Claycomo

A Spanish auto parts manufacturer will add 118 jobs in Kansas City over the next two years.

Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon was in town Wednesday to help cut the ribbon at Grupo Antolin's new $18 million plant, which will produce customized headliners for the vehicles such as the Ford Transit vans being manufactured at Claycomo.

"Since we first announced Grupo coming to Missouri, the company has already hired over 50 employees, including plant manufacturing and management staff," says Nixon. "That's big news for the company and a huge win for this community."

Ford Motor and the United Auto Workers Union today rolled out a pilot health care program that might ultimately affect  workers at the Kansas City Claycomo Assembly Plant.

The program would help the chronically ill and was also expected to reduce health care costs.

Ford, the union and the union’s retiree health care trust revealed the program at the company’s Dearborn, Michigan headquarters.

If it works in Michigan, Ford’s head of labor affairs Marty Mulloy said it could be used in places like Kansas City or Louisville, which have larger numbers of retirees. 

In  announcing it would add 2,000 jobs to its Claycomo Assembly Plant, Ford Motor cited increased  sales tied to new stability in the home building market.   At the truck factory, Ford executives drew parallels that are being seen industry-wide.

Kansas City, Mo. – People who depend upon the Ford Claycomo Plant had encouraging words today from the automaker and Missouri's Governor. The number of full-time jobs won't change and the plant will make a $400 million expansion with help from the State.

Ensuring jobs, there will be a new vehicle made at Claycomo, although the company will say neither what it will be nor when production will start. The F-Series truck will still be made there.

Ford pledges to keep full-time jobs for 3,750 men and women.