Willdan Group

Sales hit about 215 million dollars this quarter, up 18 percent from a year ago. The energy side of the business, which helps utilities upgrade the grid, grew even faster at 19 percent and now brings in about 185 million dollars. AI data centers, electric cars, and extreme weather are all pushing utilities to spend, and Willdan says its data center work stretches past 2029.

Willdan just closed its purchase of Mantis Innovation, which helps big companies cut their energy bills and brings roughly 120 million dollars in yearly sales. With that deal, the company expects to top 1 billion dollars in sales next year. It also won a spot on a 10 year, 3.3 billion dollar New York Power Authority program that it shares with several other firms.

Sales grew 18 percent, but profit actually fell about 14 percent this quarter to roughly 12 million dollars. Higher taxes, bigger stock awards for employees, and costs tied to past acquisitions ate into the gains. Buying companies can grow a business fast, but it can also make the bottom line messier.

At about 1.1 billion dollars in value, Willdan is small next to the engineering giants chasing the same contracts. Much of its work still comes from government agencies and utilities, where one budget cut or delayed approval can push projects out by a year. The stock also tends to swing about 30 percent harder than the overall market, so expect a bumpier ride.