With its central location within the U.S. and the Americas, Houston is an important industrial base with access to global markets. That access is aided by our world-class infrastructure around two international airports, four deep water seaports, rail and highways that all help companies minimize their transportation and distribution costs domestically and internationally. The skilled workforce in this sector includes more than 223,000 industrial workers in specialties such as fabricated metal, machinery and chemical manufacturing. Emerging and growing industries like medical devices, therapeutics, and food and beverage have taken root in the region as well.