Missouri’s Automotive Industry Continues Growth Trajectory
- March 30, 2016
Grupo Antolin becomes the 11th automotive company to locate in Kansas City’s Hunt Midwest SubTropolis.
Grupo Antolin, an automotive parts manufacturer, has leased 36,000 square feet in Kansas City’s Hunt Midwest SubTropolis, an underground business complex.
Grupo Antolin is the 11th automotive company to locate in the Hunt underground complex, and companion surface facility since 2011. Other companies include Adrian Steel, Knapheide Manufacturing Co., Ground Effects, Midway Ford, Auto Truck Group, AER Manufacturing, Caseco, Leggett & Platt CVP, XPO Logistics and Clore Automotive.
Grupo Antolin designs, manufactures, and supplies automotive overhead systems, door functions and seat functions for major auto manufacturers worldwide, including Ford and General Motors. The company is headquartered in Spain.
In an article on Area Development’s website, Steve Woodward, Grupo Antolin logistics and supply chain systems manager, said the Spanish company chose SubTropolis because it has a wide range of warehousing options as well as superior climate control, round-the-clock security and affordable operational costs. The number one consideration, however, was location. “SubTropolis’ proximity to both the Ford and General Motors plants in Kansas City.
“After operating for several months on a temporary basis in Automotive Alley, we knew we had found the ideal location for our growing regional warehouse operations, and we look forward to adding to our presence in SubTropolis,” Woodward said.
In 2013, the Missouri Partnership worked with Grupo Antolin and their site selection consultants from Plante Moran Cresa as the company set up their first facility in Missouri. Many local partners have also been involved in Grupo’s success in Kansas City, including the Kansas City Area Development Council, the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, and Kansas City Power and Light.
Grupo Antolin originally aimed to create 118 new jobs in the Kansas City area, however they quickly surpassed that number and currently employ around 300 workers. With the move into the Hunt Midwest complex, Grupo Antolin can expect to see this growth continue for years to come.
For more information on Missouri’s automotive manufacturing industry visit http://www.missouripartnership.com/Industries/Missouris-Industries/Advanced-Manufacturing