Up to 300 new jobs could be on the way to Platte County after a company recently finished its 275,560 square foot facility in Riverside, Mo.’s Horizons Parkway industrial area. Tutera Group, known for its development of retail, office, senior living and health care facilities nationwide, completed the new automotive manufacturing facility for Martinrea International Inc. The new plant will enable the Ontario-based company to manufacture welded, corrosion-resistant engine cradles and automotive assemblies for the nearby General Motors Fairfax production plant in Kansas City, Kan.
“Tutera Group is very pleased with the successful outcome of this important project for Martinrea, an industry leader in automotive manufacturing,” said Joe Tutera, CEO of the Tutera Group. “The professionalism of the City of Riverside, as well as the expertise of the development team enabled us to build the international company’s first build-to-suit manufacturing plant on time and on budget.”
Regarded as one of the Kansas City region’s top industrial real estate deals in 2014, the Martinrea Riverside LLC plant is expected to bring up to 300 new jobs to the 15.2-acre site located at 5233 NW 41st St. in Riverside. Martinrea, a Tier One automotive supplier, broke ground last April in a ceremony that included Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon.
According to a press release, the full-service design of the new facility will enable four different manufacturing processes — stamping, welding, e-coating and modular assembly — all under one roof, creating time and cost saving efficiencies for both Martinrea and their GM client.
Martinrea is the second major automobile manufacturing plant to set up there.
“This new building construction further solidifies Riverside and Platte County as leaders for the industrial sector,” Alicia Stephens, executive director of the Platte County Economic Development Council, said in an email. “Recruitment of companies which are new to the area enhances our economy. We are hopeful that many of those new employees are from Platte County and if not, then plan to make a home here.”
The plant will begin full production in January 2016 to manufacture suspension and frame components for the Chevy Malibu being assembled at the GM plant in Fairfax.
“It was a highly complex project that required very tight coordination between contractors, engineers, GM and the manufactures of Martinrea’s industrial machinery to meet an aggressive production schedule,” said Greg Hoefer, executive vice president of real estate for Tutera Group. “We are proud to complete the project on schedule to ensure Martinrea can now begin installation and testing of robotic and heavy equipment — some weighing in at more than 1 million pounds.”
Martinrea International Inc. (TSX:MRE) is a leader in the production of quality steel and aluminum metal parts, assemblies and modules and fluid management systems focused primarily on the automotive sector. Operating 38 plants in North America, South America, Europe and Asia, the company serves vehicle manufacturers, automotive suppliers and other industrial sectors.
Kansas City-based Lee & Associates, who has worked with Tutera Group on retail developments, brought the firm to the project based on their expertise and success on other development projects. The Martinrea plant is Tutera Group’s first manufacturing development.
“We welcomed the opportunity to diversify and bring our broad experience to the success of this important project for the Kansas City region,” Tutera said.