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Missouri: The Center of Advanced Manufacturing Excellence

  • June 01, 2020

What do the best-selling trucks and vans in the U.S. have in common with fighter jets? They are all made right here in Missouri!

Missouri is a center for advanced manufacturing excellence, supported by a cost competitive, pro-business and innovative environment, exceptional talent, extensive training programs, access to raw materials, and a globally connected infrastructure. Missouri is a world leader in aerospace and automotive manufacturing, and exports more than $7.3 billion in advanced manufacturing products to more than 200 countries every year.

Missouri has nearly 6,500 manufacturing establishments employing more than 273,000 people, making up 9.8 percent of the state’s total employment. And that expertise touches numerous industries ranging from agricultural products to heavy duty trucks, and more.

Across the state, Missouri talent drives automotive manufacturing into the future with significant production from Ford and General Motors. Missouri’s automotive manufacturing plants are strategically located on the North American Automotive Alley that stretches from Toronto to Mexico City, and Missouri’s Kansas City area is the second largest automotive trade hub behind Detroit, according to Brookings.

Missouri talent makes more than 333,000 Ford F-Series trucks every year, in addition to the Ford Transit van, every Chevrolet Colorado and Express, and every GMC Canyon and Savana. Total production last year exceeded 770,000 vehicles.

In Missouri, we make it easy for automotive manufacturers to succeed. Since 2010, more than $4 billion has been invested in Missouri automotive facilities and we have supported this growth with strategic incentive programs.

But we make more than just trucks and vans here.

Missouri has a rich history in aviation, especially military aviation. From Charles Lindbergh, to the Mercury space program, to the latest in aerospace innovation by Boeing, Missouri has led the way in every aspect of aviation for nearly 100 years.

Today, that cutting-edge innovation continues with 100 aerospace manufacturing companies across Missouri, including Boeing, leading the way in every aspect of military aviation and equipment, and hundreds of suppliers who support these manufacturing companies. Boeing alone has more than 500 suppliers in Missouri. Our talent builds the F/A-18, EA-18, F-15 and T-7 fighter jets, the MQ-25 unmanned refueller, composite parts for the 777X, and a huge array of military ordinance.

All of this adds up to one thing: Missouri is a prime choice for advanced manufacturing companies that are looking for an existing pipeline of suppliers and world-class talent.

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