KANSAS CITY—SubTropolis, the giant underground business park that has helped developer Hunt Midwest earn record-setting profits, continues to expand, and has emerged as a leading logistics location for the Kansas City's Animal Health Corridor, a concentration of more than 300 animal health companies in the metro area. Over the past 12 months, the complex has announced three animal health expansions.

In April, Virbac Corp., the world's 8th largest independent veterinary pharmaceutical company, began consolidating its North American product warehousing and distribution operations in SubTropolis. Based in Carros, France, Virbac joins existing animal health tenants Ceva Animal Health and IodiTech Inc., bringing the industry's footprint in SubTropolis to a quarter million square feet.

“By bringing processes and people together at this Kansas City facility, we are boosting collaboration and efficiency within our manufacturing operations,” says Paul R. Hays, Virbac president and chief executive officer. “A SubTropolis location will help Virbac better align itself within the animal health corridor.”

“SubTropolis is the total package for animal health companies and their unique requirements for product safety and climate control, providing significant operational cost efficiencies,” adds Hunt Midwest president and chief executive officer Ora Reynolds.

SubTropolis, an Energy Star rated facility, provides a climate-controlled environment that costs much less to operate than above-ground buildings. That's especially compelling for animal health and pharmaceutical companies that must maintain strict temperature and humidity levels to meet industry standards for their products, according to Hunt Midwest vice president Mike Bell.

“The underground's protective layer of limestone essentially offers 'natural' cooling that saves companies between 70 and 80% on utilities and equipment compared to a building on the surface,” Bell says. “There's an 'Aha Moment' when companies fully realize how a SubTropolis location can substantially improve their bottom line.”

Ceva Animal Health chose SubTropolis for a new North American warehouse and distribution center in 2015 and expanded in 2016 to accommodate a growing demand for its products. Ceva chief executive officer Craig Wallace said consistent conditions and the ability to easily expand were two key reasons the company chose SubTropolis.

“The underground location is a great solution for Ceva's current and future warehousing needs,” Wallace says. “As we add products and expand into new categories, we require scalable space and partners like Hunt Midwest who can accommodate our growth and evolve with us.”

“Hunt Midwest SubTropolis is a valued strategic partner as we work on behalf of the Kansas City Area Development Council to attract global animal health companies to the Greater Kansas City region,” says Kimberly Young, president of the KC Animal Health Corridor.

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SubTropolis Growing as a Distribution Center

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