Tutera Group, known for its development of retail, office, senior living and health care facilities nationwide, has completed on time and on budget the new 275,560 square-foot automotive manufacturing facility in Riverside, Mo. for Martinrea International Inc. The new plant will enable the Ontario-based company to manufacture welded, corrosion-resistant engine cradles and automotive assemblies for the nearby GM Fairfax plant in Kansas City, Kan.
“Tutera Group is very pleased with the successful outcome of this important project for Martinrea, an industry leader in automotive manufacturing,” said Joe Tutera, CEO of the Tutera Group. “The professionalism of the City of Riverside, as well as the expertise of the development team enabled us to build the international company’s first build-to-suit manufacturing plant on time and on budget.”
Regarded as one of the Kansas City region’s top industrial real estate deals in 2014, the Martinrea Riverside LLC plant is expected to bring up to 300 new jobs to the 15.2-acre site at 5233 N.W. 41st St. in Riverside. Martinrea, a Tier One automotive supplier, broke ground last April in a ceremony that included Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon.
“The full-service design of this new facility will enable four different manufacturing processes —stamping, welding, e-coating and modular assembly — all under one roof, creating time and cost saving efficiencies for both Martinrea and their GM client,” said Greg Hoefer, executive vice president of real estate for Tutera Group. “Manufacturing facilities like the one created for Martinrea are anticipated to set the standard for just-in-time Tier One manufacturing plants with inventories within 10 minutes of the assembly line, saving freight costs.”
“It was a highly complex project that required very tight coordination between contractors, engineers, GM and the manufactures of Martinrea’s industrial machinery to meet an aggressive production schedule,” said Hoefer. “We are proud to complete the project on schedule to ensure Martinrea can now begin installation and testing of robotic and heavy equipment — some weighing in at over one million pounds.”
The plant will begin full production in January 2016 to manufacture suspension and frame components for the Chevy Malibu being assembled at the GM plant in Fairfax.
Kansas City-based Lee & Associates, who has worked with Tutera Group on retail developments, brought the firm to the project based on their expertise and success on other development projects. The Martinrea plant is Tutera Group’s first manufacturing development. “We welcomed the opportunity to diversify and bring our broad experience to the success of this important project for the Kansas City region,” Tutera said.
Tutera Group acknowledged the team effort that made the project possible. “We are grateful to Davidson Architectural, CSF Engineering, Crossland Construction and the City of Riverside who were instrumental in assuring we could meet the intensive timeline that was set for one of Kansas City’s largest industrial projects.”
About Tutera Group
Tutera Group has a 30-year history of success in developing, leasing and managing retail, office, senior living and health care facilities in the Kansas City region and across the U.S. Through its origin as a skilled general contractor, evolution into property management and experience as an owner and operator of senior health care facilities nationwide, Tutera has developed a broad capability and expertise required for successful developments. Tutera is known for establishing long-lasting, hands-on relationships to achieve success as a marker of its own integrity, as well as its clients. For more information, visit our website at www.tuterarealestate.com.
About Martinrea International Inc.
Martinrea International Inc. (TSX:MRE) is a leader in the production of quality steel and aluminum metal parts, assemblies and modules and fluid management systems focused primarily on the automotive sector. Operating 38 plants in North America, South America, Europe and Asia, the Company is a Tier One supplier, serving vehicle manufacturers, automotive suppliers and other industrial sectors worldwide. For more information visit our website at www.martinrea.com.