Power Line Holdings Announces Name Change and Strategic Acquisitions of Southeast Directional Drilling, M&M Pipeline Services and Energy Services South

IRVING, Texas, Jan. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Power Line Holdings, Inc., a portfolio company of private equity firm Energy Capital Partners and sole owner of Power Line Services, Inc., announced today its name has been changed to PLH Group, Inc. ("PLH") and the acquisition by PLH of three specialty pipeline construction and maintenance companies.

PLH, a Delaware corporation, holds all operating subsidiaries within the group, including power delivery construction and maintenance companies under Power Line Services, Inc. and companies providing pipeline construction, maintenance and engineering related services. The business operations of the various PLH operating subsidiaries will not change as a result of this name change.

Effective December 18, 2012, PLH has acquired Southeast Directional Drilling, LLC ("SEDD"), M&M Pipeline Services ("M&M"), and Energy Services South, LLC ("ESS"). The addition of SEDD, M&M, and ESS significantly expand the capabilities of PLH to provide specialty construction and related services for the North American energy pipeline and transmission market.

Headquartered in Casa Grande, Arizona, SEDD is a leading horizontal directional drilling (HDD) contractor for the midstream pipeline construction and utility industries. Utilizing proprietary drilling equipment and proven industry experience, SEDD has completed over 185 miles of HDD projects and is able to complete crossings of up to 56-inch pipe with lengths of up to 10,000 feet. M&M, located in Eupora, Mississippi, is a market leader in specialized services for the energy pipeline construction and maintenance market, including site preparation, environmental restoration, project closing, and maintenance services for the energy infrastructure market. PLH also plans to expand M&M's services to the electric transmission construction market. ESS, located in Livingston, Alabama, performs pipeline maintenance, repair and overhaul, inspection services, and pipeline installation services for pipeline owners and operators.

"These highly compelling transactions strategically diversify our service offerings, geographical footprint, and customer base," said Mark Crowson, CEO of PLH. "PLH is well positioned to exceed our clients' expectations and support the major energy infrastructure investments anticipated in North America over the next several years." The current senior management and employees of SEDD, M&M, and ESS will remain in place.

About PLH Group, Inc.

PLH is a leading provider of construction and maintenance services to the electric power delivery and pipeline industries. Its customers include many of the nation's largest utilities, regional cooperatives, renewable energy developers, commercial and industrial customers, and major oil and gas producers and midstream companies. PLH, a company started by Energy Capital Partners, holds the acquisitions of Sun Electric, TESSCO, AIR 2, Auger Services, Snelson Companies, IPS Engineering, Southeast Directional Drilling, M&M Pipeline Services, and Energy Services South. The PLH companies combined have over 2,000 employees and a fleet of over 2,000 pieces of specialized equipment, and PLH is actively seeking to expand further its service offerings and geographic footprint.

About Energy Capital Partners

Energy Capital Partners is a private equity firm with offices in Short Hills, New Jersey and San Diego, California. ECP has over $7 billion of capital commitments under management and is focused on investing in the power generation, electric transmission, midstream gas, renewable energy, oil field services and environmental services sectors of North America's energy infrastructure. The fund's management has substantial experience leading successful energy companies and energy infrastructure investments. For more information, visit www.ecpartners.com.

SOURCE PLH Group, Inc.