Over the past few weeks, members of our Industrials team attended Data Center World Power 2026 in Dallas and WEFTEC 2026 in New Orleans. While the conferences focused on different markets, both offered a firsthand look at the businesses supporting critical infrastructure. In Dallas, the focus was on powering data center growth. In New Orleans, it was on maintaining and modernizing water systems. Across both events, a common theme emerged: investment creates opportunity, but specialized capabilities and reliable execution are what turn that investment into functioning infrastructure.
Investment creates opportunity, but specialized capabilities and reliable execution are what turn that investment into functioning infrastructure.
Data Center World Power reinforced that demand for digital infrastructure is only part of the growth story. Power availability, grid interconnection, thermal management, equipment lead times, and skilled labor all influence how quickly new capacity comes online. From an M&A perspective, the more important question is not simply whether a company has data center exposure, but how it helps customers overcome those constraints. Electrical contractors executing mission-critical projects, engineers navigating complex power requirements, and service providers keeping essential systems operating each play an important role. What matters is not simply the market they serve, but the capabilities they have built within it.
WEFTEC brought a similar perspective to the water sector. Aging infrastructure, water reuse, resource recovery, and workforce development were prominent themes, alongside the growing connection between water and artificial intelligence. While new technologies drew attention, we were equally interested in the businesses putting those solutions to work. Engineering firms, specialty contractors, equipment suppliers, and aftermarket service providers bring the technical expertise and operating experience needed to maintain and improve water systems. Many have spent decades building customer relationships and developing deep knowledge of local regulatory requirements, advantages that are difficult to recreate quickly.
Together, the conferences underscored how dependent infrastructure investment is on the people and businesses responsible for executing the work. Technology can improve how work gets done, but its impact depends on skilled teams that can install, integrate, operate, and maintain it. For strategic buyers and private equity investors, that distinction matters. An attractive end market is a starting point; the real differentiation comes from a company’s specialized capabilities, customer relationships, and track record of execution.
Technology can improve how work gets done, but its impact depends on skilled teams that can install, integrate, operate, and maintain it.
From an M&A perspective, we see the greatest value in businesses that have built capabilities their customers depend on and that are difficult to replicate.
At Harbor View, we work with both business owners evaluating strategic alternatives and buyers looking to grow in these markets. Our time at Data Center World Power and WEFTEC reinforced where we see opportunity: in the contractors, engineers, and service providers delivering the critical infrastructure and capabilities needed to support continued growth across both markets.
DISCLAIMER This presentation is intended for information and discussion purposes only and does not constitute legal or professional investment advice. Statements of fact and opinions expressed are those of the participants individually and, unless expressly stated to the contrary, are not the opinion or position of Harbor View Advisors, LLC (“HVA”). The information in this presentation was compiled from sources believed to be reliable for informational purposes only. HVA does not endorse or approve, and assumes no responsibility for the content, accuracy or completeness of the information presented.
