Miller Pipeline Acquires A & B Trenching Co. Inc.

Miller Pipeline, one of the nation’s premier natural gas distribution, transmission pipeline and utility contractors and a wholly owned subsidiary of Vectren Corp. (NYSE:VVC), acquired A & B Trenching Co. Inc. (A&B Trenching) has announced in a strategic move to expand its markets and strengthen its position as a leader in the underground construction industry.

This transaction marks Miller Pipeline’s sixth acquisition within a 10-year time period and reinforces the company’s geographic resources encompassing 26 states and 23 locations.

N.C.-based A & B Trenching has been in operation since 1985 as a specialty contractor focusing on distribution pipeline construction and maintenance, directional boring and fabrication services. The company employs about 200 people and serves utility companies in three states in the southeastern United States.

“This acquisition provides Miller with the opportunity to expand existing customer relationships and develop long term relationships with new customers,” said Miller Pipeline CEO Doug Banning. “A & B Trenching’s culture is similar to that of Miller Pipeline’s. Both share a culture which values their employees, safety, quality of services, integrity in management and superior customer satisfaction. With our shared commitment to these values, we will focus on providing comprehensive solutions to address the nation’s critical pipeline infrastructure problems.”

Following the acquisition, A & B Trenching will assume the Miller Pipeline name.

“This is a great opportunity to grow our business; we hope to expand our service footprint to include new customers in and around the Carolinas,’” stated A&B Trenching president Scott Allen, who will remain a key member of Miller Pipeline’s management team. “The full integration of the two companies will take place over the next few weeks. Our customers will continue to receive the same high-quality service they have come to expect.”