Liberty parts manufacturer LMV Automotive will add 166 jobs
LMV Automotive is expanding its new parts manufacturing operation in Liberty with a $48.7 million addition that will increase its workforce by 166 employees.
The Wednesday announcement came while LMV was still gearing up operations at a $42 million facility it began building two years ago. The plant is expected to employ 156 workers making parts, including chassis, for the new Ford Transit van manufactured at the nearby Claycomo plant.
The expansion will add 256,000 square feet to the existing 213,000-square-foot facility in the Heartland Meadows Industrial Park near U.S. 69 and Interstate 35. This addition is expected to supply parts to the General Motors Fairfax plant in Kansas City, Kan.
“Although they have yet to reach full production at the original facility, this expansion not only represents an additional $49 million investment in our community but also will bring another 166 new, good-paying jobs to Liberty,” Mayor Lyndell Brenton said.
Pam Mason, Clay County presiding commissioner, praised the work of several development agencies in encouraging the expansion, including the Kansas City Area Development Council and the Liberty Economic Development Corp.
“Liberty and Clay County competed valiantly against very tough competition in neighboring counties and states,” she said. “ LMV has been and will continue to be an outstanding asset to our community, and we are thrilled they are announcing this expansion.”
LMV Automotive is a subsidiary of Toronto-based Magna International, the world’s fourth-largest supplier of auto parts. Magna also operates a seat manufacturing plant in Excelsior Springs.
Construction of the new Liberty addition is expected to begin this summer, according to a news release from Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon.
The Missouri Department of Economic Development has offered $2,002,366 under the Missouri Works program and $500,000 under the Missouri Works Training program if the company meets its job creation and investment criteria.
This story was originally published March 26, 2014 at 12:26 PM with the headline "Liberty parts manufacturer LMV Automotive will add 166 jobs."