JULY 2008 E-NEWS
Kansas City SmartPort E-News

Distribution Centers Target KC Region

This time last year, KC SmartPort and the Kansas City Area Development Council had 13 distribution center projects in the works. However, this year we have seen an increase in interest for distribution space. Currently, our pipeline is full with 19 large prospective distribution centers. Of the 19 active deals, six are more than 400,000-square-foot distribution centers and two exceed one million square feet.  The Kansas City region continues to grow in importance in the global supply chain. 

For more information contact Chris Gutierrez.

KC Regional Freight Outlook (RFO)   

KC SmartPort in partnership with MARC, MoDOT and KDOT contracted TranSystems to conduct the RFO.  This comprehensive regional study will provide current and 20-year projections of freight facilities and commodity flows. It will identify freight infrastructure needs and assess Kansas City's regional transportation advantages resulting in a targeted marketing strategy for the KC region.  The leadership by the partners in committing to this study will assist in long range infrastructure planning and continued growth in new distribution center investments in our region.

For more information contact Chris Gutierrez.

TDE Update

SmartPort and its partners had a very productive month working on several aspects of the TDE. Test projects are underway with several KC area companies. The projects focus on standardized message alerts and communications as well as tracking and tracing devices on international shipments.  

The newly developed SmartPort Five-Layer Architecture was accepted by our numerous private sector and government sector partners. A new SmartPort program management office was created to coordinate the integration, interoperability and commercialization of several independent projects now connected through the Five-Layer Architecture.

For additional information contact Chris Gutierrez.

North American Exports to Mexico Increase

North American trade through Kansas City remains strong, especially exports to Mexico. In 2007, more than $18 billion worth of cargo passed through the KC SmartPort region on its way to Mexico.  KC's piece represents one-sixth of the total $109 billion worth of U.S. cargo exported to Mexico.

Source: BTS "Transborder Freight Data"

To view more detailed data visit KC SmartPort.

Inventory Logistics Development Program Graduates First Class

Eleven Full Employment Council (FEC) clients graduated from the first Inventory Logistics course offered to the greater Kansas Citycommunity.

Students attended class part-time for six weeks and studied topics such as: Fundamentals of Inventory Control, Problem Solving, Basics of Inventory Management, Lean Manufacturing, RFID Basics, Business Communication and Business Math. Upon graduation, students were awarded the American Production and Inventory Control Society (APICS) Educational Certificate and a Certificate of Completion from the University of Central Missouri - Human Capital Academy.

The training program is just one of the courses born out of a partnership between the regional Missouri Workforce Investment Board, the Full Employment Council (FEC), KC SmartPort and the Human Capital Academy (HCA) in an effort to help the Kansas City labor market be more competitive.

The next track of courses is scheduled for the end of July with programs starting every 8-10 weeks. The class will expand over the next 12 months to include a team leader curriculum.

For more information contact Duke Crosswhite with the FEC at 816.838.0776 or Larin Payne with KC SmartPort.

Investor Profile - Lake Country Logistics, LLC

Lake Country Logistics, LLC is a new intermodal motor carrier servicing the greater Kansas City area.  By focusing on Intermodal freight only, Lake Country understands the unique needs of the industry.

It specializes in the delivery of both international and domestic containers to customers within a six-hundred-mile radius of Kansas City.  Lake Country carriers are also available for longer haul deliveries to forty-eight states and Canada.  All of Lake Country's drivers are TWIC certified for port pick-ups and delivery if needed. 

For more information contact Tom Fraccascia.
     
        

Investor Profile - Recovery Management Corporation

Recovery Management Corporation (RMC) is a trusted advisor to supply chain companies; managing distribution exceptions and maximizing the value of resulting inventories.  RMC's services include shipment evaluation, tracing and matching, claims mitigation, warehousing and sales of OS&D, discontinued and excess inventories.
  

From our roots in 1952, RMC has provided practical solutions and outstanding results by accurately assessing products resulting from distribution exceptions, understanding the commercial, market, legal and regulatory environments in which they exist, and determining the most constructive way to create value for our clients.

Recovery Management Corporation's core values of Integrity, Accountability, Responsiveness, Innovation and Performance help them achieve this simple promise: They deliver the optimum value for your goods in ways most effective for your company.