Tuesday, September 30, 2014

Dixie Cullen #17 on Houston Business Journals Fastest Growing Woman Owned Businesses

Beyond The List: Texas, Houston among best places for women-owned businesses

Sep 25, 2014, 2:47pm CDT

Research director-Houston Business Journal
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September 26th  the Houston Business Journal will release its rankings for the Fastest-Growing Women-Owned Businesses List and a new List of the Largest Women-Owned Businesses, ranked by locally generated revenue. The businesses on The Lists represent a tiny fraction of the women-owned businesses (WOBs) in Houston.
According to The State of Women-Owned Businesses, 2014, a report published by American Express OPEN, there are more than 178,500 women-owned businesses in the Houston metro area, representing 24 percent of all women-owned businesses in Texas. Between 2002 and 2014, the number of women-owned businesses in Texas increased 52 percent, the fifth-fastest in the nation.
Texas ranked as the ninth best state for women-owned businesses, tied with Utah. The rankings were based on the number of women-owned businesses in the state, the revenue growth between 2002 and 2014 and growth in number of employees in the same period.
  1. North Dakota
  2. District of Columbia
  3. Nevada
  4. Arizona
  5. Georgia
  6. Wyoming
  7. Virginia
  8. Maryland
  9. Texas and Utah (tied)
Among the metro areas with the greatest increase in number of WOBs, Houston was beat out by fellow Texas markets San Antonio, which ranked first, and Dallas, which came in second. The number of WOBs increased 86 percent in San Antonio and 63 in Dallas. However, Houston dominated when it came to overall revenue increase: WOBs in Houston increased revenues by 112 percent between 2002 and 2014.
It's no surprise Houston's WOB are growing. Companies on this year's List of Fastest-Growing Women-Owned Businesses increased revenues 56 percent on average between 2012 and 2013 and generated combined revenues of $1.34 billion. Companies that ranked on The List must be at least 51 percent women-owned and have generated at least $1 million in revenue in 2013.
In the overall rankings of the metro areas, San Antonio enjoys the top spot, followed by a four-way tie that includes Atlanta, Baltimore, Houston, and Portland. The sixth through tenth places are filled by: Washington, D.C.; Tampa Bay/St. Petersburg, Florida; Seattle; Dallas; and Riverside, California.
The companies on the Largest Women-Owned Businesses generated a combined $1.79 billion in revenues for 2013 and employ 3,700 people in the Houston area.

Monday, September 29, 2014

What's Happening at the Port of Houston

What's Happening at the Port of Houston- An update on activities for growing International Trade


The DEC and The Greater Houston Partnership have joined forces for our October outreach event. Join us for a panel presentation from the Port of Houston “What’s Happening at the Port?" Find out what’s new, what's improving, what freight is moving and what’s on the horizon that will impact our exporting community!

Where

Greater Houston Partnership
1200 Smith, Suite 700
Houston, TX 77002-4400
Event Address Map
Driving Directions

Contact

Jolie Cosman
Houston District Export Council
(713) 269-7044
jolie@letterofcreditcollection.com

Wednesday, September 24, 2014

Lined up in a row!

Over the years,  one thing that we can plan on,  is that plans change, and Dixie Cullen must be flexible.  Some items come to us for transloading and end up needing to stay in storage for a little while for one reason or another.  While other items come in for long term storage and something changes and it's shipping long before the customer had intended it to ship.  While still others come and go on a continous basis.  

Through it all,  we strive to keep a cutomers equipment and/or material in one area, together for their quick and easy access.





Tuesday, September 23, 2014

Port of Los Angeles Fire Update

Update - Port of Los Angeles Fire
Last night a fire broke out at the Port of Los Angeles, burning roughly 150 feet of dock in the Wilmington neighborhood. The fire threatened a nearby warehouse and forced the evacuation of about 850 people from two terminals. All terminals are currently closed at the Port of Los Angeles.
The bulk of the fire is reportedly under control but still continues to smolder with large plumes of smoke triggering more evacuations in the surrounding neighbor due to concerns about air quality. Officials are also advising that residents who have not evacuated the area keep their windows closed, air conditioning off, and avoid being outside
In addition, only a few terminals are open at the twin Port of Long Beach including ITS, PCT and Pier A. This incident may also impact the availability of longshoremen labor at the effected terminals. 

Friday, September 19, 2014

Big increase in Steel Moving through Port of Houston

Big Increase in Steel Moving Across Docks at Port of Houston Authority in JulyPosted on: August 27, 2014

Record Monthly Operating Revenues Exceed $24 Million

More steel moved across the docks in July than any month since 2008, Executive Director Roger Guenther reported at the August 26 meeting of the Port Commission of the Port of Houston Authority.

Guenther also noted that PHA has achieved a record, with operating revenues in July 2014 of more than $24 million. Steel and bulk cargo support a solid 5 percent growth in tonnage, he said. More than 22 million tons of cargo moved across Port Authority docks during the first seven months. The month of July also recorded the highest tonnage in steel since 2008, 844,000 tons. Container volume was relatively flat compared to last year, but has seen a 4-percent increase in the number of loaded boxes year to date. This was offset by a reduced number of empty containers being imported through PHA terminals due to an increase in loaded imports.

Combining the strength in revenues and controlled spending, PHA has generated more than $65 million in operating cash flow for the year, a growth of 5 percent, Guenther reported. Following the first two quarters of 2014, PHA has prepared a reforecast budget for the remainder of the year, reflecting a $5.8 million increase in annual operating revenue, a decrease of $2.1 million in annual operating expense, and a reduction in G&A expense of $1.9 million, which results in a revised 10-percent increase in reforecast cash flow for the year, topping $100 million.

“This revenue generated will be reinvested in the infrastructure assets needed to increase capacity and provide for increased economic activity and job growth for the region,” Guenther said.

Guenther attended the Centennial celebration of the opening of the Panama Canal held this month. He stated that it was a great opportunity to engage with customers and shipping lines from around the world. He said that Panama officials shared that the expansion is progressing and is still scheduled to open in January 2016.

In her opening remarks, Port Commission Chairman Janiece Longoria noted that the Port Authority and its industry partners will host a “Military to Maritime” career fair on September 3 at PHA’s Bayport Cruise Terminal in Pasadena. Sponsored by the American Maritime Partnership, the event is designed for servicemen and servicewomen who are interested in transitioning from the military to a maritime-related field.

Registration and more information about the event can be accessed at http://www.americanmaritimepartnership.com/military2maritime.

“The availability of a trained and ready workforce is key to supporting our growing maritime industry,” Longoria said. On September 6, Promote Houston Ship Channel 2014 Inc. will host a family-friendly, outdoor festival at the cruise terminal in recognition of the Houston Ship Channel’s centennial celebration. The free event is open to the public. Pre-registration is required on the Promote Houston Ship Channel 2014 website at http://promotehoustonshipchannel2014.org/events/get-on-board. The Port of Houston Authority, along with the U.S. Coast Guard, Harris County Precinct 2, San Jacinto College and the Houston Pilots are also sponsoring its annual Maritime and Logistics Youth Expo earlier on this same day.

Other events commemorating the centennial include a rededication ceremony on November 10, 2014, to observe the historic date when President Woodrow Wilson fired a cannon via remote control from his office in Washington D.C. to officially open the deep-water Houston Ship Channel for operation in 1914.

“The Houston Ship Channel’s centennial is a significant milestone, and we are working to ensure that this legacy continues to drive economic expansion through the next century and beyond,” Longoria said.

Longoria reported that in July, the Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Lt. Gen. Thomas P. Bostick, was briefed on the economic growth along the Houston Ship Channel and given an aerial tour of the federal waterway, the nation’s busiest waterway and home to the largest petrochemical complex in the U.S.

She also recognized PHA firefighters who worked in partnership with other local agencies in a rescue on August 18 of a fishing vessel that capsized about three miles south of the Fred Hartman Bridge. Longoria also presented a resolution in honor of Port Commission Chairman Emeritus Ned Holmes, who was honored recently as the Maritime Person of the Year at the Greater Houston Port Bureau annual gala. Holmes served on the Commission from 1987 to 2000, including 12 years as Chairman.

The next Port Commission meeting will be held Tuesday, September 23.
About the Port of Houston Authority
For nearly 100 years, the Port of Houston Authority has owned/operated the public cargo-handling facilities of the Port of Houston – the nation’s largest port in terms of foreign waterborne tonnage. The port has historically been an economic engine for the Houston region, the state of Texas and the nation. The port contributes to the creation of more than one million statewide and more than 2.1 million nationwide jobs and the generation of more than $178.5 billion of statewide and $499 billion of nationwide economic activity.
For more information, please visit www.portofhouston.com

Thursday, September 18, 2014

What Value Added Services do you and your customers need?


Value added services are all in a days work for us here at Dixie Cullen.  

Recently one of our customers,  needed to open up their units for their annual inspections.  We were able to work closely with our customers to provide both the forklifts,   overhead lift equipment and manpower to move the equipment around, lift the tops off their equipment,  test the equipment,  and replace desiccant packs,  seal back up and prepare for shipment. 

Our experienced employees are happy to complete the work directly or  as in this case by working closely with the customers representative completing tasks as directed.






Wednesday, September 17, 2014

6th Annual Harris County International Trade & Transportation Conference


One of the great things about Harris County,  is that our County Commissioner,  Judge Emmott comes from a transportation back ground,  and he has spearheaded this event since the onset.  We've attended annually and look forward to attending again this year.

For more information on this event and to register,  visit  http://harriscountyevents.net/program/

Tuesday, September 16, 2014

Dixie Cullen Honored as one of Houston Fast 100!


What an exciting week we had last week,  the Houston Business Journals FAST 100 Awards, for privately owned businesses in the 10 county area,   were held on Thursday,  and we are pleased to announce that we were one of the Honorees    We would like to thank our WONDERFUL customers and our COMMITTED TEAM of employees for helping us to achieve this honor. 

The Houston Business Journal also recognized  Top 10 Enterprise Champions Awards.  Of the 100 FAST 100 Honorees,  80 were eligible for this award.  It was announced that Dixie Cullen was one of the Top 10!



Monday, September 15, 2014

Large and Small . . . . what do you need?

Over the past 12 months we have seen our fleet of forklift grow,   Like many warehouses we have quite a large fleet of smaller capacity forklifts that enable us to handle a lot of different material,  including in and out of containers.   However we've seen an major increase in the number of 36,000 pound forklifts in our fleet.

When I was out in the warehouse the other day with the camera,  I couldn't resist taking this picture.  



Small forklift,  36,000 pound forklift and overhead crane all in one shot!

Friday, September 12, 2014

Making it work!

We pride ourselves on being able to provide custom services to our customer,  and this week was no different.   One of our clients had a deadline to meet,  however once they received the go-ahead from their customer.  But this was a HIGH piece,  and the route that the permit would have to take them would add several days to the movement.

So working closely with our customer, first gaining 3 inches,  then   we were able to buy them another 8 inches,  which enabled this load to move without special routing.   Saving both time and money on the movement for our customer and allowing them to meet their deadline.