Basic industries are the types of companies that provide the raw materials, components, and finished products used to manufacture other goods and services. These industries typically use natural resources, energy, and labor heavily and tend to be concentrated in specific geographic areas. Examples of basic industries include agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, oil and gas extraction, quarrying, and manufacturing.
Recently, many developed countries have turned their focus to sectors like finance, IT, and healthcare. However, basic industries still play a vital role in the global economy and will remain essential in the years ahead.
Here’s a list of some of the biggest companies in basic industries:
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1. Procter & Gamble Company
Procter & Gamble Company is a major American consumer goods corporation based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Founded in 1837 by William Procter and James Gamble, it employs over 106,000 people globally and operates in 80+ countries.
Procter & Gamble produces consumer goods like soap, detergent, cosmetics, food, and beverages. Its popular brands include Tide, Pampers, Ariel, Gillette, and Oral-B. Procter & Gamble is known for its long history of innovation and ranks consistently as one of the world’s top brands.
2. Chevron Corporation
Chevron Corporation, an American multinational energy company based in San Ramon, California, was founded in 1906. It employs over 42,000 people globally. Operating in over 180 countries, Chevron engages in oil and gas exploration, production, refining, marketing, and chemicals manufacturing.
Chevron ranks as one of the largest oil and gas companies, making a significant impact in the global energy market. The company concentrates its operations in North America, South America, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East. Chevron also stands out as a top natural gas producer in the United States.
3. Cargill
Cargill is an American multinational corporation based in Minnetonka, Minnesota. Founded by William Cargill in 1865, it employs over 166,000 people globally. Active in 66 countries, Cargill works in agriculture, food and beverage, finance, and industry.
Cargill, the largest private company in the U.S., stands as a major global provider of food and agricultural products. With a strong foothold in growing markets, it excels in risk management and financial services for the agriculture sector.
4. ExxonMobil
ExxonMobil, an American multinational oil and gas giant based in Irving, Texas, was formed in 1999 by merging Exxon and Mobil. With over 64,000 employees globally, it operates in more than 38 countries and produces oil in 23. ExxonMobil stands as the USA’s largest oil company and one of the biggest globally.
The corporation primarily focuses on petroleum, natural gas, coal, nuclear fuels, chemicals, and mineral ores. ExxonMobil also leads in synthetic rubber and plastics manufacturing. The company has a strong role in the upstream oil and gas industry and is among the largest refiners and marketers worldwide. Brands under the company include Mobil, Exxon, ExxonMobil Chemical, and Esso.
5. Rudolph and Sletten
Rudolph and Sletten is an American construction company based in San Carlos, California, with offices in San Diego, Roseville, Irvine, and San Francisco. Founded in 1959 by O.H. Rudolph and Kenneth G. Sletten, it employs over 500 people and operates in the United States and Canada.
Rudolph and Sletten ranks as one of the largest general contractors in the United States. They specialize in constructing healthcare, education, commercial, industrial, and governmental facilities. Some notable projects include the Apple Campus, San Diego Central Courthouse, San Leandro Medical Center, and Moffett Towers Office Park.
6. Newmont Mining Corporation
Newmont Mining Corporation is an American gold miner based in Greenwood Village, Colorado. Founded in 1921, it’s the world’s largest gold mining company. They operate mines in Australia, Ghana, Peru, and the United States, employing over 14,000 people globally.
Newmont is the only gold company in the S&P 500 Index. Besides gold, it produces copper, zinc, lead, and silver. Newmont boasts a strong portfolio of long-term mines and a pipeline of development and exploration projects.
7. Dow Chemical Company
The Dow Chemical Company, part of Dow Inc., is a major American chemical corporation based in Midland, Michigan. Founded in 1897 by Herbert Henry Dow, it employs over 54,000 people globally and operates in 160 countries. Before merging with E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, it ranked as the third-largest chemical company globally.
Dow, known as the “chemical company” for chemical companies, manufactures products for other industries rather than end users. Besides chemicals, Dow produces plastic and agricultural products, including performance plastics, performance chemicals, basic plastics, and water purification solutions.
8. PPG Industries
PPG Industries, Inc., based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, is an American multinational chemical company. Founded in 1883, it began as the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Company. Today, PPG employs over 47,000 people globally and operates in more than 70 countries. It’s a leading manufacturer of coatings, glass, and chemicals.
PPG Industries offers a variety of products for automotive, aerospace, construction, packaging, and industrial markets. Notable brands include Glidden, Olympic, and Pittsburgh Paints. PPG ranks as the second-largest paint company by revenue in 2021.
9. International Paper
International Paper, an American multinational pulp and paper company based in Memphis, Tennessee, was founded in 1898. It employs over 49,000 people globally and serves more than 25,000 customers in 150 countries. International Paper stands as the world’s largest paper company.
The company has three segments: industrial packaging, printing papers, and consumer packaging. Its products include corrugated packaging, envelopes, commercial printing papers, and office papers. Notable brands operated by International Paper include Hammermill and Springhill.
10. General Electronics
General Electric Company (GE) is an American multinational headquartered in Boston. Founded in 1892 by Charles A. Coffin, Thomas Edison, and J. P. Morgan, it employs over 168,000 people globally and operates in more than 100 countries. GE leads in providing digital industrial technology solutions.
GE works in many sectors like healthcare, aviation, digital industry, power, additive manufacturing, renewable energy, and rail transport. GE’s notable products and services include jet engines, electric and electronic equipment, and financial services.