25th Annual Business Excellence Awards

The Platte County Economic Development Council celebrated its 25th Annual Business Excellence Luncheon on Friday, December 11, 2015 at the Embassy Suites KCI. The main event sponsor was the Kansas City Aviation Department, and the 20 awards given to winning businesses were provided thanks to Harley-Davidson. All attendees to the luncheon were given a gift sponsored by Bank of Liberty, while the printed program was sponsored by GBA. An award reception, sponsored by the Embassy Suites KCI, was held prior to the lunch for award winners, elected officials, and Platte County EDC Board members.

Fifteen Platte County companies were awarded Business Excellence awards for job creation and/or significant expansion and investment projects. These 15 companies contributed $241.5 million in private investment, filled over 1.7 million-square-feet of space, and currently provide employment to over 3,000 people.

Community Development awards were given from the communities of Kansas City, Parkville, Platte City, Riverside, and Weston. “Our annual Business Excellence lunch is an opportunity for the Platte County EDC and its members to say ‘thank you’ to those businesses which have chosen Platte County as the premier location to operate a successful and profitable business,” said Executive Director Alicia Stephens. “Our businesses are growing and expanding, and this was a great event focused on celebrating our businesses’ success.”

2015 Community Development Awards

The Community Development Award recognizes civic and business leadership in five Platte County communities. Each of the businesses recognized is a successful and integral part of Platte County, capturing the spirit of community far beyond serving their customers’ needs.

Weston Award: The Farmers House

In 2006, The Farmers House was established as a working farm where children, youth and young adults could live, work, play and grow. The two Weston families behind it both have children with developmental disabilities and they sought to provide a place to embrace, enhance and support the lives of youth and adults with developmental disabilities. Farmer’s House provides a variety of community based programs for adolescents and adults, with the goal of empowering its participants to live a meaningful life and encourage positive interactions through vocational, recreational, and transitional programs. This very special “business” has made a difference in all who participate in its programs: volunteers, paid employees and the Farmers.

Riverside Award: Orange EV

Orange EV in Riverside has not only grown in size and staff members since it opened in Riverside but its business ties to the community have increased as well. With a focus on sustainability and environmental responsibility, Orange EV’s commitments to innovation, environmental sustainability and good corporate citizenship coincide perfectly with the goals established in the Riverside Comprehensive Master Plan.

The company transforms diesel terminal trucks into electric vehicles which eliminate emissions and reduces maintenance and waste. Orange EV was recently recognized by the KC Business Journal for the Biggest Impact at the 2015 Impact Awards.

Most importantly, Orange EV's commitment to community was evident as its business grew in sales and staff members requiring additional space. Orange EV committed to remaining in the community it calls home, moving into its new larger Riverside space just last month.

Platte City Award: Direct Medical Care

Dr. Ann Riggs opened Direct Medical Care in 2013 and the practice quickly became as asset to the entire Platte City community. She and her staff all live in Platte City and have demonstrated their commitment to service through their medical practice and through their participation and support of activities benefiting the Platte City community.

In addition to providing patient focused medical care, Direct Medical Care has been heavily involved in the community through support of the Platte City Police Department’s National Night Out Against Crime, the Jail and Bail Program to benefit the Christmas Shop with a Cop Program, the North County YMCA’s Trunk or Treat Program, sponsoring a float for in Platte County R-III Homecoming Parade. In addition, Dr. Riggs serves on the Board of the Platte City Area Chamber of Commerce.

Parkville Award: Stone Canyon Pizza

Stone Canyon Pizza first opened in historic downtown Parkville in 1995, and 20 years late,r it continues to be a staple in the community. The business’s continued success demonstrates and epitomizes Parkville’s entrepreneurial spirit and is often pointed to as the model for success in downtown Parkville.

Stone Canyon Pizza is regarded as a business always willing to help and serve in many roles within the entire Parkville community. Its continued commitment to community is what has made their 20-year history a success, and their community outreach includes volunteer contributions for numerous community events, such as Parkville Days, where they provided water and other resources for volunteers and patrons. They also support many organizations and have been a catalyst for business growth in Parkville for over 20 years.

Kansas City Award: Worth Harley-Davidson

Worth Harley-Davidson started as a family-owned business in 1978 and over their 37 years of operation has made a point to give back to the community. From hosting fall family activities to having Santa Claus visit during the holidays, Worth continues to keep the family feel for the community.

Each year, Worth Harley-Davidson and St. Luke’s North Hospital partner together for the “Playing it Safe in Northland” program, which raises funds to cover the costs of heart defect screenings for high school athletes. Along with this contribution, Worth Harley-Davidson helps in multiple rides and fundraising events, including The City Mission Ride and Angel in the Sky Foundation. The business is also proud to be a key supporter of the March of Dimes Bikers for Babies.

Worth continues to expand in Platte County and recently completed a rider’s training course that will open in spring 2016.

2015 Business Excellence Awards

The Business Excellence Awards are an honor roll of businesses that have made significant investments in the creation and retention of jobs and quality of life in Platte County.

Benton House of Tiffany Springs

The ribbon was cut in March this year for the new 52,000 square foot Benton House of Tiffany Springs assisted-living and memory-care facility. The facility, which created 30 new jobs, features apartment-style suites with amenities such as a country kitchen, piano room, media room, private family dining room and hair salon.

Developed by Hunt Midwest, Benton House of Tiffany Springs had the honor of being the first commercial property to be hooked up to the new Twin Creeks sewer expansion project. Hunt Midwest, who chose the Tiffany Springs location due to its belief in the growth of the Northland, has developed five other Benton House facilities in the Kansas City area.

Datapipe

Datapipe, a global provider of cloud and managed services, is investing massively in Platte County as it upgrades its facilities in the KCI Corridor.

Datapipe, a 100% green company, is undergoing significant upgrades and expansion to bring its data center to a Tier 4 grade. The upgrades, which will be complete by May 2016, include new generators for better fuel capacity, new panel and feeder boards and new cooling units.

Datapipe currently employs 78 people in Platte County, and the company expects that to increase to 90 in the near future. When looking to upgrade, the company says they are "exactly where they want to be” in Platte County, citing lower power and cooling costs compared with the national average as key benefits.

This year, Datapipe was awarded two Stevie Awards, winning Technical Innovation of the Year and for the second straight year it won Company of the Year. It has also been recognized for its 100% uptime for the past eight years by Netcraft.

Challenge Manufacturing

In mid-2015, Walker, Michigan-based Challenge Manufacturing Co moved into the 351,520-square-foot Logistics Centre II building at the KCI Intermodal BusinessCentre. Before choosing its new location in the KCI area, Challenge Manufacturing considered two other sites but landed in Platte County.

The Challenge Manufacturing plant in Kansas City is currently operating 24 hours a day Monday to Friday with select Saturdays. The Tier 1 automotive manufacturer produces modular assemblies and engineered metal stampings in its Platte County facility.

Challenge Manufacturing began full production in November 2015 and by May 2016, the company expects its employee number to rise from its current 70 to 340.

Eagle Animal Hospital & Pet Resort

In 2011, Johnson Controls, Inc. announced the company’s plans to build a new 180,000-square-foot facility in Riverside Horizons, kicking off the Horizons development. Originally, JCI announced it planned to add a total of 240 new high-quality jobs. Now, three years later, the company employs 600 at its Riverside Horizons location.

Johnson Controls Riverside, a global leader in automotive seating, was recently awarded the GM Malibu contract as well as the Ford contract, both through 2020, so we can expect to see more positive growth from the company in the coming years.

JCI Riverside was also recently awarded a Supplier Quality of the Year award by GM and is one of only 26 plants nationwide to receive the prestigious award.

Engaged Companies

Engaged Companies began as a team of one in 2004 in its founder’s private home, and this summer moved into a new 30,000 square foot building in Parkville. The new building, which is double the space Engaged Companies previously occupied, is located at the entrance to the National Golf Club of Kansas City.

The company looked at other options when it was clear it needed more office space, but decided to make a lifelong commitment to Parkville, and making an impact there is a priority for the company. Engaged Companies would not be where it is without its employees, and 95% of its employees have been referred to the company by other employees.

Engaged Companies includes eight businesses covering transportation, technology, education, and financial businesses: eShipping; eShipping Exchange; Engaged Expedited; Engaged Technologies; Engaged Financial; Engaged Insurance; Engaged Real Estate, and Engaged Youth Academy. In addition to its Parkville headquarters, which is home to 125 employees, the company has offices in Denver and Dallas, as well as salespeople in cities all around the US.

Martinrea Riverside, LLC

Martinrea Riverside, LLC broke ground on its 275,560 square foot building in the Horizons Business Park in Riverside in April 2014. The auto parts plant, which sits on over 15 acres, was completed in January this year, and by September was in full production.

Martinrea’s new plant has injected substantial capital investment into Platte County, and its initial expected 290 new jobs have been increased to 360 current employees. The state-of-the art assembly and distribution facility manufactures engine cradles and rear suspension cradles for the Chevy Malibu assembled at the GM Fairfax plant.

Access to a technically-minded workforce was a key reason Martinrea Riverside chose Platte County in addition to being close to both the KCI airport and the GM Fairfax plant. Platte County is the company’s first location in Missouri, with its other U.S. operations located in Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Michigan. Globally, Martinrea International employs over 14,000 people in 44 plants in North America, South America, Europe, and Asia.

National Beef Packing Company

In April this year, National Beef Packing Company announced it would expand its corporate headquarters at the Ambassador Building at KCI, where the company has been located since 2001.

National Beef increased its leased floor space by more than 50%, from 27,000 to 42,000 square feet. The need for increased square footage is a result of the company’s success and growth, especially in the internet and catalogue businesses. The expansion allows the company to add a customer service center for its Kansas City Steak Company business. In addition, 25 new positions were added, increasing employee numbers to 177.

National Beef chose to expand its base in Platte County, thanks in part to its proximity to the airport and ease for customers.
As the fourth largest U.S. beef company, National Beef Packing Company boasts sales of $7.5 billion per year, has 8,000 employees nationwide, and processes three million head of cattle annually. National Beef Packing Company’s five operating segments are beef processing, portion cutting, leather tannery, Kansas City Steak Compan,y and the National Carriers transport company.

Premium Waters

In 2012, the Platte County EDC honored Premium Waters with a Job Development Award after it opened its new, 165,000-square-foot facility in Riverside Horizons.

Now, just three years later, Premium Waters has added a 105,000 square foot expansion to help house some of the 22 million cases of bottled water produced onsite each year. Before it moved into the new expansion on November 5, 2015, Premium Waters was using four outdoor warehouses to store its products.

Premium Waters supplies its bottled water to customers all within a 400-mile radius and its employees numbers sit at 120, up from 85 when it first opened. The operation is now in production 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Premium Waters prides itself on being a member of the community, and it supports local organizations such as Harvesters and the Special Olympics.

Rogers Sporting Goods

Rogers Sporting Goods has operated a successful retail store in Liberty for 35 years. Rogers Sporting Goods is a family owned retail store offering a top selection of fishing lures and hunting gear. The customer-focused store prides itself on offering great customer service and low prices.

In 2015, Rogers Sporting Goods began operating its mail-order fulfillment center in a 110,000 square foot facility in the KC Corridor. It has employed 30 new staff members.

Seattle Fish

On October 24 2015, Seattle Fish Company International moved into its brand new 29,300 square foot headquarters situated at the Horizons Business Park in Riverside.

The move had been in the plans for 5 years as the company sought to increase its production and distribution capacity. Being closer to KCI Airport was a priority for Seattle Fish, and with each visit, the company felt Riverside was the right fit.

Previously, Seattle Fish Company International produced 2.5 million pounds of seafood, and they expect that number to double with the new facility. Each year, Seattle Fish in Riverside processes half a million pounds of salmon and 150,000 pounds of tilapia.

The company has been located in Kansas City for 12 years, and it has been recognized for its food safety, traceability and sustainability.

Smithfield

In October this year, Smithfield reaffirmed its commitment to Platte County by signing a new 10-year lease for its regional headquarters in the KCI Corridor.

Smithfield is the world’s largest pork processor and hog producer. Since its founding nearly 80 years ago, the company has grown to 48,000 employees and $15 billion in sales. Smithfield, with 326 current employees, will continue its operations in Platte County as well as make substantial capital investments in facility improvements.

In the US, Smithfield is the leader in numerous packaged meats categories and the company is committed to providing good food in a responsible way and maintains robust animal care, community involvement, employee safety, environmental and food safety and quality programs.

Smithfield has had presence in Kansas City since 1959 and it was previously awarded Business Excellence Awards by Platte County EDC in 2001 and 2004.

syncreon

In June this year, syncreon moved into a 220,000 SF building in the KCI Corridor. The facility functions as an inbound logistics center, doing sub-assembly and sequencing work for Harley-Davidson. The facility has 180 current employees, with plans to double that figure in 2016.

When looking to move, syncreon chose the Platte County facility due to its proximity to the Harley-Davidson factory on North Congress Avenue.

syncreon is located in 98 different cities worldwide, including the UK, Ireland, France, Brazil, Belgium, Poland, Hungary, Germany, China, and New Zealand. It has been named Chrysler’s 2013 Services Supplier of the Year and was designated a Top 25 North American Warehousing Firm.

TriWest

In July this year, TriWest Healthcare Alliance announced it had chosen Platte County as the home of its new facility. By September 7th, the company had moved into a 64,000-square-foot facility on NW 110th Street with 315 employees.

The company chose to move into the KCI Corridor due to the proximity to the airport and military bases such as Fort Leavenworth. They also felt the area was vibrant and saw the potential for growth in Platte County.

Founded in 1996, the Phoenix-based TriWest Healthcare Alliance administers health care services for veterans and military families. The TriWest network of health care professionals exists in all or parts of 28 states, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa.

Since opening, TriWest has hired another 200 employees and expects to reach 550 employees.. In addition to its employees, the Kansas City TriWest facility serves as a training base for many employees from other facilities.

US Farathane, LLC

In April 2015, US Farathane announced it was opening a new 222,000 square foot manufacturing operation in the Horizons Business Park in Riverside.

US Farathane evaluated sites in five states before selecting its new building in Riverside. The company felt Horizons Business Park in Riverside fit all their needs, including proximity to the KCI Airport as well as its key customers, Ford and GM. The new light processing and distribution center in Riverside supplies nearby Ford and GM and its key product is a heat reducing foam/plastic liner that goes in the engine compartment.

US Farathane continues to grow, and both GM and Chrysler have honored them with recent supplier excellence awards, including the 2014 Supplier of the Year award from GM. The company currently operates 2/47 and employs 120 people in Platte County, and expects to eventually employ around 250 as it eyes more growth of another 100,000 square feet in the near future.

On behalf of the Platte County EDC, I thank US Farathane, LLC, for its investment in our community and look forward to continued success from the company.

Yanfeng Automotive Interiors

In April 2013, Yanfeng Automotive Interiors, a major automotive parts supplier, announced it was opening a new manufacturing facility in Riverside.

By January 2015, the company had taken ownership of its new 258,000 square foot facility in Riverside Horizons Business Park. Yanfeng Automotive Interiors currently has 802 employees and it runs three shifts, seven days a week.

Yanfeng’s Riverside facility manufactures full cockpits in addition to injection-molded plastic parts such as door panels, instrument panels, and floor consoles.

The new Platte County location is Yanfeng’s third in the US and first outside Michigan. The company cited the convenient access to GM’s Fairfax Assembly Plant as the primary reason it chose the Horizons Business Park for its new facility.

 

December 15, 2015