Rooted in Brownsville since 1936
DIX is a family business with deep Brownsville roots. Its founder, Richard "Dick" Ostos, was on hand when the first cargo ship tied up at the new port in 1936. Eleven years later he started his own company there.
Two more generations of the Ostos family have built on that start. Dick's son Bob led the company from the late 1970s, and today his son Lee Ostos is president, with cousin Bobby Ostos overseeing operations at the Port of Corpus Christi. Over 75 years the company has grown from a single warehouse to 800,000 square feet of storage and more than 100 crane operators, equipment operators, stevedores and office staff.
The port has recognized the family twice: with R.L. Ostos Road in 1996, and with the 2022 Chairman's Award for DIX's accomplishments over 75 years.
R.L. Ostos Rd.From Dick's Shipping to DIX Industries
- 1936
A port opens, and Dick Ostos is there
Richard "Dick" Ostos is at the new Port of Brownsville when its first cargo vessel docks.
- 1947
The company is founded
Dick Ostos establishes the business at the port. It begins as Dick's Shipping and grows into DIX Shipping Company, shipping agents and stevedores.
- 1960s
Citrus to Germany
Working with citrus packers in Montemorelos, Mexico, and importers in West Germany, Dick Ostos moves millions of cartons of Mexican citrus through Brownsville.
- 1970s
Valley produce goes overseas
Texas citrus and Rio Grande Valley vegetables join the export trade. In the late 1970s Dick's youngest son, Bob Ostos, becomes president.
- 1983
Brownsville Gulfside Warehouse
Gulfside begins doing business at the Port of Brownsville as a full-service warehouse and terminal for U.S. and Mexican clients.
- 1996
R.L. Ostos Road
The Brownsville Navigation District renames the road on the south side of the ship channel in honor of the elder Ostos's contributions to the port.
- 2010
The third generation
Cousins Lee and Bobby Ostos buy the company from their fathers. Under Lee's leadership the company becomes DIX Industries.
- 2022
75 years, Chairman's Award
On December 8, 2022, the Port of Brownsville presents DIX with its Chairman's Award, recognizing 75 years of growth, leadership and service at the port.
- Today
Still family, still on the dock
More than 100 people, 800,000 square feet of warehouse storage and offices in Brownsville, Corpus Christi, Monterrey and Veracruz.
Cargo headed for South Texas or Mexico?
Talk to our operations team about your next vessel, shipment or storage need.