Claycomo

Kansas City is near the top of a list of cities that are growing advanced industry.

That’s the latest from The Brookings Institution – and good news after a 2014 report found some troubling economic indicators here in the metro.

Union workers at Ford’s truck assembly plant in Claycomo have dented the push to ratify the new labor agreement worked out between Ford and the UAW. 

With a possible strike looming, Ford's Claycomo assembly plant has canceled the day shift on Sunday, when the United Auto Worker's Union has threatened to strike the plant. 

The UAW has threatened to strike Ford’s Claycomo assembly plant at noon. The company had scheduled a shift of workers on duty at that time, as part of a program of mandatory overtime to keep up with demand for Ford’s popular F-150 pickups.

A Ford spokesperson says the overtime was simply unnecessary.

Pull in to the tiny Nelle Belle’s diner (pronounced “nell-ee bells”) on U.S. Highway 69 in Claycomo any weekday morning, and you’re likely to find the parking lot packed.

Thursday morning Ford announced it was adding 1,200 jobs at its Claycomo, Mo., plant because of surging demand for the company’s new Transit van.

Ford says Transit van sales have grown every month since it was introduced.

With hundreds of United Auto Workers union members looking on, John Hinrichs, Ford president in the Americas, said by the end of the year there will be 6,000 UAW jobs in Claycomo.

That makes it the assembly giant in the company.

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."

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.