Industrial Equipment Company: 90 Years of Service
In 1936, Industrial Equipment Company began a story that now spans nine decades of industrial change. From the Gulf Coast’s expanding petrochemical industry to today’s smarter controls and online purchasing, our business has evolved alongside the customers we serve.
As we celebrate our 90th anniversary in 2026, we’re looking back at the milestones that shaped us and the commitment that continues to guide us: To develop and maintain a highly skilled, technically knowledgeable sales team dedicated to understanding our customers’ needs and providing the right solutions to their challenges.
Founded in 1936, Growing With Gulf Coast Industry
Industrial Equipment Company was founded during the Great Depression. In the decades that followed, wartime production and postwar petrochemical growth transformed the Houston Ship Channel into a major industrial center.
That regional history provides the backdrop for ours. Today, we supply equipment and technical support to chemical plants, refineries, utilities, water and wastewater facilities, and other industrial operations. As customer needs have expanded, so has the range of applications our teams help support.
Expanding Regional Service and Technical Expertise
Our Dallas office opened in 1965. In 1997, Dallas became a wholly owned regional office of Industrial Equipment Company of Houston. Shifting its focus from instrumentation to commercial and industrial controls.
In 2006, we acquired Currier & Roser, strengthening our Gulf Coast presence and regional reach. Today, our New Orleans operation also manufactures CRI circuit breakers on-site and ships them nationwide, adding specialized manufacturing to our distribution capabilities.
Industrial Equipment Company of Houston opened its Tulsa, Oklahoma branch in 2011. This marked the company’s expansion into Oklahoma.
We now serve customers internationally through six locations: Houston, Dallas, Beaumont, San Antonio, New Orleans, and Tulsa. Local teams and regional inventory help connect customers with the products and application knowledge they need.
Women-Owned Leadership, Built on Experience
Carole Cook became CEO in 2011 after advancing through accounting and financial leadership roles. Our Women’s Business Enterprise National Council, or WBENC, certification also began that year.
Today, Cook leads alongside Greg Cooper, President of Commercial & Industrial, and Richard Adams, President of Process & Power. Together with their teams, they carry our service commitment into a business that supports both commercial facilities and demanding industrial processes.
Smarter Industrial Equipment, Better-Informed Decisions
The equipment we supply continues to evolve. Modern combustion controls can provide more diagnostic information. Connected HVAC devices give technicians greater visibility, while precision instruments help operators understand flow, pressure, temperature, and level.
In October 2022, we announced our appointment as a Fireye Master Distributor for North and South America, building on more than 50 years of representing Fireye products. In 2026, Fireye presented us with its 2025 Customer Impact Award at our 90th anniversary banquet.
In June 2025, we announced an authorized distribution partnership with DwyerOmega, adding another chapter to our precision measurement and control offerings.
These advances create new opportunities for efficiency and reliability. They also make application expertise increasingly valuable. A product’s capabilities matter most when they match the operating conditions, compatibility requirements, and purpose of the system it will serve.
From Fax Orders to Online Industrial Equipment Purchasing
How customers do business with us has changed, too. We are still available by telephone, fax, and email, but our online store now lets customers browse products such as CRI circuit breakers and HOTSTART engine heaters, review model information, and place orders.
Digital access adds convenience without replacing personal support. Customers can shop online when they know what they need and connect with a local team when an application calls for a closer look.
Celebrating 90 Years and Looking Ahead
Our 90th anniversary celebrates more than longevity. It recognizes the employees, families, customers, and manufacturer partners who have helped Industrial Equipment Company grow through generations of change.
The next chapter will bring new technologies and new opportunities to serve. We’ll keep learning, adapting, and putting our experience to work—with the same focus on customers that has guided us since 1936.
Need help selecting industrial equipment? Connect with your local Industrial Equipment Company team or explore our online store to find products and support for your next project.
