In this section:

AUTO MANUFACTURING



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Ford adds Third Shift at KC's Plant for Transit and E-Transit Production
The Ford Kansas City Assembly Plant invests $95 million to upgrade its local manufacturing operation to make way for a third Transit shift and adding 1,100 employees.
The Kansas City Business Journal, April 2023

Chris Gutierrez_Color_web

Chris Gutierrez

President | KC SmartPort
816.591.7311
Chris leads KC SmartPort business development and provides thought leadership to the supply chain industry in Kansas City.

Automotive Manufacturing

As the automotive industry turns to electrification and other advanced technologies, proximity to key resources, an established centralized supply chain and having the right talent are of the utmost importance.

The Kansas City region is a top automotive logistics hub, home to major production facilities for both Ford and General Motors, as well as nearly 70 auto industry suppliers. Additionally, the Kansas City region is a nucleus of engineering, technology, and automotive manufacturing expertise with a strong talent pipeline and cutting edge training programs.

In the last decade, the Kansas City region has seen significant economic investment from the automotive sector. Reinvestment in General Motors’ Fairfax, Kan. operation ($265 million in 2018 and $650 million in 2013), Ford’s Claycomo, Mo. facility ($100 million in 2021, $400 million in 2019 and $1.2 billion in 2011), and Ford's stamping plant in Liberty, Mo. ($101 million in 2020, $5.8 million in 2019 and $260 million in 2011) has resulted in a surge of interest and investment from automotive suppliers looking to the KC region for new facilities. 

Kansas City's auto industry employs more than 21,000 individuals in the auto and transportation industry. Ford’s KC plant has been cited as its most productive worldwide, producing the new Ford Transit Van and best-selling F-150 truck.


The Basics

Mfg Employed Q2 2022

Employed in KC Manufacturing

JobsEQ, 2Q 2022
Note: Data represents KCADC 18-County Region






Employed Q1 2022

Employed in KC Transportation Manufacturing

JobsEQ, 1Q 2022
Note: Data represents KCADC 18-County Region




Autos Made 2022

Annual Automobiles made in KC

Center for Automotive Research, 2022






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Value of KC Transportation Manufacturing

2017 Economic Census


Existing Presence

Kansas City is a center for automotive manufacturing and activity as a host of prominent companies operate within the region. Some of these companies include, but are not limited to:
 
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Speed to Market

Kansas City is a move-in ready market with available Class A building inventory and a strong selection of vertical-ready sites. The region is expected to deliver over 10 million sq. ft. of new industrial space in 2023, which includes speculative and build-to-suit facilities.

Benefits of an Established Automotive Logistics Hub

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Ongoing supply chain investment from KC’s automotive industry 



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Streamlined supply chain operations and lower operating costs 



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Multi-modal transportation infrastructure



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Existing manufacturing and distribution operations mean quicker access to suppliers, partners and talent


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2nd largest rail center in the U.S.


Workforce Demographics

Manufacturing workers in Kansas City are 15.4% more productive than the national average, as measured by JobsEQ in Q4 2022 for output per worker. Automotive transportation production workers in Kansas City are 32% more productive than the national average. 

KC Engineering & Tech Talent


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For more information contact:

chris-gutierrez_color_webCHRIS GUTIERREZ
President | KC SmartPort

m: 816.591.7311
E-mail  LinkedIn  Twitter


elli-bowen_color_webELLI BOWEN
Vice President | KC SmartPort

m: 816.579.3370
E-mail  LinkedIn  Twitter


jill_color_0730_webJILL MCCARTHY
Senior Vice President, Corporate Attraction | KCADC

m: 816.591.1834
E-mail  LinkedIn  Twitter


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