Equipment manufacturer Multivac is expanding and will add up to 50 jobs in Kansas City

A manufacturer of advanced food packaging machinery is undergoing a $6.9 million expansion of its Kansas City operation and will add up to 50 jobs, the Missouri Department of Economic Development has announced.

Multivac is based in Germany, has operations in 140 countries and has been in Kansas City for 25 years. The announcement said Multivac’s headcount in Kansas City, its U.S. headquarters, is expected to be nearly 300 by the end of this year.

The expansion will add 32,000 square feet and bring the plant, near the Harley-Davidson factory in Kansas City, North, to about 120,000 square feet. The space is expected to be “online” by April, the announcement said.

Multivac’s packaging machines go to some of the largest food processors in the U.S. and also are used to package medical, industrial and other consumer products.

Multivac’s U.S. chief executive, Jim Campbell, said in the announcement that 2015 was a record year for his company’s U.S. revenue and that Multivac is “in the fortunate position of being able to add headcount each year.”

The state said Multivac would receive “a strategic economic incentive package” if it met hiring goals. If 50 jobs are added within four years, Multivac could access up to $688,977 through the Missouri Works program and $50,000 in training funds through the Missouri Works Training program, the state said.

The jobs’ salary range wasn’t specified, but jobs in advanced manufacturing tend to pay well and are sought after. The Department of Economic Development said Missouri has added 16,000 such jobs since 2010, and the sector contributes more than $35 billion to the state’s economy.

This story was originally published February 19, 2016 at 10:44 AM.