The Greater Houston Partnership welcomed 18 new member companies in the month of April. The Partnership works to connect companies with resources, information and networking opportunities to help increase business while also providing a platform to influence the direction of the region.  New members who joined in the month of April include: 512 Financial: Headquartered in Austin, 512 Financial is a business and consulting service with experts in accounting, finance, HR, and marketing, offering sophisticated fractional services to propel businesses forward. Website. 7th Echelon: 7th Echelon is a cybersecurity company based in Houston, specializing in providing tailored security solutions and services to help organizations protect their digital assets and infrastructure from evolving cyber threats. Website. Allstar Pizza & More: Allstar Pizza & More is a pizza company with locations in Clute and Lake Jackson, Texas, known for serving up a variety of pizzas, along with other menu items. They aim to provide delicious food and a welcoming atmosphere for the community in the Brazosport area. Website. Avatar Innovations: Avatar Innovations is a Canadian-based venture studio focused on driving energy transition by partnering with the oil and gas sector to develop and implement innovative CarbonTech solutions. Website. Bot Auto: Bot Auto is an L4 autonomous trucking company based in Houston, Texas that operates an autonomous truck fleet and offers Transportation as a Service (TaaS) to freight customers. Website. BrightMind Consulting Group: Based in Houston, BrightMind Consulting Group is a business management consulting firm that partners with organizations to drive strategic growth and operational excellence through tailored solutions in areas like business transformation, technology adoption, and organizational development. Website. Charles River Laboratories: Charles River Laboratories provides essential products and services to help accelerate the discovery, early-stage development, and safe manufacturing of novel drugs and therapeutics. They offer a comprehensive portfolio that supports pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies worldwide in their efforts to improve human health. Website. Dayforce: Dayforce is a global human capital management (HCM) software company that offers a unified platform for payroll, benefits, workforce management, talent management, and HR service delivery, empowering organizations to manage their entire employee lifecycle from recruitment to retirement. Website. Galaxy Technology Hires: Galaxy Technology Hires is an engineering and technology recruitment firm, headquartered in Houston, Texas providing custom solutions to name generation and sourcing, to research and organizational mapping, to full cycle recruiting. Galaxy Technology Hires also offers retained search, contingent search, executive search, and recruitment process outsourcing (RPO) services. Website. K & K Data Service Inc.: K & K Data Service Inc. is a company based in the United States specializing in comprehensive data center construction, operational maintenance, and related integrated solutions. Website. League of Women Voters of Houston: League of Women Voters of Houston is a nonpartisan political organization that encourages informed and active participation of citizens in government and influences public policy through education and advocacy. Website. Libyan National Oil Corporation: The Libyan National Oil Corporation (NOC) Houston Branch serves as a crucial hub for managing and executing turnkey procurement on behalf of all Libyan oil subsidiaries. This branch is tasked with selecting professional suppliers, establishing key framework agreements, and supporting vital training programs to enhance the industry's capabilities. Website. Logica Corp: Logica Corp delivers innovative technology solutions and consulting services, specializing in areas like data analytics, cloud computing, and custom software development to help businesses optimize their operations and achieve their strategic goals. Website. Maintenance Warriors: Maintenance Warriors provides comprehensive commercial and residential property maintenance services, offering solutions for everything from handyman repairs and cleaning to landscaping and preventative maintenance. Website. Markovich Grover PLLC: Markovich Grover is a Houston-based law firm specializing in complex commercial litigation, bankruptcy and restructuring, and energy litigation, representing clients across various industries with a focus on achieving favorable outcomes through strategic and effective legal advocacy. Website. MetroNational: MetroNational is a prominent Houston-based real estate development and investment firm known for its diverse portfolio of commercial, residential, and mixed-use properties that have significantly shaped the city's landscape. Website. Shell Federal Credit Union: Shell Federal Credit Union is a member-owned financial institution serving the Houston, Texas area, offering a range of financial products and services such as checking and savings accounts, loans, and investment options, with a focus on providing personalized service and supporting the financial well-being of its members. Website. Weltrio: WelTrio is a Houston-based company specializing in providing comprehensive language solutions, including translation, interpretation, and localization services, to help businesses and individuals communicate effectively across diverse linguistic and cultural landscapes. Website. Click here to see the Partnership's Membership Directory. To learn more about membership with the Greater Houston Partnership click here, or contact membership@houston.org.

HOUSTON (May 1, 2025)—As evolving trade policies and geopolitical tensions create economic uncertainty in 2025, Houston enters the year with a strong foundation. According to the Greater Houston Partnership’s newly released 2025 Global Houston report, the region led the U.S. in exports last year – shipping $180.9 billion in goods, more than any other metro area. Click to expand   The report, based on 2024 data compiled prior to this year’s policy changes, highlights how Houston’s infrastructure, industrial base and deep global relationships position the region to better navigate trade disruptions.  “As the U.S. seeks fairer trade arrangements, the uncertainty is impacting some long-term investment decisions,” Partnership President and CEO Steve Kean said. “At the same time, we’re seeing increased interest in the Houston metro as a destination for onshoring. Our region enters this period from a position of strength – we’re not only the nation’s top exporting metro, but also a leader in population and GDP growth. Houston is well-positioned to adapt, respond and benefit from global economic shifts.” Notably, the Houston/Galveston Customs District is one of only 10 in the U.S. where exports exceed imports – a reflection of the region’s strong global demand and production capacity. Key Metrics from the Global Houston Report: #1 U.S. Exporting Metro: $180.9B in goods exported in 2024 (3.1% increase from 2023) Record Customs District Tonnage: 432.6M metric tons handled, ranking No. 1 nationally Total Trade Value: $376.3B through Houston/Galveston, ranking No. 4 among U.S. districts Foreign Direct Investment: 81 foreign-owned companies announced plans to relocate, expand or start operations; a 56% increase from 2023 when 52 international projects were announced. (increase is partially due to improved data sourcing) Global Connectivity: 3.1M international passengers traveled through Houston airports (record; a 4.2% increase over the 12.6 million passengers in ’23) 3.4M container units processed at Port Houston (record) Migration-Driven Workforce Growth: Nearly 65% of the region’s 2024 population growth came from international migration Energy Leads in Exports Energy continues to play an outsized role in Houston’s international economy. Oil and refined petroleum products accounted for more than half (52.1%) of all trade value flowing through the Houston/Galveston Customs District in 2024 – totaling $196.1B, with 88% of that volume heading overseas.  According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), global oil demand is expected to reach 103.6 million barrels per day in 2025 – a new record, though below earlier projections. At the same time, lower forecasted oil prices and emerging trade barriers could prompt Texas producers to scale back new drilling, potentially reducing export volumes through the Houston/Galveston District. Top 10 Houston Trading Partners in 2024: Netherlands – $31.9B (↑ 23%) | Driven by oil exports amid EU energy diversification China – $30.1B (↓ 7%) | Key supplier of industrial equipment and electronics Mexico – $24.9B (↓ 13%) | Most integrated supply chain partner South Korea – $23.8B (↑ 4%) Germany – $16.9B (↑ 10%) Brazil – $16.8B (↑ 6%) United Kingdom – $15.0B (↑ 6%) Japan – $13.5B (↑ 3%) India – $13.2B (↓ 0.8%) Canada – $11.5B (↑ 22%) About the Report Produced annually by the Greater Houston Partnership’s Research team, the Global Houston Report analyzes the region’s international trade, foreign investment, migration trends and sector strengths. It serves as a key resource for companies navigating an increasingly complex global business landscape. Access the full report, here. CONTACT:           Brina Morales                                                 Sr. Director, Communications     bmorales@houston.org