Capital spending for pet food processing continues a torrid pace, with two players announcing major projects.
Nestlé Purina Pet Care will spend at least $100 million to expand its pet food plant in Jefferson, Mo. The 25,000-sq.-ft. expansion would increase the plant’s output by 30% with 75 more full-time employees. Local authorities are expected to provide incentives in the form of rebates on the additional property taxes that the project would generate.
Simmons Pet Food is executing a $500 million strategic growth plan that includes a new high-speed canning line at its plant in Emporia, Kansas; a startup of a second line at a plant in Dubuque, Iowa; and a new distribution facility in Edgerton, Kansas.
The new line in the Emporia plant will be the fourth for a facility that started in 1988 with a single line. Today it includes operations for food in both cans and flexible packaging, with more than 1,500 employees.
The Dubuque facility was opened last year. Its new line is scheduled to become operational next month.
