More than three years in the making, Nestlé Purina PetCare on March 26 celebrated the official opening of its newest pet food factory, a $450 million renovation of a closed MillerCoors brewery in Eden, N.C.
The 1.3 million-sq.-ft. facility repurposes 80% of the former brewery's existing structure but builds in several modern technologies, including the first vertical dryer installed in a Purina U.S. factory as well as automated systems in warehousing and the freezer space. It was first announced in October 2020.
It also features a Manufacturing Experience Center, designed to introduce modern manufacturing to the next generation of workers.
The Eden plant will operate as a zero waste for disposal facility. Across its manufacturing network, Purina is working to conserve water and achieve 100% renewable electricity at its factories by 2025.
Nestled on 1,350 acres extending to the Virginia state line, Eden is the 23rd Purina manufacturing operation in the U.S. Between 2020 and 2025, Nestlé plans to invest $2 billion in Purina factories and capital expansion projects. A 24th factory is under construction in Williamsburg Township, Ohio, and is expected to be fully operational in the next 12 months.
The new facility already created more than 300 jobs, with plans to add more personnel in the future.
