Construction Partners, Inc. Acquires Platform Company in Tennessee

Rhea-AI Summary

Construction Partners Inc. (NASDAQ: ROAD) has acquired PRI of East Tennessee, Inc. and Pavement Restorations, Inc. (collectively "PRI"), expanding its infrastructure operations across Tennessee. The acquisition includes a hot-mix asphalt plant in Knoxville and specialized pavement preservation services, adding nearly 300 employees to CPI's workforce.

The combined PRI organization will be led by Jon Hargett as President and Greg Ailshie as Senior Vice President. CPI will transition management of its existing Tennessee operations, including three hot-mix asphalt plants in the Nashville metro area, to PRI. The strategic move positions CPI to capitalize on Tennessee's strong economic growth, favorable demographics, and robust transportation funding program.

Positive

• Strategic expansion across Tennessee, from Knoxville to Memphis metro area
• Addition of experienced management team with decades of industry expertise
• Integration of specialized pavement preservation capabilities to meet growing market demand
• Entry into market with strong economic growth and healthy transportation funding
• Acquisition adds nearly 300 skilled employees to workforce

Negative

• Integration costs and challenges of merging operations
• Potential execution risks in managing expanded geographic footprint

Insights

Infrastructure Industry Analyst

CPI strategically expands across Tennessee, gaining specialized pavement preservation capabilities and establishing a platform for future growth in a market with strong infrastructure funding.

This acquisition represents a significant geographic expansion for CPI in the Tennessee market, creating an east-to-west presence across the state. By acquiring PRI, Construction Partners gains one hot-mix asphalt plant in Knoxville to complement their existing three plants in the Nashville area, establishing a more comprehensive operational network.

Particularly noteworthy is the acquisition of specialized pavement preservation capabilities, which positions CPI to address the growing demand for maintenance solutions that extend roadway lifespans. This technical capability enhancement allows them to offer more comprehensive services to both public and private customers seeking to maximize their infrastructure investments.

The decision to maintain PRI's existing leadership team (Jon Hargett and Greg Ailshie) demonstrates recognition of the value of local market expertise and established relationships in the infrastructure business. These industry veterans bring decades of Tennessee-specific experience, which typically accelerates integration and preserves customer relationships.

Tennessee presents an attractive infrastructure market due to three factors explicitly mentioned in the release: economic growth driving development, favorable demographic trends increasing infrastructure demand, and a healthy transportation funding program ensuring project flow. The addition of nearly 300 employees through this acquisition significantly bolsters CPI's operational capacity across the state, enabling them to capitalize on these favorable market conditions.

M&A Strategic Analyst

This platform acquisition expands CPI's geographic reach and service capabilities while bringing experienced management to drive future Tennessee operations.

This transaction demonstrates CPI's strategic growth approach through targeted acquisitions that enhance both geographic footprint and service capabilities. By designating PRI as their "platform company" in Tennessee, Construction Partners signals this acquisition will serve as the foundation for further growth in the state, with both organic expansion and potential additional acquisitions mentioned specifically.

The integration strategy appears well-considered, with CPI planning to transition management of their pre-existing Tennessee operations to the PRI team. This approach leverages local market expertise, which is particularly valuable in infrastructure sectors where regional relationships significantly impact business success.

From a strategic perspective, the pavement preservation business adds value beyond geographic expansion. These specialized services complement CPI's construction business, enhancing their ability to meet the growing demand for solutions that protect and extend pavement life, as explicitly mentioned by CEO Fred Smith.

The consolidation creates a comprehensive presence spanning from Knoxville in eastern Tennessee to the Memphis metro area in the west. This expanded footprint positions CPI to better serve customers across the entire state while potentially capturing operational efficiencies. The acquisition aligns perfectly with CPI's self-described business model as a "vertically integrated civil infrastructure company specializing in the construction and maintenance of roadways" in the Sunbelt region.

Company Expands Infrastructure Business in Tennessee with Experienced Management Team

Adds Hot-Mix Asphalt Plant and Specialized Pavement Preservation Business

DOTHAN, Ala., May 1, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Construction Partners, Inc. (NASDAQ: ROAD) ("CPI" or the "Company"), a vertically integrated civil infrastructure company specializing in the construction and maintenance of roadways in local markets across the Sunbelt, today announced that it has acquired PRI of East Tennessee, Inc., an asphalt manufacturing and construction business headquartered in Knoxville, Tennessee, and Pavement Restorations, Inc., a pavement preservation business headquartered in Milan, Tennessee (collectively, "PRI"). From its hot-mix asphalt plant in Knoxville, PRI provides construction and paving services for a variety of public and private projects in northeastern Tennessee. PRI is also a leading asphalt repair contractor providing pavement preservation and specialized sitework services.

Fred J. (Jule) Smith, III, the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are pleased to welcome PRI and its nearly 300 employees to the CPI family of companies as our platform company in Tennessee.  With today's transaction, we now stretch the length of the state, from Knoxville in the east to the greater Memphis metro area in the west. The combined PRI organization, led by Jon Hargett as President and Greg Ailshie as Senior Vice President, will benefit from the technical expertise and visionary leadership of two industry veterans with decades of experience operating in Tennessee.  The State of Tennessee is ripe with organic and acquisitive growth opportunities, driven by strong economic growth, favorable demographic trends, and a healthy transportation funding program. We intend to transition the management of our pre-existing Tennessee operations, which include three hot-mix asphalt plants in the Nashville metro area, to PRI, and we look forward to continued success in that dynamic market. In addition, as our states, municipalities and private customers seek innovative solutions for protecting and extending the life of their pavements, PRI's specialized crews and equipment complement our current operations well and further enhance our ability to meet this growing demand as a leader in the pavement preservation industry."

About Construction Partners, Inc.

Construction Partners, Inc. is a vertically integrated civil infrastructure company operating in local markets throughout the Sunbelt in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. Supported by its hot-mix asphalt plants, aggregate facilities and liquid asphalt terminals, CPI focuses on the construction, repair and maintenance of surface infrastructure. Publicly funded projects make up the majority of its business and include local and state roadways, interstate highways, airport runways and bridges. The company also performs private sector projects that include paving and sitework for office and industrial parks, shopping centers, local businesses and residential developments. To learn more, visit www.constructionpartners.net.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained herein that are not statements of historical or current fact constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements may be identified by the use of words such as "seek" "continue," "estimate," "predict," "potential," "targeting," "could," "might," "may," "will," "expect," "should," "anticipate," "intend," "project," "outlook," "believe," "plan" and similar expressions or their negative. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, without limitation, statements relating to the benefits of a business acquisition and the expected results of the acquired business. These and other forward-looking statements are based on management's current views and assumptions and involve risks and uncertainties that could significantly affect expected results. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements are set forth in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, its Current Reports on Form 8-K and other reports the Company files with the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, subsequent events, or circumstances or other changes affecting such statements except to the extent required by applicable law.

Contact:

Rick Black / Ken Dennard
Dennard Lascar Investor Relations
ROAD@DennardLascar.com
(713) 529-6600

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SOURCE Construction Partners, Inc.

FAQ

What companies did Construction Partners (NASDAQ: ROAD) acquire in Tennessee?

Construction Partners acquired PRI of East Tennessee, Inc., an asphalt manufacturing and construction business in Knoxville, and Pavement Restorations, Inc., a pavement preservation business in Milan, Tennessee.

How many employees will be added to Construction Partners through the PRI acquisition?

The acquisition adds nearly 300 employees to Construction Partners' workforce.

Who will lead the combined PRI organization under Construction Partners?

Jon Hargett will serve as President and Greg Ailshie as Senior Vice President of the combined PRI organization.

How many asphalt plants does Construction Partners now have in Tennessee?

Construction Partners now has at least four asphalt plants in Tennessee - one in Knoxville from the PRI acquisition and three existing plants in the Nashville metro area.

What are the strategic benefits of ROAD's PRI acquisition in Tennessee?

The acquisition provides geographic expansion across Tennessee, adds specialized pavement preservation capabilities, and positions the company to capitalize on strong economic growth and transportation funding in the state.