Ford Automotive Parts Supplier Expands to Kansas City

Grupo Antolin North America to invest nearly $16M, create 118 new jobs

KANSAS CITY, Mo., Nov. 21, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Kansas City Area Development Council announced today that Grupo Antolin North America will invest more than $15.7 million in a 148,800-sq.-ft. automotive manufacturing facility at 1601 Southern Road, creating an estimated 118 new jobs.

Grupo Antolin's state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Kansas City will initially produce interior overhead liners for the new Ford Transit van, which will be manufactured at Ford's Kansas City Assembly Plant in Claycomo, Mo. 

"Kansas City represents enormous opportunities for Grupo Antolin," said Max Rogers, president of Grupo Antolin North America. "Missouri's friendly corporate climate and close proximity to major automakers put us in a position to better serve our clients and continue to grow."

"Grupo's investment demonstrates our region's strength as a manufacturing and transportation powerhouse," said Bob Marcusse, president and CEO, Kansas City Area Development Council.  "Ford's Kansas City Assembly Plant, currently undergoing a $1.1 billion expansion, was the nation's busiest auto plant last year, producing nearly a half-million units." 

"The Kansas City region is seeing significant job creation from automotive industry suppliers due to the massive reinvestment from our local auto manufacturers including Ford and GM," said Chris Gutierrez, president, KC SmartPort.  "Manufacturers are attracted to KC for our worker productivity, affordability and central location."

The Kansas City Area Development Council worked with a number of partners to bring Grupo Antolin to Kansas City, including the State of Missouri; Missouri Partnership; City of Kansas City, Missouri; Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri; KCP&L; Missouri Gas Energy; Industrial Park Realty/Mid-West Terminal Warehouse Company and KC SmartPort. 

About Grupo Antolin

Grupo Antolin is an international automotive parts manufacturing company.  Headquartered in Spain, Grupo Antolin has 100 manufacturing plants and 22 offices in 25 countries, including nine facilities in the United States. www.grupoantolin.com

About KC SmartPort

KC SmartPort is the authority on logistics and opportunities in the 18-county, bi-state Kansas City region. KC SmartPort is affiliated with the Kansas City Area Development Council, the regional economic development organization for the 18-county Kansas City metro.  www.KCSmartPort.com

About Greater Kansas City

Home to 2.5 million people, the Kansas City region offers the benefits of more than 50 unique communities and 18 counties in Kansas and Missouri. Contact KCADC to learn more about business and career opportunities in the Greater KC area. www.thinkKC.com 

SOURCE Kansas City Area Development Council