Since the low point of the recession, the Springfield manufacturing sector has bounced back with an impressive 13% job growth. World-famous Springfield Remanufacturing Corporation (the subject of many business case studies for its pioneering success with open-book management) is headquartered here with a workforce of approximately 1,000. Kraft Foods, 3M, John Deere Remanufacturing, Loren Cook Company, and Paul Mueller are other key manufacturers with operations that provide an additional 2,000-plus jobs.
The city’s central location within the nation also makes it a cost-effective location for shipping and transport services. Prime Inc., headquartered in Springfield, is North America’s most successful refrigerated, flatbed, and tanker carrier. SRC Logistics provides a broad range of services, including public and contract warehousing, non-asset-based transportation management, fulfillment, distribution, and reverse logistics. Phoenix International, with locations in Springfield, Kansas City, and St. Louis, is the largest privately owned, full-service international freight forwarder.