Our Legacy
Over a century of innovation and experience
We Believe In Putting The Customer First
And Doing What’s Right
At Stewart & Stevenson, we believe that our job is to utilize our vast knowledge and century-old experience to take care of your needs. We solve problems and treat your issues as if they were our own. We believe in always doing the right thing and in taking care of our people.
Our Incredible
History is Made
Over 120 Years of Service & Innovation
In 1902, we began as a blacksmith and carriage shop in Houston, Texas. With over 120 years of service, we take immense pride in our rich legacy.
From manufacturing horse-drawn carriages and wagons, to the repair and customization of automobiles, to harnessing diesel power for various applications, to assembling trucks and providing diesel and power generators to the U.S. Army in World War II, to the building of oilfield frac trucks, and so much more, we have continuously proven ourselves as an industry leader and innovator throughout history.
We Have a Reputation for Intelligent Horsepower
A Long List of Amazing Firsts
We built the first pumping units in the 1940s.
We developed one of the first 45 kW light power generators for the US military.
We developed the world’s first 100-barrel/minute blender.
We supplied the first fully integrated frac equipment packages internationally.
We’re the first OEM to develop a fully integrated controls package for well stimulation spread.
We developed the 1st generation integrated electric fracturing spread.
Patent:
Line of injector heads
Patent:
Railking cushioned coupler system
- We built the first pumping units in the 1940s.
- We developed one of the first 45 kW light power generators for the US military.
- We developed the world’s first 100-barrel/minute blender.
- We supplied the first fully integrated frac equipment packages internationally.
- We’re the first OEM to develop a fully integrated controls package for well stimulation spread.
- We developed the 1st generation integrated electric fracturing spread.
- Patent: Line of injector heads
- Patent: Railking cushioned coupler system
What We
Stand For
Our Mission
Our mission is to solve the problem, maximize uptime, and help customers extend the service life of their equipment.
Our Vision
Our vision is to safely and consistently take care of customers in the most efficient way possible.
Our Leadership
David Grebinski
President and CEO,
Kirby Corporation
Julie Kruger
Vice President,
Human Resources
David Francis
Assistant General Counsel,
Kirby Distribution & Services, Inc
We Empower Industry
Ethical
We operate with Ethics and choose to Do the Right Thing for our customers and our business.
Meticulous
We pay attention to the details because taking care of the little things makes a big difference in setting us apart.
Proactive Problem Solvers
We specialize in Identifying Problems and Resolving Issues for our customers.
Outstanding
We hold ourselves to a High Standard of Excellence. Our legacy points to our strength, footprint, longevity, innovation, and commitment to customers.
Welcoming
We have a Yes-We-Can Approach to every opportunity with an optimistic, experienced, Can-Do Attitude.
Effective
We Listen. We Understand. We Solve. Period.
Reliable
We are designed for Reliability. It’s built into everything we do.
A Timeline of
Our History
A Look Into What We Are Made Of
A Look Into What We Are Made Of
1902
Stewart & Stevenson originated in Houston, TX, as a blacksmith shop shoeing horses and a carriage shop manufacturing carriages and wagons.
1905
C. Jim Stewart & Stevenson repaired their first “horseless carriage.”
1920
As the automobile became more prevalent, the company shifted its focus to automobile repair and customization.
1923
The company became a GMC truck distributor and builder
of truck body variants.
1938
Stewart & Stevenson acquired a distributorship for GM diesel engines, and began harnessing diesel power for various applications.
1940
Stewart & Stevenson built hundreds of tow tractor/push vehicles and self-propelled bomb ordinance loaders for the U.S. Air Force.
1942
During World War II, we provided diesel generators, assembled hundreds of 6×6 trucks, refurbished thousands of Jeeps, and re-powered tanks.
1946
Stewart & Stevenson developed one of the first 45 kW light power generators for the U.S. military.
1950
Stewart & Stevenson manufactured a “swamp buggy” for support of oil exploration in Gulf Coast marsh areas.
1958
Entered the aircraft ground support business with GM Detroit Diesels. During the decade, designed and built approximately 1000 low silhouette, self-propelled GPUs with a 400 Hz, 90 kVA generator set for major airlines.
1959
Signed distributorship for Hyster industrial forklifts.
1960
Designed, built, and marketed oilfield self-propelled service units under the trade name “Fieldmaster.”
1962
Expanded the ground support equipment product line with tow tractor for various airlines.
1963
Built oilfield frac trucks.
1966
Entered gas turbine – powered industry & pleasure craft engines.
1969
Designed and built Land Leveler vehicle used for leveling an area that was to be water flooded for rice fields.
1970
Formed the Thermo King division.
1975
JV GM Detroit Diesel Sales in Venezuela.
1980
Started building GE gas turbine power packages for offshore oil rigs.
1985
California Cogen – power producing industry. Competed for the U.S. Army’s M939 A2 5-ton program.
1987
Through a joint venture with Mercedes Benz, built 700 “Starship” transit buses from 1987-1992.
1988
Granted exclusive territory for EMD engines, included 10 southern states, Mexico & Central America.
1989
Awarded a John Deere light industrial dealership.
1990
Designed and built Rail King railcar mover.
1991
Awarded contract to build $1.2 billion of 2.5 & 5-ton trucks for U.S. Army.
1994
Acquired PAMCO – Waukesha gas compression & generating equipment.
1995
Signed agreement with European Gas Turbines Ltd., packager of mid-range units. Marketed large self-propelled snowblowers for use at airports and on roadways.
1996
Competed for the U.S. Marine/Army Medium Tactical Truck Replacement (MTTR) Program, August 1996.
1999
Began production in September of second multi-year contract for the next FMTV increment of 10,000 vehicles.
2000
Sold gas-turbine division to GE Power Systems. Acquired TUG aircraft ground support vehicles business.
2001
Sold John Deere dealership. Formed the Specialty Wheeled Vehicle Division.
2002
Stewart & Stevenson stock moved to New York Stock Exchange; shares sold under new ticker symbol “SVC.”
2002
Stewart & Stevenson celebrated 100 years in manufacturing. Company focused on four business groupings: Power Products, Tactical Vehicle Systems, Engineered Products and S&S TUG
2003
HEV transit bus package added (hybrid “clean engine”)
2003
Stewart & Stevenson awarded U.S. Army’s FMTV A1CR Contract for 10,000 trucks and trailers through 2008.
2004
Key business partners: Allison Transmission, Detroit Diesel/MTU, DEUTZ, Electro-Motive Division, Hyster and Waukesha. Power Products executed new contracts with Detroit Diesel and DaimlerChrysler for distribution and servicing of diesel engine products. Obtained contracts for FMTV Low Signature Armored Cab (LSAC). Exited Thermo King, TUG airline, Distributed Energy Solutions.
2005
Refocused on three segments: Tactical Vehicle Systems, Power Products and Engineered Products.
2006
Tactical Vehicle Systems merged with Armor Holdings, Inc.
Engineered Products and Power Products divisions sold to Hushang Ansary; becomes Stewart & Stevenson LLC. Company focus: manufacture of equipment for oil & gas market, international expansion.
2007
Stewart & Stevenson LLC acquired Crown Energy Technologies, Inc., expanding the company’s line of stimulation equipment for the oil & gas industry and adding rigs to the product line.
2011
Stewart & Stevenson LLC acquired EMDSI-Hunt Power LLC, to be merged with S&S EMD operations (primarily New Orleans branch) and expand EMD sales and service internationally, as well as use international territories gained to expand oil & gas products and services internationally.
2013
Stewart & Stevenson LLC acquired Atlantic Detroit Diesel-Allison and Florida Detroit Diesel-Allison.
2016
Expanded the Rental Operations with S&S branded Taylor forklifts added to rental of generators, air compressors, forklifts, and Rail King railcar movers.
2017
Kirby Corporation (“Kirby”) (NYSE: KEX) announced the closing of the acquisition of substantially all of the assets and businesses of Stewart & Stevenson LLC.
