When my brother Greg and I took over Competers, our mission was clear: revolutionize damage prevention with technology. Over the years, we’ve built tools like Utilocate, a ticket management system that has become a trusted ally for utility locators, and UExcavate, which streamlines excavation workflows. We’ve always been driven by the belief that innovation in this field isn’t just about making things faster or easier - it’s about saving lives, protecting critical infrastructure, and ensuring the safety of communities.

So why did we sell Competers to Urbint? The answer lies in the bigger picture.

A Future-Ready Partnership

First, let me clarify: we weren’t actively looking for a buyer. We were fully invested in growing Competers and continuing to expand Utilocate’s reach. But when Urbint approached us, it was clear this wasn’t just another acquisition - it was an opportunity to take what we’ve built and elevate it to the next level.

Urbint’s AI-powered solutions are already transforming how companies manage risk. Their technology stack complements ours in ways we couldn’t ignore. By integrating Urbint’s predictive capabilities with Utilocate’s established systems, the potential to digitize and optimize the damage prevention process becomes almost limitless.

The Future of Damage Prevention

The damage prevention industry is evolving rapidly. What once relied heavily on manual processes is now moving toward full digitization and automation. The combination of Urbint’s AI and our software creates a powerful platform for:

• Predicting and Preventing Damage: AI can analyze patterns and risks that humans might overlook, making the process safer and more efficient.
• Scaling Solutions Across North America and Beyond: Urbint’s presence and resources allow Utilocate to reach new markets and help even more stakeholders improve their workflows.
• Empowering Locators and Contractors: With better tools at their disposal, field teams can focus on what they do best - protecting infrastructure - while letting technology handle the rest.

We believe the future of locates lies in a seamless, connected ecosystem where data flows effortlessly between stakeholders, and decisions are backed by real-time intelligence. There might not always be paint on the ground, regulations might change etc, so we want to be ready for what's to come. I'm always preaching about proactivity and this is a proactive move.

Why Urbint?

It wasn’t just about the technology. The team at Urbint shares our values and our passion for making a real difference. They understood what made Utilocate special and are committed to building on that foundation rather than tearing it down. That was a really important part for my brother and I because we want to continue to support our current customers and expand on what we offer them within Utilocate. One of the aspects that excited us most about joining Urbint is their broader focus on safety, including worker safety - a critical area that aligns with our values but isn’t yet a feature in Utilocate. Urbint's vision for the future aligned so closely with ours that it felt like a natural fit.

Yes, it’s a bit nerve-wracking to let go of something you’ve poured your heart into, but this partnership is about more than us. It’s about what we can achieve together for the industry and for the people who rely on these systems every day.

What’s Next?

For our current customers, not much will change in the short term. Utilocate will continue to be the reliable, innovative system you’ve come to know, and our commitment to support and service remains unwavering. But in the long term, this partnership opens doors to innovations we could only dream of before.

From enhanced AI-driven features to expanded reach across North America and beyond, we’re confident that this move will deliver even greater value to our users and help us scale up to offer larger companies the same level of service we've been able to provide to smaller clients. We don't want to lose that direct connection and with Urbint we won't have to.

Closing Thoughts

Selling Competers wasn’t an easy decision, but it was the right one. We’re proud of what we’ve built and even more excited about what’s ahead. The future of damage prevention is bright, and we’re thrilled to play a role in shaping it alongside Urbint.

To our customers, partners, and supporters - thank you for trusting us. The journey isn’t over; it’s just entering a new, exciting chapter.

Let’s keep building the future of damage prevention, together.