Maker of plastic bottles expands KC operations, adding 110 jobs

Logoplaste, a Portuguese-based manufacturer of plastic bottles, will invest $35 million to expand its Kansas City facility, paving the way to add 110 jobs over five years.

Beginning in 2016, the company plans to begin recruiting for the new jobs, which will include managers, technicians and manufacturers. When fully staffed, the company intends its total employment to be 185.

The development announcement from Gov. Jay Nixon’s office said the expansion makes Kansas City the company’s new U.S. manufacturing and distribution hub. It has had a Kansas City facility since 2013.

The Missouri Department of Economic Development offered an economic incentive package that the company can receive if it meets certain job creation criteria. The company could access up to $349,682 through the Missouri Works program and $60,000 through the Missouri Works Training program.

Logoplaste also received more than $1 million in Enhanced Enterprise Zone tax credits and $92,500 in recruitment assistance from the state in 2012 when it chose to establish Kansas City operations in the East Bottoms at 6920 Executive Drive.

The company operates 67 facilities in 17 countries on four continents. It makes rigid plastic packaging for beverages, personal and household care items, and the oil and lubricant sector.

“Kansas City’s strong manufacturing sector and central location make it the ideal place for companies like Logoplaste to access a highly skilled workforce and connect with customers quickly,” Nixon said.

Logoplaste said it will relocate some operations from Chicago as well as install new equipment in Kansas City.

Rui Abelho, managing director of Logoplaste North America, praised the economic development assistance received from state and city officials.

“Logoplaste conducts business in numerous states and countries, and I can honestly say that our management team has always been, and continues to be, impressed with the business-friendly environment in the state of Missouri,” Abelho said.

This story was originally published December 17, 2015 at 6:01 PM with the headline "Maker of plastic bottles expands KC operations, adding 110 jobs."