New $80 million, 72,000-square-foot facility to help create 50 new jobs
MAY 21, 2026 – ST. LOUIS – On Wednesday, May 13, Azuria Water Solutions™ broke ground on a new, 72,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Batesville, Mississippi, the first plant in the United States dedicated exclusively to the production of Fusible PVC® (FPVC) Pipe. Construction on the new plant – which will create creating 50 new jobs in the region – is expected to be completed in early 2027.
More than 80 attendees, including Batesville Mayor Hal Ferrell, Azuria executives, state and local officials, and community leaders took part in the groundbreaking. Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, Panola Partnership Executive Director Joe Azar, and Azuria President & CEO Rob Tullman delivered remarks before taking photos near the planned construction site. The new $80 million facility will be built adjacent to Azuria's existing Insituform Technologies® Cured-in-Place Pipe (CIPP) manufacturing plant at 160 Corporate Drive, which has operated in Batesville since 1988 and currently employs more than 150 area residents.
To honor FPVC inventor and long-time Underground Solutions team member Tom Marti, the Azuria project team surprised Tom with the news that the road leading to the plant would be named Tom Marti Drive.
“Azuria and Insituform have been a part of the Batesville community for nearly 40 years, and this new facility is a testament to our ongoing confidence in the state of Mississippi. We are excited to expand our footprint in the region and welcome new Underground Solutions team members to the family,” said Rob Tullman.
“The recruitment of Underground Solutions is a clear reflection of our region’s strong workforce pipeline, steady economic and population growth and the ease of doing business in Panola County. This achievement highlights the power of collaboration among our economic development partners and local elected officials who worked together to bring this project across the finish line,” said Joe Azar.
Fusible PVC Pipe, the flagship product of Azuria's Underground Solutions business, combines the proven durability of traditional PVC with thermal butt-fusion joining technology to create a continuous, fully restrained, leak-free pipeline. By eliminating the joints and gaskets that are the most common points of failure in conventional systems, the product delivers superior hydraulic performance, enhanced corrosion and chemical resistance, and a life expectancy of more than 100 years. Compatible with both open-cut and trenchless installation methods, it serves water, wastewater, industrial, and power and telecommunications applications nationwide.
The Batesville facility will be the first manufacturing plant in the country focused exclusively on FPVC production, allowing Azuria to serve growing demand for large diameter pipe and to vertically integrate the delivery of its solutions to water, wastewater, and stormwater markets. The Mississippi Development Authority is supporting the project through the Mississippi Flexible Tax Incentive (MFLEX) program. Additional support has been provided by AccelerateMS, the City of Batesville, Panola County, and the Panola Partnership.
“I’m proud to welcome Underground Solutions to Batesville as the company invests in Panola County, creates good-paying jobs and helps strengthen the critical infrastructure communities rely on every day. By improving water and utility systems from the ground up, this investment will deliver long-term benefits for Mississippi families while adding even more momentum to our state’s economic success,” said Governor Reeves.
“The City of Batesville is proud to welcome this expansion,” said Mayor Hal Ferrell. “Azuria has been a cornerstone employer in our community for decades, and this groundbreaking signals a new chapter of investment and opportunity for our residents.”
About Azuria Water Solutions
Azuria is a leading provider of technology-enabled solutions for the water industry. Since 1971, the company has remained at the forefront of sustainable, cost-effective products and technologies to address aging water pipeline infrastructure. In addition, the company delivers end-to-end solutions across treatment facility operations, engineering services, and digital solutions that address costly water infrastructure challenges to thousands of customers in North America. Azuria delivers more than 1,200 products and services through streamlined procurement channels that save cities time and money. Learn more at Azuria.com.
Media Contacts
Azuria Water Solutions
Beth Kerley, Vice President, Communications