JUNE 2008 E-NEWS
Kansas City SmartPort E-News

Kansas City Catches Big Fish

Iowa-based Pure Fishing Inc. selected a site at the Skyport Business Park to construct a new 400,000-square-foot, state-of-the-art distribution center near KCI. The company expects to employ 112 when it is fully operational in 2009.

Pure Fishing considered Columbia, S.C., Reno, Nev., Louisville, Ky., Pittsburgh, Pa., and St. Louis for the new national distribution center. Kansas City's transportation infrastructure sealed the deal for the company.

The company, whose roots trace back to the 1930s, designs and produces fishing equipment for retailers worldwide. Fishing enthusiasts may recognize some of Pure Fishing's brands, including Abu Garcia, Berkley, Fenwick, Gulp, Mitchell and SevenStrand.

For more information visit KC SmartPort's press room

Trade Data Exchange (TDE) Update

June is a critical month for the TDE.  Early in the month a group of TDE partners will meet to determine the best commercial development process. The group, comprised of government representatives (federal, state and local) and private sector technology development partners including the University of Kansas, will present more than six technology projects currently under way.

Near the end of the month, partners will discuss the appropriate business model for the commercialization of the TDE.

Stay tuned. For more information contact Chris Gutierrez

KC SmartPort Travels to Panama

Last month, KC SmartPort and several partners visited Panama. Known for its open economy, central location in Latin America and logistics oriented economy, Panama is benefiting from growth in several sectors.  With the Panama Canal as the magnet, the logistics industry on both coasts is expanding port facilities, warehouse and distribution operations and free trade zone activity (the Colon Free Trade Zone is the second largest in the world).  

The KC group met with key private sectors leaders and government representatives from Manzanillo International Terminals, Hutchison Terminals, the Panama Canal Railway, Dell Computer’s contact center, J. Cain & Company and the Panama Canal Authority.

The trip proved especially successful for three Kansas City area exporters: Flame Engineering, Western Forms, and Nos Vemos Greetings who established contact with distributors, sales agents and end users of their products and services.

For the logistics and industrial development partners, the trip strengthened our knowledge of the global supply chains and how Panama fits into this changing environment.

Investor Profile: Zimmer Real Estate, LC/ONCOR International

Founded in 1948, Zimmer Real Estate Services, LC/ONCOR International is a full service real estate firm. Headquartered in Kansas City, Mo. Zimmer Real Estate maintains offices in St. Louis, Mo. and Lenexa, Kan. More than 70 professionals with various backgrounds and accreditations (SIOR, CCIM, CRE, MBA, architects, etc.) work in Zimmer’s offices.  

Recently, CenterPoint-KCS Intermodal Center, the largest industrial park development in Kansas City history, hired Zimmer’s industrial group. Throughout its history Zimmer has developed more than 28 million square feet of industrial, office and retail space and more than 2,000 acres of commercial property. Annually, Zimmer’s industrial group has sold or leased more than two million square feet of space for the past 10 years.

For more information visit Zimmer Real Estate


To view upcoming events in the Kansas City area please visit our calendar of events.