Fort Worth Welcomes Chinese EV Parts Manufacturer to 55k SF Industrial Facility

At the end of July 2023, Junchuang North American Inc. (JCNA), a car parts manufacturer, announced their expansion into Fort Worth. The company plans to invest $21mm into their 55k SF industrial facility located at 46 Ranch Logistics Park, developed by Jackson Shaw, in south Fort Worth, with projections estimating the creation of over 120 new jobs.

JCNA currently supplies brands such as Jaguar, Land Rover, Ford, and Mazda with plastic parts, specializing in parts for EV use. The company plans to use the facility as both a North American R&D hub and manufacturing center. The deal was made possible with the help of the Fort Worth Economic Development Partnership (FWEDP) and Stream Realty.

Robert Allen, CEO of the FWEDP, spoke to the collaborative effort behind the investment:

We are thrilled that Junchuang North American, Inc. is expanding to Fort Worth. Our collaborative efforts with the City of Fort Worth's Economic Development team and Stream Realty have helped pave the way for this significant investment, which will enhance our region's manufacturing capabilities and create high-quality jobs.

The location of the industrial park is prime, offering both direct rail access and easy highway access, while being in close proximity to other automotive manufacturing. The FWEDP noted the GM assembly plant in Arlington and MP Materials' rare-earth metal facility in Alliance as complementary neighbors.

Vinson Yang, President and CEO of JCNA, spoke to the attractiveness of the area:

Fort Worth offers a strategic location with a robust business environment and a skilled workforce. The city's commitment to supporting technological advancements and sustainable solutions aligns perfectly with our vision. We are excited to establish our presence here and contribute to the growth of the local economy.

There is certainly a sense of irony seeing a Chinese manufacturer set up shop in the United States, even if it is for plastic manufacturing. However, foreign investment is a major tailwind for the economic growth of any area -- and DFW has not been lacking in that department. In the past few months, The Metroplex has seen major investments from Ericsson and Volvo (oddly enough, both are Swedish).

These investments are a testament to The Metroplex's perfect storm of highly-skilled workers, business-friendly policies, and prime geographic positioning. Investments from out-of-state and overseas, combined with growth of local businesses, will help to ensure the DFW area maintains its growth as a robust, diversified economy. Additionally, while industrial absorption is the immediate effect (those warehouse guys seem to have all the fun), the downstream effects of new investments should touch all asset classes and businesses as the new facilities are completed and workers begin to settle in.