Kentucky American Water buys two water utility systems

Key facts

• Cox Automotive acquired Fullpath to integrate customer data and AI capabilities.
• International Paper completed the $360 million acquisition of North Pacific Paper Company (NORPAC).
• Air Products expanded its Missouri facility by $70 million, creating over 70 new jobs.
• BRC Specialty Finance provided a $20 million loan to an AI data center infrastructure provider.
• Kentucky American Water acquired two water utility systems from Nexus Water Group.
• Maryland American Water is advising customers to conserve water due to drought concerns.
• American Water achieved its utility resilience goal five years ahead of schedule.
• Nippon Paint and Sherwin-Williams ended their joint pursuit of AkzoNobel after a €12.5 billion ($14.5 billion) offer was rejected.
• Watts Water Technologies was named one of Newsweek's World's Greenest Companies for 2026.
• Orbia opened a new manufacturing plant in Hermosillo, Mexico, for its Netafim business.
• The American Water Charitable Foundation named three nonprofit organizations as its 2026 Water and Environment Grantees.

A wave of acquisitions and strategic partnerships are reshaping various industries. Cox Automotive has completed its acquisition of Fullpath, aiming to integrate the company's customer data platform and AI capabilities with Cox's existing Autotrader and Kelley Blue Book data to enhance the automotive retail ecosystem. International Paper has finalized its $360 million acquisition of North Pacific Paper Company (NORPAC), a move expected to bolster its operational capabilities and market reach on the West Coast. In the energy and industrial sectors, Air Products Membrane Solutions has completed a $70 million expansion of its Missouri manufacturing and logistics center, creating over 70 new jobs driven by demand from the biogas, aerospace, and marine industries. BRC Specialty Finance has provided a $20 million senior secured term loan to an AI-driven High-Performance Computing (HPC) data center infrastructure provider, showcasing its structured capital solutions for the middle market.

Several other acquisitions signal industry consolidation and expansion. Kentucky American Water, a subsidiary of American Water Works Company, has acquired two water utility systems as part of a larger deal involving Nexus Water Group systems. Iron Oak Energy Solutions acquired all operating assets from Signal Peak Silica, marking its fourth acquisition since formation. Atmosphere Commercial Interiors, an Omni company, acquired Acre, formerly known as General Office Products, with both being Steelcase furniture dealerships. Saothair Capital Partners acquired EAM Corp. from Domtar Corporation, focusing on middle-market manufacturing and industrial companies. ASSA ABLOY acquired Sentinel Dock & Door, a Canadian commercial dock and door service company, to strengthen its market position. Aprio, a business advisory and accounting firm, acquired Waldron H. Rand & Company, P.C., expanding its Boston presence. Foundation Investment Partners (FIP) invested in Tebco of Kentucky, Inc., a truck equipment maker. Principle Health Systems acquired a strategic asset to enhance its mobile diagnostic platform. Orbia Advance Corporation, through its Precision Agriculture business Netafim, opened a new manufacturing plant in Hermosillo, Mexico, to bring production closer to farmers in North and Central America.

Beyond acquisitions, companies are focusing on sustainability, resilience, and strategic collaborations. American Water announced it achieved its utility resilience goal five years ahead of schedule using the AWWA Utility Resilience Index. Maryland American Water is urging customers to conserve water due to drought concerns and forecasts of hotter, drier summer conditions. Itron released its 2025 Corporate Sustainability Report, highlighting its role in helping utilities reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Watts Water Technologies was recognized by Newsweek as one of the World's Greenest Companies for 2026 for the second consecutive year. Barkman Concrete Ltd. partnered with Mutual Materials for Pacific Northwest expansion of its outdoor living and hardscape product lines. Daubert Cromwell will showcase its biodegradable VCI films at three industry shows in 2026.

In other corporate developments, Nippon Paint and Sherwin-Williams terminated their joint pursuit of AkzoNobel after a €12.5 billion ($14.5 billion) offer was rejected, leading to a significant drop in AkzoNobel shares. Trillium Flow Technologies, backed by First Reserve, sold its French valves operations to Framatome. Menestios Limited and Incitude Holdings agreed to merge their operational support services for digital businesses. Symetri and Egnyte partnered to enhance information access for Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) firms. Vortex Companies promoted Matthew Peterson to EVP of Products & Technologies. FlackTek appointed Dustin Becker as Director of Sales & Marketing. Georgia Power named Anthony Oni as VP of Corporate Affairs. Catalyst Acoustics Group promoted Jeremy Cantor to Group President. Oridian Capital Partners was named to Inc.'s 2026 Best Workplaces list for the second consecutive year. The American Water Charitable Foundation named its 2026 Water and Environment Grantees.