Our History

A Century of Innovation

KBR’s history is built on the pioneers that set the standard across a variety of industries. Today, we continue that legacy by developing groundbreaking solutions for government and industry clients.

Our Foundation

M.W. Kellogg

In 1901, Morris Woodruff Kellogg opened M.W. Kellogg as a tiny pipe fabrication business in New York and grew it into a world-class engineering firm. Kellogg’s engineering expertise and thirst for innovation led to the creation of new technologies and industry milestones, including the world’s first catalytic cracking facility and Europe’s first crude oil–based liquid ethylene cracking facility. In the 1960s, Kellogg revolutionized fertilizer production through the creation of a new ammonia process, making a rapid growth in global food production possible. Many of the innovations that originated in the Kellogg laboratory provided the foundation for the petroleum refining and petrochemical processing facilities and remain an important part of KBR today.

Brown & Root^®

Brown & Root Engineering and Construction began operations in 1919 when brothers George and Herman Brown partnered with Herman’s brother-in-law, Dan Root, to create a Texas-based construction company. Brown & Root began building roads but quickly expanded into other areas. After the end of World War II, Brown & Root set its sights offshore. In 1947, the company achieved a global milestone when it constructed the first offshore oil platform 43 miles off the coast of Morgan City, LA.

Brown & Root built many of Houston’s landmark projects, including the Gulf Freeway, the Rice University football stadium, Minute Maid Park and what is now known as Johnson Space Center, among others. Many of the petrochemical tools and resources now standard in the construction industry were created by Brown & Root.

Kellogg Brown & Root^®

KBR was created in 1998 when M.W. Kellogg merged with Brown & Root Engineering and Construction, creating one of the world’s premiere engineering, procurement, construction (EPC) and services companies. In 2006, the company separated from Halliburton and completed a successful initial public offering on the New York Stock Exchange. And through acquisitions — including Ecoplanning, Energo, Granherne, GVA, HTSI, PLINKE, SGT, Weatherly, Wyle, Centauri and more — we've grown to provide comprehensive science, technology and engineering solutions for a wide range of markets — from aerospace and defense to industrial to intelligence and beyond.

Learn more about the solutions we deliver.

Our Future

KBR is always growing and evolving. As global demands change and markets transform, we'll be at the forefront, leading the way with innovative solutions and services that will solve tomorrow's challenges and define progress for years to come.