Orono-based Sargent Corp. acquires Farmington civil contractor

Photo / Courtesy Sargent Corp. E.L. Vining & Son, Inc. is located at 563 Town Farm Road in Farmington.

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Orono heavy civil construction company Sargent Corp. announced Monday that it has acquired E.L. Vining & Son Inc., an earthwork and site development contractor based in Farmington.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Founded in 1956 by Everett Vining, the company’s experience in government department of transportation work, sitework, utility and landfill projects complements Sargent’s core services.

“E.L. Vining & Son’s culture mirrors our own, rooted in doing the right thing, honing our craft, and investing in people and winning in the field. We’re excited to welcome their talented team of professionals into employee-ownership and continue serving the communities of Western and Central Maine with even greater resources," said Eric Ritchie, president and CEO of Sargent.

As part of the transaction, the Farmington office and shop will remain operational as Sargent’s western Maine hub. By year's end, the company will be fully integrated into Sargent Corp., operating under the Sargent name.

Sargent told Mainebiz that 39 former E.L. Vining & Son employees have joined its team.

With a stock purchase, tenured E.L. Vining team members will receive full credit for their prior years of service, making them immediately eligible for Sargent’s employee stock ownership plan and 401(k).

All existing contracts, projects, and partnerships will continue uninterrupted. The acquisition includes Vining’s equipment fleet, office, shop and aggregate resources across twelve leased properties, expanding Sargent’s material capabilities in Maine.

“This acquisition brings together two Maine-based companies that share a deep respect for people, craftsmanship, and community,” said Ritchie.

Sargent Corp. is the state's second-largest construction company, according to the 2025 Mainebiz Book of Lists, based on revenue of $224.4 million. The company focuses on infrastructure projects in the transportation, energy, landfill and municipal sectors.

It became an ESOP in 2013, and today there are more than 600 employee owners.