Area Development
Grupo Antolin, the world’s top maker of vehicle headliners, signed a lease for 36,000 square feet in Hunt Midwest’s SubTropolis, the world’s largest underground business complex in Kansas City, Missouri. The company supplies headliners for Ford F-150s and Transit Vans and GM’s Chevrolet Malibu, as well as interior side panel package trays for both GM and Ford.

"We are excited that Grupo Antolin chose Hunt Midwest's Automotive Alley for the expansion of its existing Kansas City operations," said Mike Bell, Hunt Midwest Vice President and General Manager for Industrial/Commercial Real Estate. "The cluster effect of automotive companies within SubTropolis and our 692-acre surface development allow companies like Grupo Antolin to be more productive and efficient with their F-150 and Transit business."

Steve Woodward, Grupo Antolin logistics and supply chain systems manager, said the Spanish company chose SubTropolis because it has a wide range of warehousing options as well as superior climate control, round-the-clock security and affordable operational costs. The number one consideration, however, was location. “SubTropolis’ proximity to both the Ford and General Motors plants in Kansas City.

“After operating for several months on a temporary basis in Automotive Alley, we knew we had found the ideal location for our growing regional warehouse operations, and we look forward to adding to our presence in SubTropolis,” Woodward said.

Since 2011, a total of 11 automotive related companies have located in SubTropolis and the Hunt Midwest Business Center, for a total dedicated footprint of more than 500,000 square feet of leased space and 100 acres of developed land, respectively. Grupo Antolin employs about 300 people in various sites throughout the metro area.