USG Launches as Leading Independent Provider of Water Asset Management Services

Staff Report

Tuesday, February 28th, 2023

USG Water Solutions, LLC, a leading national provider of asset management and rehabilitation services to municipal water utilities and private water companies across the U.S., today announced its new beginnings as an independent company. The launch of USG follows the acquisition of the former Veolia Advanced Solutions business by Turnspire Capital Partners LLC, a private investment firm that acquires high-quality businesses that have reached an inflection point and can benefit from a hands-on, operationally focused approach. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Headquartered in Atlanta and Perry, Georgia, USG’s offerings include maintenance services for water storage tanks, pipe networks, and concrete structures in water and wastewater plants. The Company also provides turnkey smart metering programs and a wide selection of water quality technologies to address issues such as inadequate mixing within a storage tank, insufficient levels of chlorine residual in the distribution system, and elevated levels of disinfection byproducts in distribution systems.

USG also announced that John Flaugher has been named Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Flaugher most recently was a Managing Director at IMPACT Management Consulting LLC, where he created business plans that deliver both strong investment capital and growth. He also previously served as President and Chief Operating Officer of Suez Water Advanced Solutions, a former iteration of USG’s business.

In addition to Mr. Flaugher, USG will be led by members of its current management team.

“I am thrilled to join USG as it becomes an independent company that is well positioned for long-term success,” said Mr. Flaugher. “I look forward to our partnership with Turnspire, which has a track record of collaborating with management teams to pursue a range of attractive growth opportunities and achieve their business objectives. As an independent company with Turnspire’s support, we will be more agile in how we do business, which will help us to further solidify our leadership in water asset management services while continuing to provide the highest-quality service for our valued customers. At the same time, we expect to build on our rich history of pioneering new products and services. We could not be more excited for USG’s bright future.”

Turnspire Managing Partner Ilya Koffman said, “We are thrilled to invest in this incredible business. USG pioneered the tank maintenance program over thirty years ago and has maintained its position as the pre-eminent supplier in the market while diversifying its service offering. We look forward to supporting John and USG’s talented management and employees to build on USG’s legacy to achieve operational excellence and sustainable growth.”

Utility Service Group (USG) was the original name of the business and was used from its founding in 1963 until 2017. As the business becomes an independent company, it was natural to incorporate its legacy name and to add Water Solutions to reflect its operational focus.

John Flaugher Bio

In addition to his roles with IMPACT Management Consulting and Suez Water Advanced Solutions, John Flaugher spent nearly two decades at Nalco Chemical Company, advancing to executive level roles at the global water and process solutions provider. Mr. Flaugher has also held various executive roles throughout his career including at Alcoa, Nexeo Solutions, and Merieux NutriSciences.