Expansion Management

Missouri Adds Another Supplier to Growing Automotive Sector

April 24, 2014

Martinrea Riverside will add 290 jobs to produce engine cradles for General Motors.

On his first full day in office, back in 2008, Governor Jay Nixon established the Missouri Automotive Jobs Task Force to make recommendations on strategies to attract automotive investment to the state. Two years later the Missouri Manufacturing Jobs Act, a package of strategic incentives to attract next-generation automotive manufacturing to the state, became law.

And that strategy has been paying off since then. On April 24,2014 Martinrea Riverside LLC broke ground on its new manufacturing facility in Riverside, Mo. The global auto supplier will operate in a 275,560 square-foot automotive parts manufacturing facility, creating up to 290 new jobs.

“Missouri’s automotive industry is a driving force in our state’s expanding economy, and today we mark another milestone in its continued resurgence,” Gov. Nixon said. “Global companies like Martinrea are continuing to grow and invest in Missouri because of our experienced workforce, low taxes and stable economic climate. With smart, strategic, pro-growth policies, we will continue to build on this strong momentum.”

Martinrea Riverside LLC is a subsidiary of Martinrea International Inc., a Tier One automotive supplier headquartered in Ontario, Canada. The company, which produces steel and aluminum metal parts, assemblies and modules, and fluid management systems focused primarily on the automotive sector, has 38 facilities across eight countries and four continents.

The Riverside facility, the company’s first location in Missouri, will manufacture welded corrosion-resistant engine cradles using its e-coating process, and automotive assemblies for the General Motors plant in Fairfax, Kan.

“We are pleased to open our first facility in Missouri, in order to better serve our customers”, said Rocco Marinaccio, director of Modular Assembly. “We have received a warm reception from everyone, and we look forward to becoming a contributing member of the local community.”

Missouri's automotive manufacturing industry has rebounded with Ford and General Motors having invested a combined $1.5 billion and created thousands of jobs to produce all-new next-generation vehicles at their facilities in Claycomo and Wentzville.

Missouri has also seen strong growth among automotive suppliers with Janesville Acoustics, Yanfeng USA Automotive Trim Systems, SRG Global, Adrian Steel, Toyota Bodine and Grupo Antolin North America all announcing plans to invest and expand in the Show-Me State over the past year.

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.