Italian ammo box maker coming to US with $16M KC manufacturing facility, 160+ jobs

A new 100,000-square-foot facility in Kansas City marks an Italian precision parts manufacturer’s entrance into the North American market — and signals momentum for the region’s advanced manufacturing sector, said Steven Anthony.

RB SRL — a maker of a broad range of components for hunting and shooting ammo, along with ammunition containers for the military/defense market, and that serves customers in more than 50 countries — announced its $16 million investment in the Kansas City site Thursday.

The company, operating as RB America Corp., pledged to bring 163 new jobs to the region.

“As an international company, they had many choices on where to locate, so their decision to come here highlights the strategic economic advantages our city offers,” said Anthony, vice president of business development for the Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City, Missouri.

Production testing for the new facility will begin in November and is expected to be fully operational by early 2025. Leading commercial real estate advisory firm Newmark Zimmer led the search for this project. Other strategic partners involved in the deal included the Kansas City Area Development Council, KC SmartPort, the Missouri Partnership, and Missouri Department of Economic Development.

RB SRL encompasses four production plants in Italy and now one in the United States. 

“State-of-the-art technology and multiple production lines will set the new benchmark for the production of ammunition boxes, with enough capacity to meet the current demand for military boxes in the U.S. market,” said Renato Ballabio, president of RB America Corp. “The U.S. plant, of which we are very proud, incorporates all the best technologies we have developed over the years, as well as the knowledge gained from more than 30 years of experience in ammunition box production through our Italian company.”

The Kansas City region is a leading North American industrial hub, with 70 million square feet of industrial development delivered in the last ten years and an unmatched central location that gives companies the advantage of providing two-day shipping to 90 percent of the contiguous U.S. and access to more than 190,000 manufacturing and logistics employees.

“As both a top 15 U.S. industrial market and top 15 U.S. city for foreign business, Kansas City is uniquely positioned to support the growth and success of advanced manufacturers in the competitive North American market,” said Chris Gutierrez, president of KC SmartPort. “RB America Corp.’s decision to establish their first U.S. facility in Kansas City is a testament to our region as a highly-attractive location for companies looking to take their manufacturing operations to the next level.”

“We’re proud that another world-class manufacturer like RB SRL has recognized Missouri as an ideal business location,” added Gov. Mike Parson, R-Missouri. “When we met earlier this year in Italy, RB SRL made it clear that they are committed to growth and innovation. We look forward to this cutting-edge employer’s contributions to our vibrant manufacturing sector as it establishes a presence in Kansas City.”