~$40MFiscal 2026 metering sales Mueller is handing to ZENNER USA
12%Watts Water's Q3 organic sales growth, led by data centers
$1.7BEssential Utilities' expected 2026 capital investment
Manufacturers
Mueller exits metering and posts a record year
Metering customers move to ZENNER USA, costing about $26M one-off for a 100-140bps margin lift. FY26 adjusted EBITDA rose 14.1% to $372.2M.
Read the full story →Data centers push Watts to a record Q3
Sales rose 19% to $728.0M, 12% organic, and full-year guidance went up. New construction is still soft, so data center volume did the work.
Read the full story →Why it matters: the listed suppliers are choosing where to grow. Mueller is giving up sales for margin; Watts is following the big technical projects.
Utility Capital
Illinois approves the American Water-Essential merger
That's four state approvals, with settlements in four more and close still due by end of Q1 2027. Essential expects about $1.7B of capex this year.
Read the full story →Why it matters: one combined buyer with more than 4.7M water and wastewater connections will carry real weight in supplier decisions next year.
Talent Insight
Exits, specs and bigger buyers
- When a manufacturer exits a product line, good specialists come to market. Meter, AMI and leak-detection suppliers that move quickly can add proven sellers and service leads.
- Data center work rewards people who get products specified early. We think applications engineers and spec sellers who work with designers and mechanical contractors are worth more right now than another bid-day quoter.
- For 2027 plans: Utility consolidation concentrates buying power. Strategic account leaders who understand how a large investor-owned utility plans and procures will be among the most valuable hires for suppliers next year.
Building a team in Waterworks?
Alex Parsons specialises in Waterworks hiring at QP Group. Talk to Alex about the market, salaries or a search.
Alex ParsonsBusiness Consultant · Waterworks