The choice of Kansas City for this facility is attributed to Missouri's strategic location, skilled workforce, and advanced infrastructure, as noted by Governor Mike Parson. This development is anticipated to bolster international trade supply chains and contribute to economic growth in the region through a $127 million investment by Americold. The 335,000-square-foot facility is expected to generate nearly 190 new jobs, further enriching the local employment landscape.
George Chappelle, CEO of Americold, expressed enthusiasm about the collaborative venture with CPKC, emphasizing the expansion of Americold’s footprint in a crucial U.S. transportation hub. This collaboration is poised to merge Americold’s cold storage proficiency with CPKC’s expansive rail network, offering a unique solution to meet the logistic needs of customers across North America.
Keith Creel, President and CEO of CPKC, highlighted the significance of the Kansas City facility as a cornerstone of the strategic collaboration between the two companies. He pointed to CPKC’s Mexico Midwest Express (MMX) service, which stands as the sole single-line rail service providing refrigerated shipping between the U.S. Midwest and Mexico. The integration of CPKC's TempPro™ temperature-protected intermodal containers with Americold’s logistics services is expected to streamline operations, mitigate truck congestion at the U.S.-Mexico border, and enhance overall efficiency in the transportation of goods.
The facility’s role in supporting the MMX service will be critical in offering seamless, efficient service to MMX customers, embodying a significant step forward in the optimization of the cold storage logistics landscape. By facilitating a more effective goods transportation method between the U.S. and Mexico, the partnership between Americold and CPKC aims to reduce transit times, transportation costs, and food wastage.
Construction of the Kansas City facility is scheduled for the first half of 2024, pending local approvals.
