Houston is, and always has been, a city that builds. From the oil rigs that powered the 20th century to the rockets that carried us to the moon, this region has built its reputation on the ability to engineer, innovate and scale at every level of industry.  Tech manufacturing has always been a part of that story. Before Silicon Valley became synonymous with the tech boom, there was Compaq. In the 1980s and ’90s, the Houston-based company helped revolutionize personal computing, turning the region into a hub for high-tech production long before it became a national trend.   Hewlett-Packard and Texas Instruments also maintained a significant presence in the region during that era. But as manufacturing policies and global economic dynamics shifted production overseas, Houston’s momentum in tech manufacturing slowed.  Now, as the global manufacturing landscape shifts toward advanced technologies like AI systems, robotics, energy storage and digital infrastructure, some of the world’s most prominent names in tech are turning their attention back to Houston.  Want to learn more about Houston’s advanced manufacturing industry? Connect with the Partnership’s Sr. Director of Economic Development, Valerie Mathieu.   Strategic Investments  Earlier this year, Apple announced it would build a 250,000-square-foot AI-driven manufacturing facility in northwest Harris County, bringing advanced server production for its Apple Intelligence platform back to U.S. soil. The announcement is an expansion of a multi-building complex operated by Foxconn, which supplies high-tech components for global tech firms.  Nvidia, a global leader in AI computing, also recently announced plans to reshore production of its AI supercomputers to the U.S., with a new manufacturing facility in Houston in partnership with Foxconn. These high-performance systems are essential for powering the next generation of data centers.  “Nvidia’s announcement reinforces a growing trend—global companies are choosing Houston for advanced manufacturing," said Craig Rhodes, Greater Houston Partnership’s SVP of Economic Development, in a statement. “Our region has the key ingredients—a highly skilled and diverse workforce, robust infrastructure, and deep industry expertise—to scale complex projects. As demand for AI and digital technologies grows, Houston is where companies come to build the future.”  Why Houston, Why Now?  As global companies re-evaluate supply chains, the question isn’t just where to build – but where to build smart. Houston offers the full package: scalable infrastructure, a strong supply chain ecosystem and a skilled workforce ready for next-gen production.  With nearly 240,000 manufacturing workers, Houston has one of the most diverse and capable labor pools in the nation – strengthened by industry-aligned training programs at local collages and new outcomes-based funding under Texas House Bill 8.   Innovation hubs, like The Ion District, accelerate the pace from idea to market, while Houston’s logistics network – home to the nation’s busiest port for foreign tonnage and two international airports – ensure global connectivity.  Add pro-business policies, available land and lower costs than coastal hubs, and Houston stands out as one of the fastest, smartest places to grow.  Leading the Future  The latest wave of investments from Apple and NVIDIA aren’t just one-off wins; they’re a bold statement of confidence in Houston’s ability to deliver the talent, infrastructure and innovation needed to lead the next era of high-tech manufacturing.  

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