New food processing center to open in Kansas City

Bob Sims

KANSAS CITY: West Liberty, Iowa-based West Liberty Foods and Dakota Dunes, SD-based Vertical Cold Storage will partner on a 327,000-square-foot food processing center and supporting cold storage facility, according to the Kansas City Area Development Council.

The two companies expect to invest a combined $199.6 million in the project. The facilities will be directly connected and create 583 jobs, with $39.7 million in payroll.

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to expand our signature protein offerings with our new premade grab-and-go sandwich program,” said Brandon Achen, chief executive officer of West Liberty Foods. “Based on its proximity to key stakeholders for the project, Kansas City is the ideal location to house our newest technology, and we look forward to the growth this area has to offer.”

The food processing center and cold storage facility will support the production of grab-and-go sandwiches and be located at the I-49 Industrial Center within the 49 Crossing industrial zone.

West Liberty Foods produces nearly 650 million lbs of food product each year for grocery stores and restaurants across the United States, placing it among North America’s top 50 protein processors. In addition to its Iowa headquarters, it has facilities in Utah and Illinois, and now its first expansion into Missouri. Vertical Cold Storage provides comprehensive cold storage services for frozen and refrigerated foods nationwide. This will be the company’s sixth location.

Courtesy: foodbusinessnews