The Daily Dig
PURIS, LLC has completed its acquisition of Amici Engineering Contractors, a Florida-based underground water and utility infrastructure contractor. The deal was announced August 7, 2026. Amici brings expertise in complex pipeline construction, horizontal directional drilling, and rehabilitation work on potable water, wastewater, and stormwater systems. PURIS is a portfolio company of investment affiliates tied to J.F. Lehman & Company, a private equity and credit firm focused on aerospace, defense, government, maritime, environmental, and infrastructure sectors.
Amici was founded in 2019 and operates out of offices in Zephyrhills and Miami. The company works throughout Florida and was co-founded by Juan Barreneche, Nelson Liberti, and Christopher Lazzari. It has built its reputation on an engineering-led approach to underground infrastructure work. PURIS leadership pointed to that engineering focus and self-perform capability as a direct fit for its existing platform.
PURIS CEO Mick Fegan said the acquisition expands the range of solutions the combined company can offer its customer base. Barreneche echoed that outlook, saying PURIS' national reach and technology base would support Amici's continued growth in its next chapter.
Kevin Vallès, Managing Director at J.F. Lehman & Company, framed the deal as part of a broader push to build out PURIS' water infrastructure platform. That growth strategy combines disciplined acquisitions with organic expansion. A&O Shearman represented PURIS and J.F. Lehman & Company on the transaction, while Akerman LLP represented Amici.
Snapshot:
Acquirer: PURIS, LLC
Acquired Company: Amici Engineering Contractors, LLC
Parent/Investor: J.F. Lehman & Company (JFLCO)
Announcement Date: August 7, 2026
Amici Founded: 2019
Amici Locations: Zephyrhills, FL and Miami, FL
Amici Service Area: Statewide, Florida
Amici Scope: Underground water/utility infrastructure, pipeline construction, horizontal directional drilling, ancillary rehabilitation services
Amici Sectors Served: Potable water, wastewater, stormwater
Amici Co-Founders: Juan Barreneche, Nelson Liberti, Christopher Lazzari
PURIS HQ: The Woodlands, TX
PURIS Core Capabilities: CIPP, pipe bursting, geopolymer spray lining, CompressionFit® HDPE lining, horizontal directional drilling, lead service line replacement
Legal Counsel (PURIS/JFLCO): A&O Shearman
Legal Counsel (Amici): Akerman LLP
JFLCO Founded: 1992
JFLCO AUM: $9 billion+
JFLCO Offices: New York, Washington, D.C.
TheJobWalk Thoughts
The strategic logic here is complementary technology, not overlap. Amici's engineering-led, self-perform strengths in pipeline construction and HDD sit alongside PURIS' existing trenchless rehabilitation toolkit rather than duplicating it. For GCs and owners in Florida, that points toward a broader menu of solutions available from one relationship.
For independent underground utility contractors competing with Amici in Florida, the shift to watch is ownership, not capacity claims. Amici is now part of a larger platform with stated growth ambitions, backed by a firm actively pursuing acquisitions across the sector. What that means for pricing, hiring, or bid volume in the near term isn't spelled out in the announcement, but it's worth tracking over the next several quarters.
Subs and suppliers who work with Amici should keep an eye on how the company operates post-close. Founder-led firms absorbed into multi-state platforms often see shifts in leadership involvement, project selection, or growth pace within the first year. The relationships built with Amici's founding team remain the most reliable read on how the company will run day to day.
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