Whitaker Construction Company, a Utah-based ESOP company, has acquired Das-co of Idaho, Inc.

"For us, Das-co is a new market, specializing in similar underground utility services of natural gas and telecommunication construction, allowing for additional growth opportunities in the sewer, water and heavy civil segments," said Mike Whitaker, President of Whitaker Construction. "It's also a chance to grow our ESOP and help a company that was looking to transition to employee-ownership."

The shift to employee-ownership was what made the deal attractive to Das-co, said Jeff Dancer, President of Das-co of Idaho, Inc. He had been researching ESOPs when he met Whitaker.

"Becoming an ESOP allows us to have an owner, if not multiple owners, of the company out on every project dealing with our customers and the community on a daily basis," Dancer said.

After that chance meeting, Whitaker and Dancer said it made sense to join forces. They shared similar values, culture and business goals and had similar family-run roots. Both companies have a history of deep commitment to the customers they serve.

"There's not only pride and motivation in employee-ownership," Whitaker said, "but work can be completed at a higher level of quality and efficiency because we can share specialized equipment, experienced project planning teams and professional work crews."