Dakota Bodies Invests Over $20M in New Liberty Facility, Adds 172 Jobs

South Dakota-based Dakota Bodies announced it will expand in Liberty, investing more than $21.9 million and creating 172 new jobs. Photo credit: Shutterstock (Jenson).

Posted April 7, 2026

A South Dakota-based manufacturer is investing more than $21.9 million in Liberty, Missouri, to build a new facility that will increase its production capacity.

Dakota Bodies will be replacing its Liberty facility with a new location, which will create 172 new jobs in the area, according to a release from the Missouri Department of Economic Development. Its current 90,000-square-foot Liberty facility is located at 2901 E Heartland Dr., part of the Heartland Meadows Industrial Park. Dakota Bodies said it would be doubling the size of its manufacturing footprint in Liberty as part of this investment.

Founded in 1977, Dakota Bodies is a manufacturer of utility and service truck bodies. The company is part of the ATW Truck Equipment family of brands, which also includes CM Truck Beds, PJ Truck Beds and Warrior Truck Beds. Dakota Bodies is headquartered in Watertown, South Dakota.

“This new facility strengthens our ability to deliver on that commitment — giv­ing our customers faster lead times, greater capacity, and a more reliable partner as they grow their own businesses,” Senior Vice President and General Manager of ATW Truck Equipment Braden Edwards said in the release.

The company is estimated to receive over $1.3 million through the Missouri Works Program, according to the department.

The facility’s upgrades include advanced laser cutting technology, state-of-the-art metal forming capabilities, and enhanced power coating systems. The manufacturer said the reason behind its expansion is a direct response to growing demand from its distributor and fleet partners.

“Liberty is the most aggressive city in Missouri and Kansas for attracting and retaining jobs. Our tax incentive program has produced $2.5 billion in private sector investment and created more than 7,000 jobs in our targeted industries,” Liberty Mayor Greg Canuteson said in the release. “We are excited that Dakota Bodies chose to invest and expand in Liberty over cities in Texas and look forward to our partnership in the future.”