Americold Announces Plans for First Cold Storage Facility on CPKC Rail Network In Missouri
- February 22, 2024
Facility in Kansas City Will Help Connect Key U.S. Midwest and Mexico Markets
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – February 22, 2024 – Americold Realty Trust, a global leader in temperature-controlled logistics, real estate, and value-added services, today announced plans to develop its first facility, pending local approvals, through a strategic collaboration with Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) to co-locate Americold warehouse facilities on the CPKC network.
“Americold’s selection of Kansas City for its new facility is another example of Missouri’s ability to attract leading businesses,” said Governor Mike Parson. “This company’s decision speaks to the value of our strategic location, skilled workforce, and superior infrastructure. We look forward to Americold’s success as it strengthens supply chains for international trade and brings new investment to the Kansas City region.”
Americold is investing $127 million in the 335,000-square-foot facility in Kansas City, Missouri. The company plans to create nearly 190 new jobs in the region.
“We are excited to kick off our strategic collaboration with CPKC through our new Kansas City cold storage facility, expanding Americold’s presence in an important U.S. transportation hub,” said George Chappelle, CEO of Americold. “Combining our cold storage capabilities with CPKC’s extensive rail network enables Americold to deliver a differentiated offering to support more customers across North America. We look forward to further collaboration with CPKC to provide world-class service to more customers and strengthen the food supply chain.”
“Americold’s Kansas City facility marks the first of many new Americold warehouse facilities we intend to see built on the CPKC network as part of our strategic collaboration,” said Keith Creel, CPKC President and CEO. “Our unmatched Mexico Midwest Express (MMX) premium intermodal service will enable Americold customers to transport goods between the U.S. and Mexico more efficiently and effectively than ever before. We look forward to continuing to grow with Americold as we support the cold storage ecosystem.”
The new facility will support CPKC’s Mexico Midwest Express (MMX) service, North America’s only single-line rail service offering for refrigerated shippers between U.S. Midwest markets and Mexico. It will also enable more seamless and efficient service for MMX customers.
“Kansas City has a rich history as a center for commerce,” said Steven Anthony, Vice President of Business Development of the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri. “We’re at a natural crossroads for connection, so this feels like a great strategic move for Americold. Plus, we’re thrilled to be bringing nearly 190 well-paying new jobs to our great City.”
“As the most centrally located major U.S. market, Kansas City is a key industrial and transportation hub for North America,” said Chris Gutierrez, President of KC SmartPort, a strategic affiliate of the Kansas City Area Development Council. “Americold’s selection of Kansas City for its first facility in partnership with CPKC reinforces our region as a top choice for operational efficiency.”
Pending local approvals, the company plans to begin construction in the first half of 2024.
“Thanks to the contributions of our partners and our state’s economic advantages, this innovative company is creating even more opportunities for Missourians to prosper in Kansas City,” said Michelle Hataway, Acting Director of the Missouri Department of Economic Development.
“Americold is a leader in temperature-controlled storage and distribution, and we are proud to welcome them to our state’s large network of more than 20,000 distribution and logistics companies,” said Subash Alias, CEO of Missouri Partnership. “Positioned in the center of North America and boasting the second-lowest cost of doing business, Missouri stands out as a prime choice for global corporations like Americold.”
Missouri Partnership worked with several partners to attract Americold to Kansas City, including: the City of Kansas City, Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri, KC SmartPort, Missouri Department of Economic Development, Missouri One Start, Evergy, and Spire.
About Americold Realty Trust, Inc.
Americold is a global leader in temperature-controlled logistics real estate and value-added services. Focused on the ownership, operation, acquisition, and development of temperature-controlled warehouses, Americold owns and/or operates 243 temperature-controlled warehouses, with approximately 1.5 billion refrigerated cubic feet of storage, in North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and South America. Americold’s facilities are an integral component of the supply chain connecting food producers, processors, distributors, and retailers to consumers.
About Missouri Partnership
Missouri Partnership is a public-private economic development organization focused on attracting new jobs and investment to the state and promoting Missouri’s business strengths. Since 2008, Missouri Partnership has worked with partners statewide to attract companies that have created 33,100+ new jobs, $1.7 billion+ in new annual payroll, and $6.4 billion+ in new capital investment. Some recent successful projects that led to major investment in Missouri include Accenture Federal Services LLC, American Foods Group, Casey’s, Chewy, Inc., James Hardie, Meta, Swift Prepared Foods, URBN, USDA, and Veterans United.