HOUSTON – Orion Group Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: ORN), a leading specialty construction company, announced that it has acquired J. E. McAmis, Inc. and JEM Marine Leasing LLC for approximately $60 million, net of cash acquired. The deal is expected to significantly enhance Orion’s heavy marine construction footprint, particularly in jetty and breakwater work across the Pacific Northwest and other coastal markets.
Founded in 1973, J.E. McAmis has built a reputation for delivering complex marine construction projects in demanding environments. The company performs jetty and breakwater construction, dredging, environmental restoration, and dam and spillway projects. Its operations span Washington, Oregon, Canada, Florida, Alaska and Hawaii, supported by long-standing relationships with the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
JEM brings a $1.4 billion pipeline of opportunities and marine and real estate assets valued at $34 million. Orion said the acquisition will be accretive to adjusted EBITDA and margins in 2026 and strengthens its fleet with strategic Jones Act-compliant vessels.
“We are very pleased to welcome the J.E. McAmis team to Orion,” said Travis Boone, President and Chief Executive Officer of Orion. “Known for their outstanding safety record, on-time performance, and healthy margins, McAmis has excellent cultural alignment with Orion. The combination of our two companies provides increased scale and capacity by adding a highly skilled workforce, strategic marine equipment and real estate, and new capabilities to serve customers across a broader set of opportunities. This acquisition reflects the disciplined execution of our strategy to be the premier marine construction contractor in attractive end markets delivering long-term shareholder value.”
“We are proud of what our J.E. McAmis team has built and we believe Orion is the right company to carry that legacy forward. Their scale, capabilities, and commitment to predictable excellence create a strong platform for our people and customers, and we believe this combination positions the business for sustainable long-term growth,” said John McAmis, President of J.E. McAmis, Inc.
.jpg)
The transaction advances Orion’s long-term growth strategy at a time when federal and state infrastructure programs are generating record demand for coastal resilience and port modernization. Company officials noted that McAmis’ expertise in breakwaters and jetties complements Orion’s existing dredging and marine infrastructure services, allowing the combined firm to pursue larger and more technically challenging contracts.
Orion expects to leverage McAmis’ West Coast presence to compete for Department of Defense and Army Corps projects tied to shoreline protection, navigation channel improvements and climate-driven coastal upgrades. The expanded equipment fleet and real estate holdings are also expected to reduce reliance on third-party rentals and improve project margins.
Purchase consideration includes $46 million in cash funded through Orion’s credit facility, a $12 million five-year subordinated note at 6% interest, and $2 million in Orion common stock. Additional contingent payments could reach $10 million based on backlog profits plus 40% of profit on select near-term pursuits.
Orion said it will provide full 2026 financial guidance alongside its 2025 fourth-quarter earnings release. Oppenheimer & Co. and D.A. Davidson served as M&A advisors, with Jones Walker LLP as legal counsel.
Orion will host a conference call to discuss the acquisition at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time/9:00 a.m. Central Time on Wednesday, February 4, 2026. To participate, please call (844) 481-2994 and ask for the Orion Group Holdings Conference Call. A live audio webcast will be available on the Investor Relations section of Orion’s website.
Originally reported by Orion Group Holdings, Inc. in Globe News Wire.
.png)
