Certerra's Texas Play: Strategic Acquisition Paves Infrastructure Future

SAN MARCOS, TX – May 28, 2026 – By James Green

In a decisive move that underscores a broader strategy of national consolidation, materials engineering giant Certerra has acquired the team, trade name, and intellectual property of HP2 Engineering, a highly regarded Texas-based specialist in asphalt and flexible pavement. The acquisition, announced earlier this week, signals a significant deepening of Certerra's capabilities in one of the nation's most active and lucrative infrastructure markets.

As part of the deal, HP2’s founder, Stacy Rowh, a well-known figure in Texas pavement engineering, joins Certerra as its Vice President of Flexible Pavement Materials. This strategic absorption of specialized talent and intellectual capital is poised to reshape the competitive dynamics for engineering services across the Lone Star State, as Certerra positions itself to capture a larger share of a historic infrastructure spending surge.

A Strategic Play in a Booming Market

Certerra's move is anything but arbitrary. It comes as Texas grapples with the immense pressures of rapid population growth and economic expansion, which have strained its infrastructure to the limit. The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) recently assigned the state an overall infrastructure grade of 'C' in its 2025 Report Card, highlighting persistent needs despite some improvements. Roads, in particular, face mounting challenges from congestion in the state's sprawling metropolitan areas.

In response, the state has unleashed an unprecedented wave of investment. The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has approved a monumental $100 billion, 10-year Unified Transportation Program (UTP) to develop and maintain highways and transportation systems. This state-level commitment is further amplified by billions in federal funds flowing from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. This firehose of capital has turned Texas into a critical battleground for the nation's top engineering and construction firms.

By acquiring HP2 Engineering, Certerra is not merely expanding its footprint; it is strategically embedding deep, specialized expertise directly into this high-demand environment. The press release noted the move enhances its ability to support public and private clients, stating, “Texas continues to be a focal point for transportation and infrastructure investment, and this expansion positions Certerra to better meet growing demand with experienced leadership and targeted technical capabilities.” This positions the firm to compete for complex projects that demand innovative and durable pavement solutions capable of withstanding the state's heavy traffic loads and extreme weather.

The 'Buy-and-Build' Playbook in Action

This acquisition is a textbook example of the aggressive growth strategy Certerra has pursued since its formation in 2021. Backed by private equity firm OceanSound Partners, Certerra was created to be a national leader in the technology-enabled testing, inspection, and certification (TIC) sector. Its strategy has been one of rapid consolidation, unifying approximately 20 specialized businesses into a single, cohesive national platform.

This “buy-and-build” approach allows Certerra to maintain the local expertise and client relationships of the firms it acquires while providing the resources, technology, and geographic reach of a national corporation. The HP2 deal mirrors other strategic acquisitions, such as Southern Engineering in the Southeast and Farabaugh Engineering & Testing in the Northeast, each designed to bolt on specific technical capabilities in key regional markets.

For OceanSound Partners, the investment thesis is clear: build a scalable, one-stop-shop for critical infrastructure services. By consolidating a fragmented market of smaller, high-quality firms, Certerra aims to provide clients with a comprehensive suite of services, from geotechnical analysis and materials testing to advanced pavement design and inspection. This model is perfectly timed to capitalize on the nationwide push to modernize aging infrastructure, making Certerra an increasingly formidable player.

Acquiring Expertise, Not Just a Company

Perhaps the most critical aspect of the transaction is the integration of Stacy Rowh and her team. In the world of specialized engineering, leadership and deep-seated knowledge represent the true value. Rowh is a registered professional engineer with nearly two decades of experience, including a pivotal role as a Pavement Engineer for TxDOT's Dallas District and work with the Texas A&M Transportation Institute.

Under her leadership, HP2 Engineering developed a reputation for performance-driven solutions, specializing in pavement forensics, materials engineering, and the development of advanced pavement recycling and stabilization procedures. Rowh’s influence extends beyond her firm; she chairs the Professional Engineering Services Committee for the Texas Asphalt Pavement Association (TxAPA) and was instrumental in the recent revisions to the TxDOT Spec Book, the official manual for state road construction.

By bringing Rowh into a senior leadership role, Certerra gains not just a project manager but a respected industry authority with deep ties to state agencies and a profound understanding of the technical and political landscape of Texas infrastructure. This acquisition of human capital and intellectual property provides a competitive advantage that cannot be easily replicated and is central to the company’s long-term growth strategy.

Reshaping the Competitive Landscape

The Texas engineering market is crowded with global giants like Jacobs and HDR, national powerhouses like Terracon, and a host of strong regional firms. In this environment, Certerra's acquisition of HP2 serves as a significant market disruption. It elevates the company from a generalist provider of materials testing to a specialized authority in the high-stakes field of pavement engineering.

With HP2's expertise now in-house, Certerra can more aggressively compete for prime contracts on major TxDOT projects, offering an integrated solution that combines national-level resources with boutique-level specialization. This potent combination of scale and expertise poses a direct challenge to competitors, who must now contend with a rival that can deliver on both broad project management and highly specific technical demands.

Ultimately, this strategic move is about more than market share. It is about positioning the company at the forefront of innovation in infrastructure. As Texas continues to build the roads, bridges, and highways for its future, the demand for more sustainable, resilient, and cost-effective pavement systems will only grow. With the knowledge and leadership of the HP2 team now integrated into its national platform, Certerra has ensured it will be a central force in paving that future.