Americold, CPKC to Build Cold Storage Facility in Kansas City

Americold will build its first facility in collaboration with Canadian Pacific Kansas City (CPKC) in Missouri, the United States, allowing it to integrate its warehouse facilities into the CPKC network and enhance the efficiency of its cold storage capabilities.

Americold will invest US$127 million in the construction of the 31,122m2 facility in Kansas City, Missouri, generating nearly 190 new jobs. “This decision speaks to the strategic location, skilled workforce, and infrastructure. We anticipate Americold’s success in strengthening supply chains for international trade and bringing new investment to the Kansas City region,” says Governor of Missouri Mike Parson.

The collaboration with CPKC represents a significant move for Americold, which is expanding its presence in a vital US transportation hub. “Combining our cold storage capabilities with CPKC’s extensive rail network allows Americold to offer support to customers across North America. We anticipate further collaboration with CPKC to provide service and strengthen the food supply chain,” says George Chappelle, CEO, Americold.

The new facility in Kansas City will play a role in supporting CPKC’s Mexico Midwest Express (MMX) service, the only single-line rail service for refrigerated shippers between the US Midwest markets and Mexico. The collaboration will lead to more efficient service for MMX customers. By using CPKC’s TempPro™ temperature-protected intermodal containers and combining them with Americold’s expertise in cold storage logistics, both companies aim to help customers overcome challenges at the Mexico-US border, reducing transit times, transport costs, and food waste.

Keith Creel, President and CEO, CPKC, highlights the importance of partnerships in generating growth. “Our MMX premium intermodal service will enable Americold customers to transport goods between the United States and Mexico efficiently. We look forward to growing with Americold as we support the cold storage ecosystem,” he says.

Pending local approvals, construction of the facility is expected to begin in the first half of 2024. Missouri Partnership, a public-private economic development organization, played a role in attracting Americold to Kansas City. Several partners, including Kansas City, the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri, KC SmartPort, Missouri’s Department of Economic Development, Evergy, and Spire, collaborated to facilitate the establishment of Americold’s new facility in the region.