CRANBERRY TWP — An excavation business that has been a fixture in southwestern Butler County for several decades has been bought by a New Kensington Company.

The Mashuda Corp., whose founder was World War I veteran Frank Mashuda, has been bought by a six-year-old competitor, Mountaintop Excavation.

The deal was finalized on Nov. 2, and the owner transition is occurring today as Mountaintop’s corporate offices and employees are being moved to the Route 19 location in Cranberry.

Tim Zeglin, president of Mountaintop Excavation, said all Mashuda employees will be maintained as Mountaintop takes over the business.

Zeglin said the burgeoning Marcellus Shale natural gas industry is the main reason all Mountaintop and Mashuda employees will be retained.

“(Marcellus Shale drilling) has afforded us the opportunity to really honor the legacy of the Mashuda family by making this transaction,” he said.