Exciting News for Kansas City: New Ammunition Box Plant on the Way!
Kansas City is buzzing with excitement as RB America Corp., an Italian company, gears up to open its very first manufacturing plant in North America right here in our city. Plans are in place to invest a whopping $16 million into a 100,000-square-foot facility dedicated to producing ammunition boxes, which will undoubtedly bring a surge of economic activity to the area!
Job Opportunities Ahead!
One of the most thrilling aspects of this announcement is the promise of job creation. The new plant will generate 163 jobs for our community, providing numerous opportunities for employment in various sectors. Local officials are thrilled about the job prospects and the overall impact this will have on Kansas City’s economy.
Location, Location, Location
While the specific location details are still buzzing around, RB America shared an address — 1010 N. Century Drive. This spot sits in an industrial area southeast of Interstate 435 and Front Street, which should make it a convenient hub for operations. The facility is expected to be bustling with activity soon, as production testing is slated to kick off in November, with full operations expected to start early next year.
A Bit of Company History
RB America is part of RB SRL, a company that emerged from a merger of several Italian firms in 2018. Their expertise lies in creating components for hunting and shooting ammunition, along with military-grade ammunition containers. Currently, they have four manufacturing plants based in Italy. The Kansas City plant aims to leverage state-of-the-art technology and multiple production lines to meet the burgeoning demand for military ammunition boxes here in the U.S.
A Key Partnership for Local Production
The strategic location of RB America’s new plant is key as it’s within reach of the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant located in Independence. This facility is recognized as the largest small-arms ammunition manufacturing operation globally, capable of producing an astounding 1.6 billion rounds of small-caliber ammunition each year! Recently, they even started constructing a new facility for the advanced 6.8mm round, which is set to be an integral part of the Next Generation Squad Weapon for U.S. and NATO troops.
A Win for Economic Development
This exciting announcement is certainly a huge win for both local and state economic development officials. Missouri’s Governor, along with the Missouri Partnership CEO, took the time to meet with RB America’s representatives during a trade mission back in May. Their efforts have manifested into a tangible opportunity that showcases Missouri’s appeal as a top destination for international businesses. It’s clear that this deal highlights the potential for growth and collaboration within our state!
Collaborative Efforts to Make It Happen
A big shoutout goes to Newmark Zimmer, a commercial real estate firm, for spearheading the search for RB America’s new space. Agents from the firm played a pivotal role in securing the site for this exciting new venture, demonstrating what can happen when great minds work together for a common goal.
As Kansas City gears up for this new development, residents are looking forward to welcoming RB America to our community with open arms. The promised jobs, economic growth, and international collaboration make this news a feather in the cap for our beautiful city. With production testing starting soon, we can’t wait to see how this venture unfolds!
