Eleven suppliers to Ford and GM have located new operations in the Kansas City region in the last 24 months following significant local reinvestment by both automakers. A recent panel featuring some of the nation’s biggest names in the global automotive supply chain confirmed a number of unique assets that make KC an ideal location for companies serving the automotive industry.
The panel addressed a crowd of nearly 500 KC area transportation, distribution, real estate and economic development professionals last week at KC SmartPort’s annual industry briefing, KC Velocity.
Chris Gutierrez, president of KC SmartPort said, “The panelists’ comments confirmed that the KC region’s productive and skilled workforce, our cooperative business environment and our region’s strategic role in the growth of Ford and GM will continue to drive new investment from the auto industry and its suppliers.”
Panelists represented a cross-section of the automotive industry including General Motors, Ford, major global auto suppliers, industry research and trends, and site location. They included: Brandon Podolski, Principal, Plante Moran CRESA; Kim Hill, Director of Economic Development Strategies, Center for Automotive Research; Bill Kulhanek, Plant Manager, General Motors Fairfax; Don Maahs, Vice President, Sales & Marketing, Magna Cosma; and Birgit Behrendt, Vice President, Global Programs & Purchasing Operations, Ford Motor Company. Ms. Behrendt also provided the morning’s keynote presentation.
The prevailing theme of the discussion was the KC region’s role as a critical node within the auto manufacturing network, given the strength of the Ford and GM product lines produced in the area.
“Kansas City is home to one of the strongest product line ups in North America,” said Maahs. “That fact alone makes Kansas City a very attractive investment opportunity for the companies supplying Ford and GM.”
“The F-150 and Transit Van are the backbone of Ford’s growth … these two vehicles make Kansas City the largest plant by volume globally for Ford,” said Behrendt in her keynote remarks. “KC offers Ford the ultimate integrated supply chain … a world-class logistics hub where we can ship product to the world from KC to support our customers across the globe.”
“GM’s Kansas City plant is one of the most efficient and highest quality rated in the GM network,” said Kulhanek, cited as one of the reasons GM’s Fairfax facility will host GM CEO Mary Barra next week to celebrate the company’s 500 millionth vehicle produced.
Other topics included the Kansas City area’s highly valuable workforce and strong support for the automotive industry.
“The work ethic in Kansas City is unparalleled,” said Behrendt. “The Kansas City workforce is motivated, proud of what they do, adaptable and embraces complexity. This is not something that can be trained, but is in the blood line of the workforce in this area.”
About KC SmartPort
KC SmartPort is the authority on logistics opportunities in the 18-county, bi-state Kansas City region. A non-profit economic development organization, KC SmartPort promotes and enhances the Kansas City region’s status as a leading North American logistics hub. KC SmartPort is affiliated with the Kansas City Area Development Council, the regional economic development organization for the 18-county Kansas City metro.
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