Americold to establish new facility in KC, creating 187 new jobs
Kansas City, Mo. — Americold, a global leader in temperature-controlled logistics, real estate, and value-added services, announced today that it will establish its first facility in Kansas City, investing $127 million and creating 187 new jobs.
The facility, part of Americold’s strategic collaboration with Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC), will allow for connection among key U.S. and Mexico markets.
Americold already operates one of the largest underground storage warehouses in the country in Carthage.
“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’s 335,000-square-foot facility will be strategically located in Kansas City to 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. The company’s new facility will enable more seamless and efficient service for MMX customers. By combining CPKC’s leading fleet of temperature-protected intermodal containers with Americold’s cold storage logistics expertise, the companies will help customers bypass truck congestion and reduce transit times, transport costs, and food waste.
“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 facilities are an integral component of the supply chain that connect food producers, processors, distributors, and retailers to consumers. Its new Kansas City facility will be a temperature-controlled warehouse along the CPKC railway that will be used to preserve U.S. produced meats, frozen produce, baked goods, and candy destined to Mexico.
“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 Department of Economic Development.
For this expansion, Americold will benefit from the Missouri Works program, a tool that helps companies expand and retain workers by providing access to capital through withholdings or tax credits for job creation. The company is also receiving assistance from Missouri One Start, a division of the Department of Economic Development. Missouri One Start assists eligible businesses with their recruitment and training needs.
“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.”
“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.”
“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.”