Watco

Watco is a transportation and logistics company founded in 1983 by Charles R. "Dick" Webb. It operates a diverse network of short line railroads, terminals, and ports across North America and Australia. Starting as a small railcar switching operation in Louisiana, Watco has grown significantly through strategic acquisitions and organic expansion. The company has several core business segments. Watco Transportation Services operates 42 short line railroads in the U.S. and 2 in Australia, managing over 5,400 miles of track. Watco Terminal and Ports owns 86 terminals and port facilities, providing various transloading and storage services for a wide range of products. Additionally, Watco offers railcar repair and mechanical services and customizable supply chain solutions tailored to customer needs. Watco serves a diverse customer base, including industrial shippers, manufacturers, and energy sector clients. The company emphasizes safety and efficiency in its operations and maintains long-term relationships with its clients, including its first customer from 1983. The Webb family retains majority ownership of the company.

Logistics & Supply Chain Pittsburg, United States Founded 1983 ~1,208 employees

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Employees
1,208
+0.8% in the 3 months to Sep 2026
Revenue / employee
$1.3M
Revenue ~$1.6B
Total funding
$1.1B
Last round Jun 2025
12-month attrition
5%
Tech: 5.4%
H1B sponsor
NA

Headcount trend

Watco went from 1,158 employees in Oct 2024 to 1,208 in Sep 2026. Apr to Sep 2026: 40 people joined, 18 left.

Org structure

Headcount by department

Other580
Operations261
Engineering110
Finance73
Sales57
Success56
HR40
Marketing25

Funding

  • Jun 2025 · $600M · Duration Capital Partners
  • Jan 2019 · $450M · OakTree Capital Management

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Watco FAQ

How many employees does Watco have?

Watco has about 1,208 employees, up 0.8% over the 3 months to Sep 2026.

What is Watco's revenue per employee?

Watco makes about $1.32M in revenue per employee, based on $1.6B annual revenue and 1,208 employees.

How much funding has Watco raised?

Watco has raised $1.05B in total funding.

Data from Company Prospectus, DOL LCA disclosures, WARN notices and 6figr salary profiles.