Knife River expands in Wyoming through acquisition

Knife River Corp. expanded its Intermountain region footprint by acquiring the assets of McMurry Ready-Mix Co., an aggregate and ready-mixed concrete supplier based in Casper, Wyoming.

Knife River is the construction materials subsidiary of MDU Resources Group, operating in 15 states.

According to Knife River, McMurry’s estimated aggregate reserves are nearly 100 million tons, and they’re strategically positioned throughout central Wyoming – including along Interstates 25 and 80. McMurry also has a ready-mix concrete plant on the west side of Casper, complementing Knife River’s east Casper location.

Knife River’s Intermountain operations also include Cheyenne and Laramie, Wyoming, as well as locations throughout Montana and Idaho.

“We have enjoyed steady growth in central and southeastern Wyoming for 20 years, and we expect this acquisition to help us support our customers for the next 20 and well beyond,” says David Barney, Knife River president and CEO. “Casper has been a good market for us. We know and respect the McMurry team, and it is great to have their employees join Knife River.”

McMurry’s aggregate operations will do business as Knife River Materials and will continue to focus on supplying third-party customers, as well as Knife River’s own operations. The ready-mixed concrete plant and employees will join Knife River’s existing construction operations in Casper.

Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed. Knife River says this is its seventh acquisition in the last three years.

“Knife River is having another strong year, posting higher earnings through the first nine months of this year than any first three quarters in company history,” says David Goodin, president and CEO of MDU Resources. “Aggregates-rich acquisitions such as McMurry support our ongoing growth strategy, and we continue to pursue other growth opportunities at Knife River as well.”