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Episode 26: Underground Growth: How APS Built a Southeast Powerhouse
In this episode of the Paper Jacket Podcast, Jeremy sits down with Allan Cagle, co-founder of Atlantic Pipe Services (APS)—a rapidly growing company that's quietly revolutionizing underground infrastructure in the Southeast.
Allan shares how APS went from just two employees to nearly 300 across 7 locations, the lessons he learned scaling a niche business, and why culture, trust, and people matter more than any playbook.
We dive into:
🔹 What APS actually does (and why it’s critical infrastructure work)
🔹 How internal innovation helped them outpace the competition
🔹 Why investing in people—not just performance—is the secret to sustainable growth
🔹 The unexpected link between professional bass fishing and entrepreneurship
🔹 How APS recently closed a record-setting private equity deal
🔹 The importance of being humble, hungry, and willing to train the next generation
This episode is for builders, operators, entrepreneurs, and anyone thinking about what it takes to scale a business that lasts.
💡 Ideal for Industrial, Commercial, Community, and Government entities.
🛠️ Services: Trenchless cleaning, internal inspection, and rehabilitation services for Sanitary Sewer and Storm Water systems
🌐 Learn more: https://atlanticpipe.us
🎬 Produced by: https://paper-jacket.com
𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀
00:00 – “You Can’t Get Experience Without a Chance”
00:30 – Meet Allan Cagle from Atlantic Pipe Services (APS)
01:00 – What APS Does: Cleaning & Rehabbing Underground Pipes
02:30 – Why Trenchless Rehab Saves Time, Money, and Disruption
04:30 – How Allan Entered the Industry at 21
05:30 – From First Employee to Launching APS in 2017
06:30 – Growing from 2 Employees to 300+ Across Florida
08:00 – Building Culture Without Micromanaging
09:30 – Hiring Young Talent and Training from the Ground Up
11:00 – Why APS Avoids “Experienced” Hires
12:00 – The Bass Fishing Story That Shaped Allan’s Leadership
14:00 – Letting Go of Control to Scale Successfully
16:30 – Why Internal Focus Fueled External Growth
18:00 – When Word-of-Mouth Wasn’t Enough
19:00 – Investing in Marketing to Scale Beyond Florida
21:00 – Selling APS to Private Equity at a Record Multiple
23:30 – Creating Career Paths in the Trades
26:00 – Final Thoughts on Humility, Growth, and Legacy
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By Paper JacketIn this episode of the Paper Jacket Podcast, Jeremy sits down with Allan Cagle, co-founder of Atlantic Pipe Services (APS)—a rapidly growing company that's quietly revolutionizing underground infrastructure in the Southeast.
Allan shares how APS went from just two employees to nearly 300 across 7 locations, the lessons he learned scaling a niche business, and why culture, trust, and people matter more than any playbook.
We dive into:
🔹 What APS actually does (and why it’s critical infrastructure work)
🔹 How internal innovation helped them outpace the competition
🔹 Why investing in people—not just performance—is the secret to sustainable growth
🔹 The unexpected link between professional bass fishing and entrepreneurship
🔹 How APS recently closed a record-setting private equity deal
🔹 The importance of being humble, hungry, and willing to train the next generation
This episode is for builders, operators, entrepreneurs, and anyone thinking about what it takes to scale a business that lasts.
💡 Ideal for Industrial, Commercial, Community, and Government entities.
🛠️ Services: Trenchless cleaning, internal inspection, and rehabilitation services for Sanitary Sewer and Storm Water systems
🌐 Learn more: https://atlanticpipe.us
🎬 Produced by: https://paper-jacket.com
𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗺𝗽𝘀
00:00 – “You Can’t Get Experience Without a Chance”
00:30 – Meet Allan Cagle from Atlantic Pipe Services (APS)
01:00 – What APS Does: Cleaning & Rehabbing Underground Pipes
02:30 – Why Trenchless Rehab Saves Time, Money, and Disruption
04:30 – How Allan Entered the Industry at 21
05:30 – From First Employee to Launching APS in 2017
06:30 – Growing from 2 Employees to 300+ Across Florida
08:00 – Building Culture Without Micromanaging
09:30 – Hiring Young Talent and Training from the Ground Up
11:00 – Why APS Avoids “Experienced” Hires
12:00 – The Bass Fishing Story That Shaped Allan’s Leadership
14:00 – Letting Go of Control to Scale Successfully
16:30 – Why Internal Focus Fueled External Growth
18:00 – When Word-of-Mouth Wasn’t Enough
19:00 – Investing in Marketing to Scale Beyond Florida
21:00 – Selling APS to Private Equity at a Record Multiple
23:30 – Creating Career Paths in the Trades
26:00 – Final Thoughts on Humility, Growth, and Legacy