We live in an increasingly globalized world where transit that once took days can now be done within a few hours. The process of obtaining goods and products we use in our daily lives has become so painless, it’s easy to forget all the work that goes on behind the scenes.
In Houston, however, logistics are never too far from anyone’s mind. Situated conveniently on Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, the Houston area has become the country's biggest region for exports and energy companies all over the world can trace their supply chains back to the city's shores. Logistics may be a humble industry, but the products of its labor are anything but. It's estimated that the measured economic value of Houston's cargo shipping companies is a cool $800 billion. Texan logistics leaders are responsible for thousands of new jobs in the region, and the industry’s broad scope means that everyone from data scientists to software engineers can find a place in the exports business. Whether by plane, train, barge or commercial fleet, these 12 logistics and shipping companies are putting Houston on a global map.
Logistics and Shipping Companies In Houston To Know
- Sysco
- Phillips 66
- Kirby Corporation
- Crane Worldwide Logistics
- Shipcom Wireless
- Gulf Winds International
- CenterPoint Energy
- MRC Global
Founded: 1970
Number of Employees: 69,000+
What they do: Sysco is among one of the biggest distributors of food products in the entire world, shipping products to restaurants and hotels internationally and managing over $40 billion in assets. Sysco's team of distribution professionals work with each client to work out solutions for menu planning, back-of-house logistics, and product inventory to help chefs and business owners receive the exact products they need on their schedule.
Founded: 1917
Number of Employees: 10,000+
What they do: Phillips 66 manufactures energy solutions and manages the logistics of energy and refining processes for power companies across the country and beyond. The company's in-house team of researchers focus on market trends and sustainability to develop new and improved solutions for energy access.
Founded: 1921
Number of Employees: 5,000+
What they do: Kirby Corporation manages fleets of tank barges throughout the country, helping companies ship bulk liquids and other assets throughout every available waterway and coast in the United States. Aside from their barge fleets, Kirby Corporation additionally distributes engine parts and service equipment to industrial manufacturers nationwide. With nearly a century of impact on the shipping and energy sector, Kirby Corporation has formed strong partnerships with a number of leading investors and has a total equity of over $2 billion.
Founded: 2008
Number of Employees: 1,500+
What they do: Crane Worldwide Logistics manages global freight fleets and contracts logistics services to leading businesses throughout the globe, with over 100 distribution facilities located in 26 countries. Their services assist companies in automotive, aerospace tech, hospitality, energy and other industries achieve better transparency and control over their supply chains, and their team of IT specialists and account managers guide clients in getting their products to customers faster.
Founded: 1997
Number of Employees: 200+
What they do: Shipcom Wireless provides companies that need strong supply chains with software designed to enhance their shipping and distribution operations. Shipcom Wireless's technology platform includes features such as data collection and asset identification to give transportation companies and retailers further visibility into their product tracking, warehousing and even their manufacturing processes.
Founded: 1997
Number of Employees: 500+
What they do: Gulf Winds International is a trucking and transportation company that specifically serves the Houston, Memphis, Dallas and Mobile markets and others throughout the southeast and Gulf Coast. As a third-party logistics provider, Gulf Winds International offers a suite of warehousing, trucking, rail transport and drayage solutions to retailers and importers throughout the region. Their fleet of hundreds of trucks help companies import products from all over the globe to be distributed to customers throughout the Southeast and bolster the region's economy.
Founded: 1866
Number of Employees: 14,000+
What they do: CenterPoint Energy delivers energy and power products to metered customers throughout the country, primarily helping clients throughout the South make energy more accessible to their customers. With offerings for residences and businesses, CenterPoint Energy transports and delivers natural gas, electric power, and home repair products to a customer base of over four million.
Founded: 1921
Number of Employees: 3,000+
What they do: MRC Global transports and distributes pipes valves and other hardware products to companies in the energy procurement sector. Operating out of over 400 bases throughout the globe, MRC Global's professional logistics team helps guide energy companies in powering as many homes as possible. In addition to power, MRC provides full visibility into the timeframe and supply chain networks through which their products are manufactured and shipped.
Founded: 1999
Number of Employees: 200+
What they do: Insite360 builds and shares fleet management software products to companies and carriers in the energy and fuel industry, with the aim of streamlining transit processes and optimizing logistical operations. Their software technologies help convenience stores and other suppliers maintain regulations compliance and optimal distribution levels while giving them actionable insights into their fleets while on the road.
Founded: 2011
Number of Employees: 250+
What they do: ReLogistics Services helps companies optimize and fine-tune their supply chains with the assistance of scalable pallet management services designed to help companies increase their revenue and manage risks to their fleets and assets. Serving companies in markets ranging from groceries to electronics, ReLogistics Services processes and handles millions of pallets and containers across the country while helping companies make their supply chains more efficient.
Founded: 2001
Number of Employees: 200+
What they do: Vertex Energy helps chemicals and power companies manage their products at the end of their life cycles, offering recycling and sustainable disposal services to mitigate the impacts of industrial waste on the environment. The company utilizes recycled materials by processing them for reuse by industrial manufacturers, and they manage hydroprocessing plants throughout the Southeast and Midwest to collect and aggregate fuels and oils.
Founded: 1993
Number of Employees: 100+
What they do: Intermodal Tank Transport teams up with companies across the world to connect them with tank container shipping and logistics services to help them get their products to their final destinations faster and more safely. With locations in Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East in addition to its U.S. bases, Intermodal Tank Transport leads a global network of liquid transport fleets and helps connect customers all over the world with their products while maintaining a commitment to environmental protection.
