Messer Construction acquires EGC Construction Co.

Messer Construction Co., a Cincinnati-based commercial construction services firm, has announced it completed its acquisition of EGC Construction, an industrial contractor that specializes in design-build services, industrial manufacturing processes, and manufacturing and medical equipment installation and rigging.

Details of the acquisition were not disclosed.

EGC Construction has been in operation since 1978 and will continue to be based in Newport, Kentucky, and perform work nationally and internationally for its customers.

With the acquisition, EGC Construction becomes a wholly owned subsidiary of Messer Construction Co. and its structure changes from private ownership to an employee stock ownership plan. Jim Brunemann, who has spent the last 29 years at EGC, most recently in the role of vice president, will become president. Wayne Carlisle, EGC co-founder, will serve as an advisory board member.

“Messer’s reputation is stellar, and what I’ve always respected about them is that they care about their people,” Carlisle says in a news release. “When they approached me with a proposal to join forces and turn EGC into an employee-owned company focused on its employees, I knew the time was right to set things in motion.”

With EGC, Messer says it gains a partner that excels at industrial design-build construction and medical and industrial equipment installation, as well as access to EGC’s miscellaneous metal fabrication shop and team of 75 skilled trade professionals with expertise as electrical and millwright workers, ironworkers, pipefitters, carpenters and laborers.

“We are excited to make this investment. For us it’s all about creating opportunities for long-term career growth for EGC and Messer employees and providing additional services and value for our customers at the highest level,” says Tom Keckeis, chairman of the board for Messer Construction Co.