November 2007 E-News

Kansas City SmartPort E-News

New KC SmartPort Chairman

Please join us in welcoming Mike Priest, Principal and Regional Vice President, TranSystems Corporation, as KC SmartPort’s new Chairman. Mike’s involved with the transportation and logistics consulting group within TranSystems and will bring a wealth of knowledge of why companies site distribution facilities where they do and how KC can continue the growth in new distribution centers.

View the Board member list on the SmartPort web site.

TDE Update

SmartPort’s Trade Data Exchange continues to receive recognition from the public and private sector.  Recent meetings between the SmartPort TDE team and several private sector supply chain technology providers are leading to new partnerships to strengthen the TDE framework and system capabilities.  Watch for announcements on these partnerships in the near future.

For more information please contact Chris Gutierrez.

KC Ranks as Logistics Friendly

The October issue of Expansion Management magazine lists the KC region as a top five logistics friendly  city, scoring a 99, the highest possible. Expansion Management and Logistics Today annually rank cities in ten different categories including rail service, interstate highway infrastructure and available workforce.  This top five ranking is a further testament to the KC regions competitive position for new transportation and logistics facilities.


Green Logistics in KC

Members of KC’s logistics community have made significant contributions to making our region, and our world, a more environmentally friendly place to live. Space Center Distribution in Independence has implemented electric forklifts, and BNSF released a nationwide environmental report spelling out its commitment to providing environmentally sound rail transportation of goods and materials. These are just a few examples of SmartPort member company’s commitment to Green initiatives.  Don’t miss the recent article in World Trade magazine on this topic, including a list of steps to reduce the environmental impact of today’s supply chains.  


Investor Profile: CenterPoint Properties 

CenterPoint is the newest member of the KC development community.  The company will begin development on the CenterPoint – KCS Intermodal Park this year.  CenterPoint is also the largest owner and developer of industrial real estate in metropolitan Chicago with 24 branded business parks.  CenterPoint is a subsidiary of CalEast Global Logistics LLC, a leading investor in logistics warehouse and related real estate whose members include the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) and LaSalle Investment Management.

CenterPoint Properties focuses on the development, ownership and intensive management of industrial real estate and related rail, road and port infrastructure. The company adds value to its customers through forward-thinking solutions aimed at enhancing supply chain and operating efficiencies.  CenterPoint seeks long-term relationships with customers, public and private business partners, internal colleagues and the communities where it invests and operates.

For more information visit CenterPoint Properties.