C.H. Powell Company celebrates 100th anniversary

On Saturday, June 15, C.H. Powell employees from all over the country gathered at the Sheraton Boston Needham Hotel to celebrate the Canton-based import/export company’s 100th anniversary. Also on that day, Boston Mayor Martin Walsh issued a proclamation declaring June 15, 2019 to be C.H. Powell Day in the city of Boston.

Founded by Charles H. Powell in March of 1919, the fourth-generation family company, with its headquarters now on Shawmut Road in Canton, was one of the early Customs House brokers licensed in the port of Boston. Starting with five employees handling imports and exports, the company became international with the opening of its Liverpool office in 1922, followed by its New York office in 1929. After World War II, the company expanded as manufacturing and exports grew throughout the Northeast. By 1962, all of the founder’s sons were active in the company.

The 1960s brought important changes: C.H. Powell established its airfreight operation at Boston’s Logan International Airport with Intercontinental Air Freight. C.H. Powell was the first customs broker at the airport, the first to introduce a second shift to accommodate late arrivals, and the first to operate an in-house computer system. Intercontinental and C.H. Powell was the first freight forwarder to book cargo space on the NASA Space Shuttle to the moon. Over the following decades, the company added offices in more U.S. regions, becoming truly national in scope. Over the last 15 years, C.H. Powell has opened its own offices in the Netherlands, Hong Kong, China and India. With offices and agents throughout the world, C.H. Powell Company is a true global freight forwarder.

“Looking back on 100 years of C.H. Powell Company, we are proud of our expansion and that the company has remained a family business,” said Steven Powell, third-generation owner and vice president. “Many dedicated people have made our success possible. Together with them, we look forward to a promising future.”

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Posted by Canton Citizen on Jun 22 2019. Filed under Business. Both comments and pings are currently closed.