Last week, the utility and infrastructure community converged in Louisville, KY for The Utility Expo 2025 —North America’s largest trade event dedicated to electric, telecom, water, gas, and wastewater sectors. Spanning 1.5M+ square feet across the Kentucky Exposition Center, the show hosted 1K+ exhibitors and 22K+ attendees from across the globe. It served as a rare opportunity for contractors, engineers, and utility leaders to climb into equipment, test emerging technologies, and experience the industry’s next generation of innovative industrial solutions.
This tradeshow offered a firsthand look at OEMs, distributors & operators, and technologies shaping the utility sector’s future. The sheer scale and diversity of exhibitors, from underground technology providers and fiber network contractors to electric fleet manufacturers and equipment distributors, illustrated how the industry continues to evolve beyond traditional field services. Most impressively, displays showcased more than advanced machinery, rather integrated systems that blend hardware, software, and data to improve operational safety and productivity.
Conversations and demonstrations throughout the show made it clear to us that the industry is undergoing meaningful change. Digitalization, automation, and electrification were recurring themes as companies work to modernize aging systems and strengthen critical infrastructure. We also noticed a strong emphasis on workforce efficiency. Contractors and operators alike are tackling labor shortages through smarter equipment, remote diagnostics, and better use of data. These trends highlight how innovation and vertical integration are becoming key advantages for companies looking to compete and grow in the next generation of utility services.
From an M&A standpoint, the utility industry’s trajectory remains highly attractive. Strategic acquirers continue to pursue scale and diversification while private equity sponsors are seeking to deploy capital into platform investments. Our Industrials team at Harbor View closed two transactions in the utility sector the second half of 2025, and we optimistically predict a continued, favorable M&A market heading into 2026.
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.
