Kenco selects Liberty Logistics Park for new facility

Kenco Logistics Services, LLC has selected a 295,600-SF warehouse and distribution space for their new facility at Liberty Logistics Park in Liberty, Mo.

“We are excited that Kenco Logistics, one of the top ten logistics companies in the world, selected the Liberty Logistics Park and our community for their new facility,” said Lyndell Brenton, mayor of the City of Liberty.

“Their decision to locate here reinforces Liberty’s place as a growing logistics and distribution hub in the Midwest. While Liberty Logistics Park is still under construction, we believe our community values, location and "can do” attitude are the differentiators that attract new businesses, like Kenco Logistics, to Liberty, Brenton said.

In the past five years, the KC region has successfully attracted eCommerce and distribution companies pledging to create more than 10,200 jobs, invest $1.8 billion and occupy 16.7 million square feet, according to a release.

“The KC region’s central location and access to a skilled workforce are key drivers of a successful eCommerce strategy,” said Tim Cowden, president and CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council.

“The KC SmartPort team and our partners in Liberty continue to elevate our region’s competitive advantages to position KC as a leading logistics hub,” Cowden said.

The Kansas City Area Development Council worked with a number of regional partners in attracting Kenco to the Kansas City region, including the State of Missouri, Missouri Partnership, City of Liberty, Missouri, Liberty Economic Development Corporation, CBRE - Joe Orscheln, Evergy, Spire Energy and KC SmartPort.

“It is fantastic to see and support the growth in the logistics and distribution industry in Liberty and the entire KC region,” said Subash Alias, CEO of Missouri Partnership.

“The status of Missouri as North America’s Logistics Center is already well known, and more and more companies, such as Kenco, are taking advantage of one of the best river, road, air and rail infrastructure systems in the nation. When it comes to logistics and distribution, Missouri is a global leader.”

Kenco Logistics Services, LLC

Kenco is the largest woman-owned third-party logistics (3PL) company in the United States. The company provides integrated logistics solutions including distribution and eCommerce fulfillment, comprehensive transportation management services, material handling equipment services, engineering and innovation consulting, and information technology. For more information, visit kencogroup.com.

Kadean Construction awarded $17.7 million warehouse in KCI Intermodal BusinessCentre

Kadean Construction has been awarded a $17.7 million contract by developer Trammell Crow Company to construct LogisticsCentre V, a 542,640 SF warehouse/distribution building located in the KCI Intermodal BusinessCentre.

LogisticsCentre V will be a modern, cross-dock facility with three separate storefront entrances for multiple tenants and incorporate sustainable design construction features.

Kadean Construction previously built LogisticsCentre II, III and IV at the 687-acre distribution and logistics park adjacent to KCI Airport, and recently completed the tenant build-out of the 202,800 SF LogisticsCentre III.

“Like the other facilities we’ve built in the business park, LogisticsCentre V will have a structural steel frame, concrete tilt-up walls, a seven-inch thick reinforced concrete floor and a 36-foot clear height ceiling,” said Kadean vice president Austin Christensen.

“This building will also feature 98 dock positions, with 132 tractor and 324 car parking stalls. Earlier this year, we completed infrastructure work for this site, so we are pleased to be awarded the contract to construct LogisticsCentre V,” Christensen said.

Other project partners include M+H Architects, civil engineering firm Stock & Associates, CBRE and Clarion Partners.

Construction is scheduled to be complete in March 2020.

Avenue Logistics moves to KC Crossroads

Avenue Logistics, a Chicago-based freight brokerage logistics company, will soon be relocating from Overland Park, KS to the Crossroads in Kansas City, Missouri.

Avenue Logistics is the latest in a growing list of “new-to-downtown” companies attracted to developments like 3D Development, whose tenants include Hollis + Miller, Holmes Murphy, Card Connect, and WeWork.

The firm will be moving in the fourth quarter of 2019 into the recently completed historic renovation at 215 E 18th Street, now named 18McGee.

Formally known as the Interstate Securities Building, it was originally built in the 1950’s to finance automobile purchases in the automotive district in the Crossroads. After Interstate Securities, it was owned and operated by the Kansas City Star, which was headquartered across the street.

“When we were looking for our new offices, we wanted a vibrant environment that appeals to our team,” said Brad Jerwick, vice president at Avenue Logistics.

18McGee is part of a five-building renovation that includes the restoration and renovation of the Historic Kansas City Star properties. When finished, Grand Place will include a 30,000 SF European-style market, restaurants, coffee house, spa and approximately 250,000 SF of signature office space.

“With everything happening in the Crossroads and the renovation of this building and all the amenities planned across the street at Grand Place, we believe this is a strategic way to use real estate to attract and retain team members,” Jerwick said.

Joining Avenue Logistics at 18McGee is Working Spaces, an office interiors and contract furniture business with offices across the midwest. Working Spaces will use the entire first floor as a showroom and design studio.

The top floor at 18McGee is still available, with a total of 6,000 SF that can be divided in sections as small as 2,000 SF.

Among the amenities in the building is 3D Development’s signature roof top patio, which provides great views of Grand Place and downtown.

“The gravity of the Crossroads is moving east at a much quicker pace than we ever anticipated,” said Tim Schaffer, president of AREA Real Estate Advisors.

“The building is attracting interest because of its walkability to bars and restaurants that continue to proliferate East Crossroads; also (because of) the anticipated historic renovation of the Kansas City Star building and all the amenities that are planned for this block,” Schaffer said.

From offices to co-working spaces, restaurants and event spaces, 3D has attracted several new companies to the KC downtown market. Projects include On Broadway, The Creamery, Corrigan Station, 18 McGee and the historic renovation and repositioning of the former KC Star headquarters, now known as Grand Place.  To learn more visit: dream-design-develop.com.

NorthPoint “Crown Jewel” lands 500,000 SF tenant

Third-party logistics provider PAE will lease 500,000 square feet of warehouse space at Logistics Park Kansas City (LPKC), bringing 75 jobs to the Edgerton community. LPKC is adjacent to the BNSF intermodal facility in southwest Johnson County.

“PAE’s decision to locate at Logistics Park Kansas City is another example of the benefits of co-locating at the BNSF Intermodal and a reason that LPKC continues to be the ‘Crown Jewel’ of NorthPoint Development's portfolio,” said NorthPoint CEO and Founder Nathaniel Hagedorn. “The ability to readily access the BNSF intermodal and the interstate highway system provides substantial cost savings and enhances the movement of goods and products throughout the Midwest and the continental United States.”

PAE provides records handling and mail management services supporting the U.S. government in over 100 locations.

“LPKC continues to prove itself as perfectly positioned in the center of the county providing our tenants access to first class infrastructure connecting them directly to markets nationwide,” added Edgerton Mayor Donald Roberts. 

Kubota completes land purchase for future logistics campus and Midwest Division Office in Edgerton

Kansas Governor Jeff Colyer tours future site that will solidify Kubota’s Midwest footprint

Kubota Tractor Corporation has completed a 200-acre land purchase within Phase II of Edgerton's Logistics Park Kansas City, making the company the first major tenant for the industrial park. Kansas Gov. Jeff Colyer and Kubota officials on Thursday toured the site where Kubota will construct two, one million square-foot, state-of-the-art logistics facilities for its new North American Distribution Center (NADC). 

The move signals Kubota's intention to plant solid roots in Kansas to expand distribution capacity and streamline logistics processes for the timely delivery of its branded service parts and equipment to the U.S. market.

“Kubota is ready to begin this exciting project along with our city, county and state partners to expand our infrastructure and create solid footing in the Midwest, the Heartland of America,” said Masato Yoshikawa, president and CEO of Kubota Tractor Corporation. “We are proud to make this significant investment here in Kansas, a state that shares our values and supports our ambitious goals for the future.”

Kubota first leased space in Logistics Park KC in 2015 with a 765,000 square foot facility, and offered increased access to its 1,100-strong dealer network. That building, which employs 150, will remain in operation and continue to be the source for Kubota parts and equipment for worldwide export until the new facilities are complete. 

“Kubota has been an ideal leasing tenant, and we are thrilled to welcome them as our newest neighbor as they fully integrate into the local community. The central proximity of Edgerton within the U.S., and its world-class inland port and intermodal facility, give companies like Kubota direct connections to the global supply chain and the ability to quickly and efficiently ship goods by rail and truck to their final destination," said Edgerton Mayor Donald Roberts. "Edgerton and our partners have a proven track record of thoughtful planning and significant investment in infrastructure attracting businesses to Edgerton and growing our local economy."

With 150 employees already in Edgerton, Kubota's expansion will add more jobs to the area as well as expand the company's 1,500-employee Great Plains operations in Salina. 

"Kubota’s continued investments in Edgerton makes it one of our state’s greatest business success stories,” Gov. Colyer said. “Today’s announcement is a testament to the company’s commitment to continue strengthening the state’s manufacturing and logistics base and creating future job growth. We thank Kubota for believing in the potential of our state and investing in the future of our residents."

Once complete, the new facility will allow Kubota to continue to receive and process shipments from Asia and Europe, in addition to goods from suppliers in North America, with more capacity and with accelerated shipping speed for the timely delivery of Kubota parts and equipment.

“Kubota will anchor the expansion of Logistics Park Kansas City, and NorthPoint is proud to continue our more than four-year partnership with the company to see their future plans come to fruition here in Edgerton,” said Patrick Robinson, NorthPoint Development.

“As Kubota’s construction partner, Clayco’s focus and commitment extends far beyond the structures we are building,” said Anthony Johnson, Clayco executive vice president. “Our team’s goal is to ensure we are providing an environment where Kubota’s employees can operate safely and efficiently, and can deliver high quality products to their customers every day.”

As the company continues on a high-growth trajectory, Kubota maintains its commitment to expanding its product offerings, with operational excellence as a priority. “Increasing the capacity of our parts and logistics operations in Kansas will enable us to achieve even greater operational efficiencies to make Kubota’s business stronger and more competitive to meet our growing customer demand,” Yoshikawa continued.

The new campus will also house Kubota’s newest Midwest Division office, which is an extension of the company’s existing divisional operation structure that provides regional support to Kubota dealers. Kubota’s division offices are located in Suwanee, Ga.; Fort Worth, Texas; Columbus, Ohio; and, Lodi, Calif.; and, soon to be in Edgerton, Kansas.

Check out photos below from Gov. Colyer's site tour and official announcement. Click to advance the slideshow.