Category Archives: KCADC

Industrial Battery Manufacturer to Open U.S. Headquarters and Assembly Operation in the KC Region

LIBERTY, Mo. – January 17, 2024 – The Kansas City Area Development Council announced today that TAB, an international manufacturer of industrial, SLI and lithium-ion batteries, selected Liberty, Missouri, for a 66,700-square-foot facility, investing $15 million and creating 50 jobs over the next five years.

As the first North American facility for the company, TAB USA will locate in Building C at Liberty Heartland Logistics Center, an industrial park owned and developed in partnership between The Opus Group and Washington Capital Management, Inc., on behalf of its institutional clients, and represented by Newmark Zimmer.

“The selection of Missouri as the home of TAB USA’s first North American facility reaffirms our state’s strategic advantages for growing companies,” said Missouri Governor Mike Parson. “We have created a pro-business environment that provides stability for businesses as they enter the U.S. market or expand within it. Missouri stands ready to support the growth and success of TAB USA as it embarks on this exciting journey from its new U.S. headquarters.”

In addition to serving as TAB USA’s headquarters, facility operations will also include industrial battery assembly, distribution and sales. The company noted the Kansas City region’s central location and strong workforce as major factors in their selection. The new location will provide TAB USA with proximity to its current North American customer base and the opportunity to distribute products quickly throughout North and South America.

“The new facility in Liberty will allow TAB increased capabilities for distribution throughout North America and access to a skilled local workforce,” said Troy Livingston, CEO of TAB USA. “Whether in our vehicles or homes, batteries and electrical storage are an integral part of daily life, and TAB USA has the products our customers need to successfully power their lives and businesses.”

“With a 60-year history of battery production, this establishment of our U.S. headquarters confirms our legacy as a leading global energy supplier,” said Mag. Bogomir Auprih, Chairman of the Board of TAB. “The Kansas City region is an ideal hub, offering the positive business environment we need to achieve our goals.”

The new facility is projected to open in Q2 of 2024, with TAB USA planning to make additional investments over the first five years of operation to accommodate growth and the need for increased capacity.

Offering a business-friendly environment, strong workforce and robust logistics infrastructure, Liberty continues to attract significant industrial projects, resulting in approximately $1.2 billion in investments and nearly 7,400 jobs in the last two years.

“We are pleased to welcome TAB USA to Liberty as the company’s first facility in North America and as its U.S. headquarters,” said Liberty, Missouri Mayor Greg Canuteson. “This major investment highlights Liberty’s prime location for manufacturing and distribution throughout the United States and our City Council’s dedication to fostering a welcoming business environment.”

The Kansas City region is a leading North American industrial hub, with 70 million square feet of industrial development delivered in the last ten years and an unmatched central location that gives companies the advantage of providing two-day shipping to 90% of the contiguous U.S.

“TAB USA’s selection of Liberty, Missouri, for its first North American facility underscores the strategic advantages of the Kansas City region as a leading industrial hub and major attractor of foreign direct investment,” said Elli Bowen, vice president of KC SmartPort, a strategic affiliate of the Kansas City Area Development Council. “Our region continues to attract companies looking to expand or invest in new operations in North America, thanks to prime access to transportation networks, an established talent pipeline and available Class A industrial product, and we’re excited to see TAB USA join that growing list.”

About TAB

TAB creates durable, powerful and innovative batteries for the industrial and automotive sectors, producing a wide range of flooded lead-acid, VRLA AGM, VRLA Gel, SLI and lithium-ion batteries in locations across the world. Its high-quality batteries are distributed throughout Europe, Asia and North America. | www.tab.si

About the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC)

Serving the 18-county, two-state Kansas City area, the Kansas City Area Development Council is an economic development nonprofit that promotes the region’s business and lifestyle assets to companies and talent around the world. Working closely with its two states, and 50-plus county and community partners, the region has attracted more than 64,000 new jobs over its 45-year history. KCADC also leads the efforts behind the KC Animal Health Corridor, KC SmartPort, TeamKC, KC Global Design and KC Heartland. | onekc.org

2023 KCADC Annual Meeting Ignites Rally Cry to Come Together with “All Heart” as Region Shines on Global Stage

The annual event brought together 2,000 local civic and business leaders to celebrate the region’s successes, including $766 million in capital investment and 2,400+ jobs

KANSAS CITY – Nov. 16, 2023 – Today, the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC) hosted the KC region’s largest business luncheon to recognize another high-performing year and rally leaders from across the 18-county region.

In 2023, KCADC and its partners attracted 14 companies to the region, representing $766 million in capital investment, 2,407 jobs, $123 million in wages and 4 million square feet of space. Pointing to major new investments from companies including Ace Hardware, Chick-fil-A Supply, DSM, URBN and more, speakers at the Annual Meeting emphasized that KC’s momentum continues to drive forward.

“When our business community comes together, we all perform better. By creating positive and memorable experiences we attract new jobs and investment to our KC region,” said Ora Reynolds, president and CEO of Hunt Midwest and KCADC Board of Directors co-chair. “Hunt Midwest and KCADC work together to transform the landscape of every community and relationship we touch by focusing on a customer-first approach.”

KCADC called on leaders to think big and embrace the power of partnership as the region continues to thrive in a variety of sectors, including manufacturing and distribution, animal health, technology, data centers and more.

Attendees were emboldened to capitalize on this momentum to empower Kansas City’s spotlight on the global stage, accentuated by major sports wins and the FIFA World Cup™ in 2026. Annual Meeting keynote speaker and owner of the Savannah Bananas baseball phenomenon, Jesse Cole, echoed this opportunity with his “Fans First” philosophy, sharing how leaders can create unforgettable experiences and foster passionate fans for both their businesses and the region as a whole.

“The secret of the KC region is out, and showing up big right now will shape our region’s future for decades to come,” said Tim Cowden, president and CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council. “We have a strong pipeline of companies considering the region that could bring even more big wins in 2024. It’s all of us, together, making it happen.”

Consistently ranked as a top regional economic development group, KCADC serves as an essential resource for locating businesses and talent to the region and was recently recognized as a finalist in the City Nation Place Awards for Best Communications Strategy. To learn more about KCADC and its business and talent attraction strategies for the region, visit onekc.org.

About the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC)

Serving the 18-county, two-state Kansas City area, the Kansas City Area Development Council is an economic development nonprofit that promotes the region’s business and lifestyle assets to companies and talent around the world. Working closely with its two states, and 50-plus county and community partners, the region has attracted more than 64,000 new jobs over its 45-year history. KCADC also leads the efforts behind the KC Animal Health Corridor, KC SmartPort, TeamKC, KC Heartland and KC Global Design. | onekc.org

Kansas City Area Development Council Recognized as International Award Finalist for Talent-Focused Marketing & Communications Strategy

The organization was the only U.S. finalist for City Nation Place’s Best Communication Strategy Award, recognized for its video campaign, “The KC Design Draft”

Kansas City Region – Nov. 9, 2023 – The Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC) announced today that it was recognized as a finalist for the City Nation Place Global Awards held in London.

The award category, “Communications Strategy: Economic Development,” recognizes campaigns that best exemplify the strategic aim of attracting investment or talent. KCADC’s strategy was the only one from the U.S. to be recognized as a finalist, competing against campaigns from New Zealand, Denmark, Canada, Scotland and Lithuania. 

“KC is an amazing place to live and work – and KCADC is proud to help tell that story to the world, ” said Jonathan Knecht, senior vice president of marketing and creative services at KCADC. “International recognition like this helps us shine a spotlight that puts the entire KC region on a global stage. ”

The finalist campaign, called KC Design Draft, was developed for KCADC’s strategic initiative focused on the region’s design and construction industry, KC Global Design, in collaboration with Kansas City-based engineering and construction firm, Burns & McDonnell, along with investor firms, BNIM, HNTB and JE Dunn and media partners, Spectrum Reach and Steel City Media. The video campaign worked to attract top-tier talent and launched in parallel to the NFL Draft, which Kansas City hosted in April 2023.

“Kansas City is a hub for design and construction talent and there are endless opportunities here,” said Melissa Lavin, vice president, marketing and external communications, Burns & McDonnell, and board member of KC Global Design. “Kansas Citians make a global impact by designing and building the world’s critical infrastructure and most important projects.”

A creative take on how the region’s architecture, engineering and construction firms “draft” highly-skilled talent to their companies, the video featured cameo appearances from local celebrities, including acclaimed multimedia journalist Abby Eden, entrepreneur and renowned film critic Shawn Edwards and Emmy-winning sports broadcaster Joel Goldberg. 

Capitalizing on the momentum for Kansas City during and following the Draft, the video amassed more than 400,000 impressions among early career professionals across the Midwest. This potential talent pool was guided to a curated aggregate of more than 1,100 open job positions at KC Global Design firms across the metro.

“KC design and construction firms are making an incredible impact on a global scale – creating stadiums, power systems, communities and infrastructure around the world. But it’s the collaboration that exists here that truly sets our market apart,” said Ashley McDonald, managing director of KC Global Design at KCADC. “With more than 1,000 firms, connecting that innovation and expertise not only elevates the industry but the entire KC region, serving as a beacon for the most in-demand talent.”

Functioning as the Kansas City region’s sales and marketing team and serving as an essential resource for locating businesses and talent to the region, KCADC has been consistently recognized as a top economic development organization in the country by Development Counsellors International and Site Selection Magazine.

About KCADC

The Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC) serves the 18-county, two-state Kansas City area by marketing the region’s business and lifestyle assets to companies around the world. Working closely with its two states, and 50-plus county and community partners, the region has attracted more than 64,000 new jobs over its 45-plus-year history. Leading the efforts behind the KC Animal Health Corridor, KC SmartPort, TeamKC, KC Heartland and KC Global Design, KCADC’s clients consistently rank the organization as a top regional economic development group in the nation. | onekc.org

US Motor Works’ Selection of the KC Region Hits the Headlines

On August 25, 2023, US Motor Works, a manufacturer and distributor of after-market automotive parts, announced its $19.2 million investment in a new, 167,000-square-foot fulfillment center in Liberty, Missouri.

The news of the facility garnered local, national and industry trade media attention, generating more than 84,900 views from coverage with an audience reach of 10 million.

Media Highlights

US Motor Works to Open 167,000-Sq.-Ft. Fulfillment Center in the KC Region

LIBERTY, Mo. – August 25, 2023 – The Kansas City Area Development Council announced today that US Motor Works, a manufacturer and distributor of after-market automotive parts, is investing $19.2 million in a new, 167,000-square-foot fulfillment center in Liberty, Missouri.

“Being centrally located in the U.S. and specifically in the Kansas City area, our new facility will be three days away from 90% of the country by truck,” said Gil Benjamin, president and CEO of US Motor Works. “This new fulfillment center will not only allow us to serve our customers better, but it will also allow our products and brands to continue growing without space limitations.”

“We’re excited to welcome US Motor Works to Missouri as it continues to grow its family-owned business across North America,” said Governor Mike Parson. “The strategic choice of Missouri underscores the significance of our state’s central location, well-trained workforce, and business-friendly environment, which collectively positions us as a premier logistics hub. Missouri continues to be appealing for companies searching for an optimal place to expand their business.”

The facility, which will be located at the Heartland Meadows Industrial Park, will allow US Motor Works to centralize distribution, expand capabilities and shorten delivery times. The company currently operates in six North American facilities, with headquarters in Santa Fe Springs, California. 

“The Liberty City Council has committed to a welcoming and vibrant economic development environment, with the goal of bringing corporate investment and jobs to our city,” said Greg Canuteson, Mayor of the City of Liberty. “As we welcome US Motor Works to Liberty, we are proud of the business culture that we have created over the past decade that has brought great job opportunities for the Liberty and KC metro areas. Heartland Meadows is a fixture in our community and we look forward to welcoming another industry-leading tenant to the industrial park that is nearing capacity.”

“Missouri continues to be a top location for businesses that need to get their products to consumers quickly,” said Subash Alias, CEO of Missouri Partnership. “US Motor Works is a global automotive manufacturer with a large network of customers, and having this facility here in Missouri will help them maintain their high standards of excellent customer service. Logistics and automotive manufacturing are two of the state’s largest industries, and we are excited to welcome US Motor Works to Missouri.”

A leading U.S. logistics hub, the Kansas City region offers a central location, skilled workforce and robust industrial market. Ranked among the top automotive industry locations in the country and supported by an abundant infrastructure and transportation network, the area serves as a key location for companies looking to optimize their supply chain operations.

“The KC region continues to attract major industrial investment, with companies like US Motor Works choosing the area as they strive to serve their customers better and faster than ever before,” said Chris Gutierrez, president of KC SmartPort. “With more than 70 million square feet of industrial development in the last ten years and more than 190,000 skilled workers, KC has established itself as a leading center for distribution operations within North America.”

The facility is projected to operate at full capacity in January 2024.

About US Motor Works

Family-owned and operated since 1995, US Motor Works is a company on the move in the automotive marketplace, with six locations in North America and over 300 employees. US Motor Works has been expanding operations rapidly over the past five years. The company services OES, traditional automotive, heavy duty automotive and the performance aftermarket with five brands, USMW Professional Series, USWM Heavy Duty, OSC Automotive, Derale Performance and Pacer Performance. Products include water pumps, fan clutches, fuel pumps, radiators, condensers, heater cores, HD charge air coolers, cab roof lights, rubber flares and a full line of performance cooling products. | www.usmotorworks.com

About the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC)

Serving the 18-county, two-state Kansas City area, the Kansas City Area Development Council is an economic development nonprofit that promotes the region’s business and lifestyle assets to companies and talent around the world. Working closely with its two states, and 50-plus county and community partners, the region has attracted more than 64,000 new jobs over its 45-year history. KCADC also leads the efforts behind the KC Animal Health Corridor, KC SmartPort, TeamKC, KC Global Design and KC Heartland. | onekc.org

About Greater Kansas City

Home to 2.5 million people, Kansas City is a vibrant metro in the heart of the U.S., known as the “KC Heartland.” The KC region is a center for leading industries including technology, logistics, animal health and entrepreneurship, and is home to a renowned arts community. | www.KC.org

KC Gains Media Attention as EV Battery Additive Manufacturer Chooses the Region for North American HQ

On August 2, 2023, Cnano Technology USA announced its planned investment in a $94.7 million manufacturing facility in New Century, Kansas. The company will use the new facility to create liquid conductive paste, a component used for a variety of electronic applications, including batteries for electric vehicles, cell phones and power tools.

The news of the facility garnered local, national and industry trade media attention, generating more than 74,000 views from coverage with an audience reach of 11.7 million.

National/Industry Trade Highlights

Local Media Highlights

International Companion Animal Pharmaceutical Company Locates HQ in KC & Makes Industry Headlines

On July 11, 2023, Felixvet, an upcoming manufacturer of generic pharmaceuticals in the companion animal industry, announced its plans to locate its North American headquarters in the Briarcliff development in Kansas City, Missouri.

The news of the innovative facility garnered the attention from a variety of industry trade media outlets, generating coverage with an audience reach of 45 million.

Media Highlights

International Manufacturer of Electric Vehicle Components Selects KC Region for North American Headquarters

New Century, Kan. – August 2, 2023 – The Kansas City Area Development Council announced today that international company Cnano Technology USA, Inc. plans to invest $94.7 million in a 333,000-square-foot manufacturing facility at the New Century Commerce Center. The new facility is expected to create 112 jobs with a payroll of $7.1 million.

Cnano will use the new facility to create liquid conductive paste, a component used for a variety of electronic applications, including batteries for electric vehicles, cell phones and power tools.

“Cnano Technology is incredibly excited to partner with Johnson County to build out a new U.S. facility to manufacture conductive and structural additive products for the lithium-ion battery, rubber and polymer, and composite markets,” said Shawn Montgomery, president of Cnano Technology USA, Inc. “We’re proud to bring cutting-edge technology, investment dollars and, most importantly, jobs to the region.”

Located in Johnson County in the southwest area of the Kansas City region, the New Century Commerce Center is a multimodal industrial center offering direct access to air, rail and interstate transportation over 2,700 acres.

“We are pleased to welcome Cnano to the New Century Commerce Center, joining over 60 multinational businesses who are leaders in the fields of warehousing, distribution, printing, food processing, manufacturing and avionics,” said Johnson County Board of County Commissioners Chairman Mike Kelly. “In addition to the more than 110 jobs this company will create, I appreciate the science and innovation coming into our community and look forward to the impact EV batteries will ultimately make towards decreasing vehicle emissions and helping to protect our planet.”

Cnano’s new facility will be located in a Class-A spec building in the Commerce Center, which was developed in an 850-acre public-private partnership, publicly by Johnson County Government and the Johnson County Airport Commission, privately by VanTrust Real Estate and marketed by CBRE. Newmark Zimmer represented Cnano in their site search.

“VanTrust is proud to partner with Johnson County as the master developer for the New Century Commerce Center. When fully completed, we expect to have more than 7 million square feet of industrial space developed. We welcome the significant new investment and manufacturing jobs that the area will experience due to Cnano’s selection of New Century for their North American headquarters,” said Justin Duff, vice president of VanTrust Real Estate.

The Kansas City region continues to see massive industrial growth, particularly in the area of electric vehicle development, recently including Panasonic Energy’s plans to build a $4 billion electric vehicle battery manufacturing facility in De Soto, Kansas.

“As a thriving hub for manufacturing and logistics, the Kansas City region is a highly attractive choice for innovative companies, including Cnano, to locate their operations,” said Chris Gutierrez, president of KC SmartPort. “With the most central location in the U.S., available real estate options and access to more than 190,000 skilled industrial workers, KC continues to stake its claim in the attraction of industrial innovation.”

A leading North American logistics hub and key location for manufacturing, distribution and e-commerce, the Kansas City region has delivered 70 million square feet of industrial development in the last ten years and employs more than 190,000 people in the manufacturing and logistics industry.

About Cnano Technology

Cnano Technology USA is a world leader in the production of engineered nano-carbon products used in energy storage applications. Cnano Technology has a commitment to the research and development, production, and sales of carbon nanotubes and graphene, as well as application development. A global technical pioneer, Cnano Technology’s commercial applications include materials for lithium-ion batteries, conductive polymer composites, antistatic coatings, tire rubber reinforcement and other markets.  For more information, contact Cnano Technology USA at (888) 451-4283.

About VanTrust Real Estate, LLC

VanTrust Real Estate, LLC is a full-service real estate development company that has been named NAIOP’s 2023 Developer of the Year. The company acquires and develops real estate assets for the Van Tuyl family portfolio and offers a broad range of real estate services including acquisition, disposition, development, development services, corporate services, and asset management. Product types include office, industrial, multifamily, science + technology and mixed-use. VanTrust works nationally with regional offices in Columbus, Dallas, Phoenix, and Jacksonville with its headquarters in Kansas City, Missouri. For more information, visit www.vantrustre.com.

About the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC)

Serving the 18-county, two-state Kansas City area, the Kansas City Area Development Council is an economic development nonprofit that promotes the region’s business and lifestyle assets to companies and talent around the world. Working closely with its two states, and 50-plus county and community partners, the region has attracted more than 64,000 new jobs over its 45-year history. KCADC also leads the efforts behind the KC Animal Health Corridor, KC SmartPort, TeamKC, KC Global Design and KC Heartland. | onekc.org

About Greater Kansas City

Home to 2.5 million people, Kansas City is a vibrant metro in the heart of the U.S., known as the “KC Heartland.” The KC region is a center for leading industries including technology, logistics, animal health and entrepreneurship, and is home to a renowned arts community. | www.KC.org

International Pharmaceutical Company Chooses Kansas City for North American Headquarters

Kansas City, Mo. – July 11, 2023 – The KC Animal Health Corridor is pleased to announce that Felixvet, an upcoming manufacturer of generic pharmaceuticals in the companion animal industry, selected Briarcliff, a northern suburb of Kansas City, Missouri, for its North American headquarters.

The company, based out of Ireland, decided to establish its presence in the KC region due to the strategic advantages of being situated within the Animal Health Corridor, the world’s largest concentration of animal health companies. The new office will serve as the center to support commercial and regulatory operations throughout the United States and Canada.

“We are confident that Felixvet is poised to become one of the leading companion animal generic drug companies globally,” said Vince Palasota, President of North America at Felix. “With our extensive pipeline, quick response capabilities, and deep understanding of ANADA and brand competition strategies, we believe the veterinarian and marketing partners will recognize the significant value-added benefits we bring to the table.”

Neeraj Agrawal, CEO of Felix, stated, “We recently obtained FDA approval for India’s first oral solid dose facility dedicated to Animal Health pharmaceuticals and are nearing completion of our sterile fill injectable plant. Currently, Felixvet has been granted nine approvals for the United State market, with three additional products anticipated for approval by the end of 2023. These advancements give us a distinct competitive advantage in the animal health sector as we introduce our portfolio of products to the market.

The KC region is located in the heart of the Animal Health Corridor, encompassing 56 percent of global animal health, diagnostics and pet food sales. Representing more than 300 animal health companies in the region, the KC Animal Health Corridor, an affiliate of the Kansas City Area Development Council, offers an unparalleled ecosystem for growth and collaboration.

“We are proud to welcome Felixvet, a business committed to advancing animal health through high-quality pharmaceuticals, to the Kansas City region,” said Kimberly Young, president of the KC Animal Health Corridor. “Here, Felix will enjoy proximity to many of their industry clients who call the KC Animal Health Corridor home, as well as abundant access to distribution resources and a robust animal health industry network.”

About Felixvet: 

Founded in 2015 by Dr. Shumeet Banerji, Jon Symonds and Neeraj Agrawal, Felix is in the business of developing bio-equivalent generic pharmaceutical products for companion animals upon patent expiry. The company’s initial focus is to market and distribute these products in the U.S., upon approval by the Food and Drug Administration. Felix aims to be the first truly global generic companion animal pharmaceutical player focusing on the top 10 veterinary markets of the world. It aims to make bio-equivalent generics available at affordable prices from cGMP-compliant manufacturing plants.

About the KC Animal Health Corridor:

Representing more than half of the global animal health industry’s sales, and home to over 300 animal health companies, the KC Animal Health Corridor is the largest concentration of its kind worldwide. Anchored by Manhattan, Kansas, and Columbia, Missouri, the Corridor serves as a thriving hub for innovation and collaboration. For more information, please visit www.kcanimalhealth.com.

About the Kansas City Area Development Council (KCADC):

Serving the 18-county, two-state Kansas City area, the Kansas City Area Development Council is an economic development nonprofit that promotes the region’s business and lifestyle assets to companies and talent around the world. Working closely with its two states, and 50-plus county and community partners, the region has attracted more than 64,000 new jobs over its 45-year history. KCADC also leads the efforts behind the KC Animal Health Corridor, KC SmartPort, TeamKC, KC Heartland and KC Global Design. | onekc.com

Global Company’s Choice of KC Makes Animal Health Industry Headlines

On May 1, 2023, global pet food manufacturer, DSM, announced plans to build a next-generation nutritional premix plant in Tonganoxie, Kansas.

The news of the innovative facility drew the attention of industry trade media from around the country, generating 25 pieces of coverage with an audience reach of 9.8 million.

National & Industry Trade Media Highlights

Local Media Highlights