Kansas City, Missouri – The prestigious Italian precision parts company RB SRL has chosen Kansas City as its best location for company’s new 100,000-square-foot North American manufacturing center. The move is expected to create 163 jobs and boost the local economy with $16 million. Last week’s announcement confirmed Missouri’s rising position as a top destination for manufacturing-based foreign companies.
After earlier this year meeting with RB Group’s executives in Italy, Governor Mike Parson expressed his excitement at the company’s decision.
“We’re proud that another world-class manufacturer like RB Group has recognized Missouri as an ideal business location,” said Governor Parson in a release. “When we met earlier this year in Italy, RB Group made it clear that they are committed to growth and innovation. We look forward to this cutting-edge employer’s contributions to our vibrant manufacturing sector as it establishes a presence in Kansas City.”
The Kansas City site marks RB America Corp.’s first venture into North American activities, therefore supporting the area’s reputation as a developing center for sophisticated manufacturing innovation and growth. President of RB America Corp., Renato Ballabio emphasized the facility’s focus on innovative technologies and higher production capacity.
Meeting the present demand in the U.S. market, Ballabio added, the state-of- the-art technologies and several manufacturing lines will create a new bar for the manufacturing of ammo boxes. Aimed to be fully operational by early 2025, the plant is set to begin production testing in November 2024.
Michelle Hataway of Missouri’s Department of Economic Development also welcomed RB America Corp. Hataway said that it’s great to have RB America Corp. joining Missouri among the newest members of the state’s robust and always expanding manufacturing sector. Companies like RB America Corp., Hataway continued, investing in the state highlight state leaders’ goal of enabling Missourians to prosper.
RB America Corp. will gain from the Missouri Works program, which helps businesses in growing and keeping employees through capital access via withholdings or tax credits connected to job development, thus supporting the construction of its new Kansas City location. Moreover, the business will get help from Missouri One Start, a branch of the Department of Economic Development concentrated on training and recruitment aid.
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The selection of Kansas City by RB America Corp. was praised by local economic leaders as a strategic decision that highlights the city’s economic advantages.
“We’ve seen lots of momentum in the advanced manufacturing sector in Kansas City and are pleased to welcome RB America Corp.,” said Steven Anthony, Vice President of Business Development for the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri. “As an international company, they had many choices on where to locate, so their decision to come here highlights the strategic economic advantages our city offers.”
“As both a top 15 U.S. industrial market and top 15 U.S. city for foreign business, Kansas City is uniquely positioned to support the growth and success of advanced manufacturers in the competitive North American market,” said Chris Gutierrez, President of KC SmartPort, a strategic affiliate of the Kansas City Area Development Council. “RB America Corp.’s decision to establish their first U.S. facility in Kansas City is a testament to our region as a highly-attractive location for companies looking to take their manufacturing operations to the next level.”
RB SRL was founded in December 2018 through a merger of various Italian companies, all owned by the same entrepreneur with over 40 years of experience. Specializing on components for hunting and shooting ammunition as well as military defense ammunition containers, the company runs four manufacturing facilities in Italy and currently one in the United States. It services more than 50 countries.
Interested parties may visit the company’s website for additional information on RB SRL and its activities. The official DED website offers updates on projects and activities of the Missouri Department of Economic Development.