Watco, Ranked a Top Employer, Takes on Wind Power Partnership

Named a top transportation and logistics company on the Forbes annual list of America’s best employers, Watco has teamed with Crowley to serve the offshore wind energy industry.

Watco—a Pittsburg, Kans.-based owner and operator of short lines, terminals, ports and mechanical shops—is one of 500 companies included on the Forbes 2021 list of America’s Best Mid-Sized Employers.

Through market research firm Statista, Forbes asked 50,000 Americans working for companies with at least 1,000 employees to rate how likely they would recommend their employer, and to identify organizations in their respective industries that they would or would not recommend. Those receiving the most recommendations were ranked as the top 500 mid-sized (1,000 to 5,000 employees) and top 500 large (more than 5,000 employees) companies.

“Every day we have people throughout this company show up wanting to positively impact others, from serving a Watco customer to helping fellow teammates,” said Watco Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer Rachael Peterson, who was recently named an honoree of Railway Age’s 20 Under 40 program for 2021. “Being recognized as a top employer is a reflection of the players we have on the Watco team. Our team should be incredibly proud of the environment and culture they have created.”

Among the other transportation and logistics firms included on the list: Landstar System, Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) and Metropolitan Atlanta Rapid Transit Authority (MARTA).

In other developments, Watco reported that it has teamed with Crowley to establish a “one-stop-shop” for terminal and supply chain management services to support the emerging offshore wind industry.

Watco and Jacksonville, Fla.-based Crowley—a logistics, government, marine and energy solutions firm—will collaborate to provide customized terminal design, project management, warehousing, logistics, supply chain management and equipment maintenance, according to the companies.

With expertise in onshore wind terminal management and ongoing relationships with OEMs, Watco said it will develop terminal management offerings for the offshore wind industry. With its vessel fleet, engineering services, and oil and gas expertise, Crowley will provide offerings such as the design and operation of service operation vessels (SOVs), crew transfer vessels (CTVs), turbine maintenance, offshore substation repair and maintenance, and additional services to sustain offshore wind energy operations.

“Crowley and Watco will work together to leverage our respective expertise in logistics, project management and energy support to create innovative solutions to meet full lifecycle project needs,” Watco Senior Vice President of Logistics Lynda Patterson said.