National Underground Group
National Underground Group is a privately held holding company providing utility locating, subsurface utility engineering, vacuum excavation, and pipeline rehabilitation services to municipalities, utilities, engineering firms, and contractors across the United States via subsidiaries Benchmark, Accumark, and Tri-State Utilities.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1947
- HeadquartersIrvine, United States
- Headcount501–1,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What National Underground Group does
National Underground Group (legal entity NUG, Inc.) is a privately held holding company headquartered in Irvine, California that provides underground infrastructure services to utilities, municipalities, engineering firms, and contractors across the United States. Founded in 1947, the company operates 501-1,000 employees through three core subsidiaries: Benchmark (811 on-call contract locating and damage prevention, headquartered in Richmond, VA), Accumark (subsurface utility engineering field services, headquartered in Ashland, VA), and Tri-State Utilities (pipeline rehabilitation using cured-in-place-pipe trenchless lining). The company delivers services through eight disclosed office locations and a nationwide network spanning the Southeast, Mid-Atlantic, East Coast, and select Ohio/Texas markets.
The company's technology stack centers on physical subsurface detection and excavation equipment, including ground-penetrating radar (GPR), electromagnetic detection, hydrovac and air-vacuum excavation systems (3,000 PSI water pumps, Hibon 5300 SCFM vacuum blowers, 60-ft penetration, 600-ft reach), and electronic site search technologies. Deliverables are produced in AutoCAD and MicroStation formats following CI/ASCE 38-02 SUE quality level designations (A through D). Differentiated offerings include Benchmark's Single Source Damage Prevention Program, which assigns dedicated locators and supervisors per customer to deliver accuracy ratios and on-time ticket responses.
National Underground Group generates revenue primarily through B2B service contracts: recurring 811 on-call locating agreements with utility companies and municipalities, project-based private utility locating, SUE investigations for engineering firms, vacuum excavation services, and CIPP pipeline rehabilitation. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The company is led by President and CEO Jeff Kappler, with no disclosed external equity, venture capital, or private equity ownership.
National Underground Group firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- National Underground Group
- Legal name
- NUG, Inc.
- Website
- https://nationalu.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1947
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 501–1,000 employees
- Short description
- National Underground Group is a privately held holding company providing utility locating, subsurface utility engineering, vacuum excavation, and pipeline rehabilitation services to municipalities, utilities, engineering firms, and contractors across the United States via subsidiaries Benchmark, Accumark, and Tri-State Utilities.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
National Underground Group industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Underground Utility Locating and Subsurface Engineering Services
- NAICS
- Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (541360), Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services (54136)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Corrosion Inspection & Coating/CP Surveys (CUI, CP, DCVG/ACVG) (EUAEAHAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Mine Operations Contracting (Open-Pit & Underground Development, Production, Load/Haul) (IMAKAKAD), Waste & Hazardous Materials Management (incl. HazMat) (BPAHAJAK)
Keywords
Where National Underground Group is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Irvine
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices8 records
Markets served
National Underground Group business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- 811/Contract Utility Locating Services: Contract-based utility locating services provided through established 811 on-call contracts with utility companies, municipalities, and government agencies. Services include identifying and marking underground utilities before excavation projects to prevent damage.
- Private Utility Locating Services: Locating services for privately-owned utilities not covered by 811 requirements, including oil and gas pipelines, water, communication, electric, wastewater and fiber optic lines from meter to building.
- Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE): Comprehensive SUE investigations including utility designation and mapping, vacuum excavation, and GPR services for engineering firms and infrastructure project stakeholders. Deliverables provided as AutoCAD or MicroStation files.
- Vacuum Excavation Services: Hydrovac and air-vac excavation services for test hole creation, potholing, trenching, and mining support operations. Billed based on project scope and duration with equipment fleet deployment.
- Pipeline Rehabilitation Solutions: Tri-State Utilities provides turnkey pipeline rehabilitation solutions using cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) lining method for sanitary sewers and storm drains.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
National Underground Group product offering
Product offeringCore offering
National Underground Group (NUG, Inc.) provides underground infrastructure services including utility locating, Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE), vacuum excavation (hydrovac and air-vac), and ground-penetrating radar (GPR). Services are delivered through three operating brands — Benchmark (811/damage prevention locating), Accumark (SUE field services), and Tri-State Utilities (CIPP pipeline rehabilitation) — to utilities, municipalities, engineering firms, and contractors across the United States.
Product overview
National Underground Group is a holding company providing subsurface utility infrastructure services through its operating subsidiaries. The company offers a unified portfolio of utility locating and pipeline rehabilitation services, including its core Utility Locating Services featuring 811/Contract Locating and Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE), delivered through subsidiaries Benchmark (damage prevention/811 locating), Accumark (SUE field services), and Tri-State Utilities (pipeline rehabilitation/CIPP lining). The company serves municipalities, gas, telecom/fiber, electrical, water/wastewater utilities, engineering firms, construction companies, and HDD contractors using technologies including ground-penetrating radar, hydrovac systems, and vacuum excavation, with deliverables provided in AutoCAD and MicroStation formats.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Benchmark: Provides underground locating services through established 811 on-call contracts and private utility-locating services. Offers a differentiated Single Source Damage Prevention Program delivering accuracy ratios, on-time ticket responses and exceptional customer service.
- Accumark
- Tri-State Utilities
Products and services
- 811 / Contract Utility Locating Contract-based 811 utility locating services that identify and mark underground utilities prior to excavation, performed under on-call agreements for utilities, municipalities, and government agencies.
- Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) Comprehensive subsurface utility engineering investigations following CI/ASCE 38-02 quality levels (A, B, C, D), delivering precise horizontal and vertical location data for engineering firms and project owners via AutoCAD or MicroStation files.
- Vacuum Excavation Services (Hydrovac and Air-Vac) Hydrovac and air-vacuum excavation services for test hole creation, potholing, trenching, and daylighting underground utilities, capable of depths up to 60 feet and reach up to 600 feet from the truck.
- Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR) and Private Utility Locating Nondestructive GPR and electromagnetic detection services that image subsurface utilities, voids, cracks, drain fields, underground storage tanks, and non-metallic pipelines, delivered to private utility owners, engineering firms, and contractors.
- Trenchless Pipeline Rehabilitation (CIPP Lining) Turnkey trenchless pipeline rehabilitation using cured-in-place-pipe (CIPP) lining for sanitary sewers and storm drains, restoring pipe integrity without excavation.
- Cross Bore Inspection and Mapping Inspection and mapping services that identify and document cross bores — dangerous intersections between sewer lines and other buried utilities — for utilities and municipalities to mitigate safety and service risks.
Companies that use National Underground Group
Customer profileNamed customers8 records
Segments8 records
Ideal customer profiles6 records
National Underground Group technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
National Underground Group partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- ADP (Automatic Data Processing)minorNational Underground Group uses ADP's workforce management platform for employee recruitment and application processing through their careers pages. The partnership facilitates the employee hiring process but is a standard vendor relationship for HR technology services.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights4 records
National Underground Group competitors and assessment
Company assessmentOthers
- Aries Industries: Aries Industries provides pipeline inspection and rehabilitation equipment and services to water/wastewater utilities, adjacent to Tri-State Utilities' CIPP and pipeline rehabilitation offering.
Direct peers
- Ground Penetrating Radar Systems (GPRS): GPRS provides utility locating, SUE, GPR scanning, and concrete scanning nationwide using a franchise/trained-team model. Direct overlap with NUG's Accumark and Benchmark offerings on GPR-based private utility locating.
- Badger Daylighting: Badger is the largest North American hydrovac excavation services provider with a national fleet. Directly comparable to NUG's hydrovac service line for daylighting, potholing, and trenching.
- UtiliQuest: UtiliQuest (a Dycom subsidiary) provides facility locating, SUE, and damage-prevention services primarily for telecom and utility clients. Competitor to NUG in the SUE and 811 locating space, especially for fiber buildouts.
- Subsurface Solutions: Subsurface Solutions provides SUE, utility locating, and vacuum excavation across the Midwest and South. Comparable mid-sized private operator competing with NUG's Accumark and Tri-State service lines for engineering firm and municipal RFPs.
- Hydro Excavation Services: Hydro Excavation Services provides hydrovac and air-vac excavation across the Midwestern US. Direct competitor on vacuum excavation capabilities that NUG markets under its core service portfolio.
Broad incumbents
- CUES (a CUES Inc. brand): CUES manufactures pipeline inspection and rehabilitation equipment used by wastewater utilities, complementing Tri-State Utilities' CIPP rehab services. Adjacent ecosystem participant serving overlapping utility clients.
- Vermeer Corporation: Vermeer manufactures horizontal directional drills, trenchers, and vacuum excavation equipment used by HDD contractors and locating/excavation service providers. Comparable as an equipment-and-ecosystem player serving overlapping end markets.
- USIC (USIC Locating Services): USIC is the largest US utility locating firm, providing 811 on-call and private locating services nationwide. It is the most direct competitor to NUG's Benchmark subsidiary and shares the same core subscription-recurring damage-prevention business model.
Regional players
- Triad Engineering / Stuart Hunt & Associates underground locating peer group: Stuart Hunt & Associates and similar regional consulting/SUE firms offer utility locating and SUE in defined metros, competing with NUG's regional offices for engineering firm contracts.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
National Underground Group financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
National Underground Group leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
National Underground Group subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries3 records
National Underground Group funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
National Underground Group M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about National Underground Group
What does National Underground Group do?
National Underground Group (NUG, Inc.) provides underground infrastructure services including utility locating, Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE), vacuum excavation (hydrovac and air-vac), and ground-penetrating radar (GPR). Services are delivered through three operating brands — Benchmark (811/damage prevention locating), Accumark (SUE field services), and Tri-State Utilities (CIPP pipeline rehabilitation) — to utilities, municipalities, engineering firms, and contractors across the United States.
Is National Underground Group a public or private company?
National Underground Group is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was National Underground Group founded?
National Underground Group was founded in 1947. It employs 501 to 1,000 people.
Where is National Underground Group based?
National Underground Group is headquartered in Irvine, United States, in the North America region.
How does National Underground Group make money?
Five revenue lines are on record. 811/Contract Utility Locating Services are the primary driver. The others are private Utility Locating Services, subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE), vacuum Excavation Services and pipeline Rehabilitation Solutions.
Who are National Underground Group's main competitors?
Aries Industries is listed as an others. Direct peers are Ground Penetrating Radar Systems (GPRS), Badger Daylighting, UtiliQuest, Subsurface Solutions and Hydro Excavation Services. Broad incumbents are CUES (a CUES Inc. brand), Vermeer Corporation and USIC (USIC Locating Services). Triad Engineering / Stuart Hunt & Associates underground locating peer group is listed as a regional player.
Does National Underground Group have an API?
No public API is recorded for National Underground Group.
What industry is National Underground Group in?
National Underground Group's product category is Underground Utility Locating and Subsurface Engineering Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EUAEAHAF, Corrosion Inspection & Coating/CP Surveys (CUI, CP, DCVG/ACVG), with a secondary code of IMAKAKAD, Mine Operations Contracting (Open-Pit & Underground Development, Production, Load/Haul). Its NAICS code is 541360.