UK Doing Business in Texas
The United Kingdom ranks No. 1 for Texas’ private industry employment from foreign-owned firms, proving its important economic relationship with the Lone Star State.
The United Kingdom, Germany and France are among the top five countries for foreign direct investment projects in Texas. The United Kingdom ranks first for share of Texas’ private industry employment at foreign-owned firms. Texas and the UK share several industry strengths, including aerospace and aviation, information technology and manufacturing. These shared industries have been strengthened by major UK company investments in Texas, such as BP America. Texas’ state-of-the-art airports also provide direct transportation to London and Manchester.
Texas & the UK
Why do so many UK companies choose to Go Big in Texas? No corporate income tax and high economic security are just a few of the reasons. Learn more by watching the featured video.
- Foreign Direct Investment
- Trade and Infrastructure
- Cultural Ties
UK Companies Operating in Texas
As companies from the United Kingdom continue to invest in Texas, it’s clear that these two regions share a strong partnership.
Examples of United Kingdom companies operating in Texas include Accudyne Industries, Acelity Holdings, Allied Electronics, Aon Risk Services, ArthroCare, Atwood Oceanics, BAE Systems, Babcock Eagleton, BakerCorp International, Balfour Beatty Construction, BBA Aviation Engine Repair & Overhaul Group, BP Alternative Energy North America, BP America, Cyberonics, Ensco, FMC Fluid Control, FMC Technologies, Genesis Oil & Gas Consultants, Greyhound Lines, Hunting Titan, IMI Z&J, KPMG, Mylan Bertek Pharmaceuticals, NetIQ, Noble Drilling Americas, Paragon Software Systems, Smith & Nephew, Spectrum Technologies USA, Subsea 7, Synexus US, Technip Offshore Engineering and Y&R Austin.
Shared industries between the United Kingdom and Texas include aerospace & aviation, electronics, energy, financial services, health care, industrial products, information technology, infrastructure, life sciences, medical devices, oil & gas, pharmaceuticals, professional services and transportation. Cumulative foreign direct investment from January 2011 – December 2023 included 433 projects, with $10,316 million in capital investment and 21,935 jobs created by 369 companies.
Trade Between the UK and Texas
The trade relationship between Texas and the UK continues to thrive, thanks to goods including aircraft parts, technical instruments and more.
Texas exports to the United Kingdom in 2023 totaled $12,514 million, including the following commodities: mineral fuel, oil, industrial machinery, aircraft, spacecraft, parts, electric machinery and technical instruments. Texas imports from the United Kingdom in 2023 totaled $5,709 million, including the following commodities: industrial machinery, aircraft, spacecraft, parts, technical instruments, electric machinery, beverages, spirits and vinegar. Texas port districts that have active trade with the United Kingdom include Dallas-Fort Worth, El Paso, Houston, Laredo and Port Arthur.
Direct flights to/from London are offered at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA), Dallas Fort Worth International (DFW) and Houston George Bush Intercontinental (IAH). Direct flights to/from Manchester are offered at Houston George Bush Intercontinental (IAH).
Cultural Ties Between the UK and Texas
The United Kingdom and Texas share cultural ties in addition to their trade relationship and shared business sectors, like advancing medical research.
In 2018, Texas Medical Center (TMC) in Houston and the Department for International Trade in the United Kingdom formed a landmark BioBridge agreement to provide a gateway for the advancement of life sciences between the two entities in the areas of innovation and research. The partnership allows for a significant research collaboration on a wide range of medical issues, including the development and advancement of genomics and cancer treatments, helping boost exports and drive forward scientific innovation.
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