In this section:

MANUFACTURING

KC LOCATION ADVANTAGES

EXISTING PRESENCE

Manufacturing

The Kansas City region is at the forefront of a renaissance in American manufacturing. The KC region’s manufacturing industry is expected to grow by more than 7 percent by 2024, despite an almost 7 percent decrease nationwide. This regional activity is highlighted by over $1.5 billion in new investments by legacy American automakers Ford Motor Company and General Motors.

The Kansas City region is actively enhancing our regional and global manufacturing competitiveness. Kansas City is centrally located and boasts a diverse industry base. The region is supported by a robust supply-chain network and excellent transportation and logistics services.

Automotive Manufacturing

The Kansas City region contributes a significant impact to the U.S. automotive industry. With Ford Motor Co. and General Motors calling this region home to large manufacturing plants, along with their suppliers, the region produced $21 billion in GDP for the local region. General Motors, Kansas City, Kansas, is in the middle of investing about $390 million into the Fairfax Assembly Plant for the production of the new Ultium-based Chevrolet Bolt EV. In Spring 2024, Ford Motor Co. introduced its newest line of the F-150 Ford pickup truck, which is the most popular automobile in the U.S. The assembly line is capable of producing 5,000 trucks per week.

Food Manufacturing

Kansas City’s more than $5 billion food manufacturing industry continues to thrive with proximity to agriculture and markets, advanced logistics infrastructure and industry-specific talent. More than 700 industrial food companies in KC take advantage of being in the heart of the U.S.’s agricultural region where major ingredients like flour, meat and milk products are readily available. Many well-known brands like General Mills, Bimbo, Hormel, Hiland Dairy and Hills Pet Nutrition are in the KC region paving the way for others to locate here like Daily’s Premium Meats and C.J. Foods. Learn more

Plastics Manufacturing

The KC region is home to a number of plastics dependent industries like automotive, food and packaging that use plastics to make many in-demand products. The region’s strategic North American location offers advanced logistics infrastructure and access to the global supply chain that attracted international companies like Logoplaste and Zhong Cheng Packaging to the KC area to join big names like Berry Plastics Corp. and Sonoco Plastics.

For more information contact:

CHRIS GUTIERREZ
President | KC SmartPort
Email | LinkedIn
816.591.7311

ELLI HOUSTON
Vice President | KC SmartPort
Email | LinkedIn
816.579.3370

JILL McCARTHY
Senior Vice President, Corporate Attraction | KCADC
Email | LinkedIn
816.591.1834