The Trenchless Technology Center (TTC) at Louisiana Tech University had another busy year and its Industry Advisory Board (IAB) again hit an all-time high in 2023. Research activities were in full swing and in-person training even came back, with forums in Boston and Houston.

Volvo CE strengthens executive management team with three senior appointments

Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) has announced several changes to its Executive Management Team (EMT) with three senior appointments designed to strengthen its global leadership and transformation journey.

REHAU achieves fourth consecutive gold certification for sewer pipe systems

(UI) — REHAU announced that it has achieved the prestigious Cradle to Cradle Certified Gold classification for its AWADUKT PP sewer pipe systems for the fourth consecutive time.

Warren Environmental set to establish roots in Georgia with relocation

(UI) — Warren Environmental and Coatings LLC, a manufacturer of proprietary epoxy products and patented application technologies, has announced its strategic relocation from Massachusetts to Georgia this fall.

Water engineering firm Carollo Engineers expands to mid-Atlantic region with new office opening

The new office, located in proximity to the firm's established locations in northern New Jersey, New York City, and Washington D.C., is poised to deliver cutting-edge water solutions tailored to meet the unique challenges of the Philadelphia Metropolitan Area and Greater Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Southern New Jersey.

PPI presents Donna Stoughton with lifetime achievement award

(UI) — The Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) presented Donna Stoughton with its Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her many years and vast contributions to the industry.

Plastic Pipes Conference Association celebrates 50th anniversary in September 2023

PPCA reports that it has one of the world’s largest databases of technical papers, starting with those presented during its first conference in the 1970s. This library includes nearly 2,000 documents, plus video recordings of recent conferences, all of which are available on its website for free.

Mastenbroek, Port Industries unveil first-ever utility trencher for North American market

The Bulldog’s compact, yet incredibly powerful design, meets the needs of utility cable and pipeline contractors.

Dycom acquires telecom contractor Bigham Cable Construction in southeast US

(UI) — Dycom Industries Inc. has announced that it acquired Bigham Cable Construction Inc. on Aug. 23. Bigham provides telecommunications construction services in the southeastern United States and generated approximately $140 million of revenue over the last twelve months.

NUCA upgrades utility job-site recording solution

NUCA-WINS is a software application allows authorized users to quickly report a variety of job-site events, such as injuries, utility strikes, employee illnesses, near misses, property damage, and safety observations in real-time, utilizing both iOS and Android devices.

Fiber Broadband Association honors industry leaders at Fiber Connect 2023

This year, Brendan O’Boyle from Preformed Line Products (PLP) won the 2023 Photon Award, and Northern Colorado Community Fiber won the 2023 Star Award. S&N Communications won the Gene Scott Education Award, and Stephen Hardy won the Fiber Lifetime Achievement Award.

Illinois American Water to upgrade Village of Broadlands water system with new acquisition

Illinois American Water plans to invest in the first year on critical infrastructure, including installation of water meters and other projects to enhance water quality and system reliability.

Oatey acquires underground pipe and disc plug distributor Lansas BV

(UI) — Oatey Co. has acquired Lansas B.V., a manufacturer and distributor of underground pipe and disc plugs based in Eijsden, Netherlands.

Fiber Broadband Association President wins 2023 Chairman’s Award for advancing fiber deployments across U.S.

Among many FBA successes to date, Gary Bolton’s leadership has expanded fiber broadband’s public policy influence, workforce development initiatives, FBA’s research library, and FBA membership—more than doubling it in less than three years.

Common Ground Alliance opens Call for Proposals for underground utilities conference

The 2024 CGA Conference & Expo, set to take place April 14-18, 2024, in Colorado Springs, Colo., is the damage prevention industry’s premier event, bringing together distinguished experts and decision-makers for a week of focused collaboration and innovation designed to address the industry’s most pressing challenges.

Duke’s Root Control and UIS join forces to enhance underground service offerings

(UI) — Duke’s Root Control Inc. acquires Underground Infrastructure Services (UIS) of Livonia, Mich., significantly expanding its wastewater and gas inspection and remediation services, including inspection and replacement for water, gas, cable, and electrical utilities.

AGA Chair sees future shaped by education, innovation

(UI) — Sitherwood, who plans to retire from Spire this December, sat down with Underground Infrastructure to discuss her career, her outlook for the natural gas industry and her work as the 2023 chair of the American Gas Association (AGA).

SUE Association to hold national subsurface utility engineering conference in September

Formed in 2018, the SUE Association has worked to educate and inform the user community about subsurface utility engineering, grow the SUE market, and promote best practices in the delivery of professional SUE services through ASCE 38-22.

Nominate now for the UI Awards

(UI) — Nominations for the second-annual Underground Infrastructure Awards (UIAs) are open. The Awards are a fantastic way to celebrate innovations and individuals that made a significant contribution to the market within the past year.

Registration open for 19th ASCE UESI/BAMI-I Utility Investigation School

(UI) — The Buried Asset Management Institute – International (BAMI-I) & the ASCE’S Utility Engineering and Surveying Institute (UESI) have teamed to conduct the 19th ASCE UESI / BAMI-I UIS School in 2023.

CommScope expands fiber optic operations, brings 250 jobs to Catawba County, North Carolina

(UI) — Telecommunications infrastructure provider CommScope plans to add 250 new jobs with a $60.3 million investment to expand its fiber-optic cable manufacturing operations in North Carolina’s Catawba County, Governor Roy Cooper said on July 25.

Oatey acquires Dutch underground pipe, disc plug manufacturer

Manufactured through a highly efficient and automated production process, Lansas plugs are high-quality, innovative and designed to meet the requirements of customers.

Aegion acquires trenchless pipe rehabilitation company to expand services

Founded in 1991, PUCC found its niche in the trenchless pipe rehabilitation industry by pioneering and promoting the “pipe bursting” method of pipe replacement in Tennessee and its seven border states.

Essential Utilities to upgrade Shenandoah water infrastructure with $12 million acquisition

Parts of the Shenandoah system’s water infrastructure date back to the 1800s. MABS currently has $5.5 million in debt, and the system deals with frequent outages and main leaks. Water loss is estimated at some 60%.

Broadband Forum, Fiber Broadband Association partner to advance fiber broadband capabilities

With a common focus on developing and educating the broadband industry on best practices, the agreement will combine the Fiber Broadband Association’s strong background and expertise in fiber advocacy, research, education, and member and community resources with Broadband Forum’s technical strengths in best practices, interoperability, certification, and standards.

BOND Civil & Utility announces new division BOND Trenchless

(UI) — BOND Civil & Utility, a wholly owned subsidiary of BOND Brothers Inc., has announced the creation of a newly formed division, BOND Trenchless. This new unit will allow BOND to expand its offerings with additional self-perform capabilities, providing a more vertically integrated value proposition to clients, such as investor-owned utilities (IOUs), gas transmission companies, power, and energy developers.

Essential Utilities acquires Union Rome Sewer system for $25.5 million

Essential plans to invest more than $12.7 million in the sewer system within the next five years to meet regulatory and environmental demands.