Expansion Management

Chinese Automotive Company Builds Facility in Kansas to Supply GM

April 26, 2013

The new plant will employ 263 and produce interior components

Yanfeng USA Automotive Trim Systems, the Mich.-based subsidiary of Yanfeng Visteon of China, announced on Friday that it will invest $45 million to build a new 258,000 square-foot manufacturing plant in the Kansas City area.

The company's Riverside plant will manufacture interior trim components, including door panels, floor consoles and instrument panels for General Motors' assembly plants in Kansas City, Kan., and Wentzville, Mo.

The plant is expected to be operational in early 2014.

"Missouri offers Yanfeng USA an excellent business climate from which to serve our automotive customers, and we are excited to join the state's strong community of automotive companies," said David Wang, president of Yanfeng USA.

Founded in 1994, Yanfeng Visteon has more than 90 production facilities worldwide and exports products to 16 countries.

The Kansas City area is home to large-scale manufacturing operations for both GM and Ford, which have expanded to become the region's largest manufacturing employers.

"Our Kansas City region is seeing significant job creation from automotive industry suppliers due to the massive reinvestment from our local auto manufacturers including Ford and GM," said Bob Marcusse, CEO of the Kansas City Area Development Council.

About the Author

Adrienne Selko | Senior Editor

Focus: Workforce, Talent

Follow Me on Twitter: @ASelkoIW

Bio: Adrienne Selko has written about many topics over the 17 years she has been with the publication and currently focuses on workforce development strategies. Previously Adrienne was in corporate communications at a medical manufacturing company as well as a large regional bank. She is the author of Do I Have to Wear Garlic Around My Neck? which made the Cleveland Plain Dealer's best sellers list. She is also a senior editor at Material Handling & Logistics and EHS Today.

Editorial mission statement: Manufacturing is the enviable position of creating products, processes and policies that solve the world’s problems. When the industry stepped up to manufacture what was necessary to combat the pandemic, it revealed its true nature. My goal is to showcase the sector’s ability to address a broad range of workforce issues including technology, training, diversity & inclusion, with a goal of enticing future generations to join this amazing sector.

Why I find manufacturing interesting: On my first day working for a company that made medical equipment such as MRIs, I toured the plant floor. On every wall was a photo of a person, mostly children. I asked my supervisor why this was the case and he said that the work we do at this company has saved these people’s lives. “We never forget how important our work is and everyone’s contribution to that.” From that moment on I was hooked on manufacturing.

I have talked with many people in this field who have transformed their own career development to assist others. For example, companies are hiring those with disabilities, those previously incarcerated and other talent pools that have been underutilized. I have talked with leaders who have brought out the best in their workforce, as well as employees doing their best work while doing good for the world.