4CE and ELEMENT Forge Alliance to Reshape Infrastructure Engineering

GREENVILLE, S.C. – March 31, 2026 – A new strategic player has entered the engineering landscape with the launch of 4CE Engineering Group, a growth platform that today announced its foundational partnership with ELEMENT Engineering Group. The deal establishes the respected Florida-based firm, now celebrating its 20th anniversary, as the first company in 4CE’s ambitious network, signaling a significant move in the ongoing consolidation of the nation's fragmented infrastructure services industry.

Backed by private equity firm Quad-C, 4CE (pronounced "Force") aims to build a collaborative ecosystem of engineering firms to tackle complex infrastructure challenges more effectively. This initial partnership provides ELEMENT with the resources to accelerate its growth while preserving the leadership, brand, and culture it has cultivated over two decades.

A New "Force" in Engineering Platforms

Unlike a traditional acquisition model, 4CE is positioning itself as a strategic growth platform. Its mission is to unite select civil infrastructure firms, empowering them to scale, innovate, and expand their reach without losing the identity that made them successful. The strategy is led by 4CE's Founder and CEO, Wes Kingery, whose experience scaling the trenchless infrastructure firm Vortex Companies informs the new venture's playbook.

Kingery's vision for 4CE is to bridge the gaps that often exist between engineers, asset owners, contractors, and manufacturers. By creating a network of complementary capabilities, the platform intends to foster a more integrated approach to project delivery, from initial design to final construction.

"ELEMENT represents exactly the type of firm we want to partner with," said Wes Kingery in the announcement. "They have built a strong business with a great culture, trusted client relationships, and a leadership team committed to growing the company the right way. Our role is to support firms like ELEMENT with the resources and strategic backing to expand faster, pursue new opportunities, and continue building on the success they've already achieved."

The partnership is financially supported by Quad-C, a middle-market private equity firm with a history of investing in services and industrial companies. Quad-C's portfolio includes prior successful investments in the infrastructure space, notably Vortex Companies, demonstrating a familiarity with the sector and the platform-based growth model. This backing provides 4CE with the capital necessary to build its network through both organic growth and further strategic acquisitions.

ELEMENT's Next Chapter: Growth Without Losing Identity

For ELEMENT Engineering Group, the partnership marks a pivotal moment as it celebrates its 20th anniversary. Founded in 2006, the firm has become a fixture in Florida's infrastructure landscape, providing a wide range of services including transportation engineering, structures design, stormwater management, and subsurface utility engineering (SUE). It has built a strong reputation with public and private clients for delivering practical solutions to complex challenges.

This new alliance provides ELEMENT with a pathway to its next phase of growth. While the firm gains access to significant capital and strategic support, a key aspect of the deal is the preservation of its operational autonomy. The existing leadership team, led by Founder and President Derek Gil, will remain in place, and the company will continue to operate under the ELEMENT brand.

"This is an exciting moment for ELEMENT as we celebrate our 20th anniversary and look ahead to the future," stated Derek Gil. "Over the past two decades, our team has built a business we are incredibly proud of. Partnering with 4CE allows us to accelerate that growth, expand our capabilities, and continue building the business in a way that creates opportunity for our people and delivers even greater value to our clients."

This model—offering growth capital while protecting a company's culture and identity—is a powerful proposition for many successful small and mid-sized firms in the engineering sector who are seeking expansion or a succession plan without a complete buyout.

The Rising Tide of Private Equity in Infrastructure

The 4CE and ELEMENT partnership is emblematic of a larger trend reshaping the Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) industry. Private equity investment in the sector has surged, with PE firms' share of M&A activity climbing from just 12% in 2016 to nearly 40% in 2023. This influx of capital is driven by the industry's resilience, its highly fragmented nature, and the promise of stable, long-term revenue streams fueled by initiatives like the U.S. Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).

The heavy civil engineering market is composed of thousands of small to mid-sized firms, making it an ideal target for consolidation strategies. PE-backed platforms like 4CE can acquire and integrate these firms to achieve economies of scale, offer a broader range of services, and compete for larger, more complex projects.

Matt Trotta, a Principal at Quad-C, articulated the investment thesis behind the partnership. "ELEMENT has built an impressive organization over the past 20 years, and we are excited to support the company as it enters its next chapter of growth," he noted. "The firm's strong reputation, leadership, and commitment to its clients make it an ideal foundation for building a broader engineering platform."

This statement underscores the classic private equity platform strategy: acquire a strong, well-run company to serve as a base and then pursue smaller, complementary "bolt-on" acquisitions to expand its geographic footprint and service lines.

Forging a Collaborative Future for Infrastructure

At the heart of 4CE's mission is the vision of creating a more collaborative and efficient infrastructure ecosystem. By bringing together a network of specialized firms, the platform aims to break down the traditional silos that can lead to project delays and cost overruns. ELEMENT's comprehensive service offerings, from roadway design to surveying and utility coordination, provide a robust, multidisciplinary foundation for this integrated model.

The goal is to create a seamless flow of information and expertise from the earliest planning stages through project completion. For clients, this could translate into more innovative designs, faster project timelines, and better long-term performance of critical infrastructure assets like roads, bridges, and water systems.

As 4CE begins building its national network with ELEMENT as its cornerstone, the industry will be watching closely. The partnership reflects a shared commitment to smart growth that prioritizes client relationships and employee opportunities. With a strong foundation and a clear strategic vision, 4CE and ELEMENT are now positioned to not only expand their own businesses but also to champion a more integrated and effective approach to building America's future infrastructure.