Purina to take a position USD 450 million in new pet meals plant within the US
Purina’s new operations will be geared towards sustainability, including a commitment not to send any waste for disposal, as well as production processes to recover and reuse heat and water
Nestlé Purina PetCare announced an estimated $ 450 million investment to open a new factory in Eden, North Carolina to meet growing demand for high quality, nutritious pet food.
This expansion is part of a broader growth plan for the company that began last year with the opening of the company's newest wet feed facility and distribution center in Hartwell, Georgia. The new plant in Eden will join Purina's network of 21 existing production sites in the United States and go into operation in 2022.
"Eden is Purina's first North Carolina manufacturing facility. With this addition, we are building on our more than 90-year history of producing science-based dog and cat food that pet owners trust," said Nina Leigh Krueger, President of Nestlé Purina UNS.
“Despite the challenging times we've all lived in, Purina has remained resilient. This strategic, long-term investment shows our commitment to high quality pet nutrition. We are grateful for the great partnership at the state and local level and look forward to being part of this community now and for many years to come. "
"North Carolina's manufacturing workforce is strong and this announcement marks an important new phase in the growth of Nestlé Purina," said Governor Cooper. "This company's global reputation for quality products, innovation, sustainability and corporate citizenship fits in well with the workforce, economy and business community of our state."
The new facility in Eden, North Carolina, located on the Virginia border, will revitalize a former brewery and turn it into an innovative, technically advanced pet food manufacturing facility. Preliminary plans include Purina investing US $ 450m / £ 347m in renovating the existing Rockingham County facility and producing leading dry dog and cat brands including Purina Pro Plan, Purina ONE and Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets.
"At Purina we are passionate about supporting the communities we live and work in and look forward to bringing that passion to Rockingham County," said Nolan Terry, Vice President Manufacturing, Purina.
“The property is in good shape and we have an incredible opportunity to convert it into a world class pet food facility. We also see great potential to work with highly skilled workers in the region and offer the opportunity to begin a new chapter in their careers at Purina. Great people and a great location are a win-win situation. "
The factory will be located on more than 1,300 acres near the North Carolina and Virginia border and will be approximately 1.3 million square feet in size. Purina plans to employ more than 300 people at its new factory location by 2024 while increasing the use of third-party jobs and local and regional economic development. Many of the jobs at Purina's new facility will include professional staff, production operators, technical staff and engineers.
Purina invests in its business and is committed to making pet care products the environmentally conscious way the company strives to do in all 21 US factories.
Purina’s new operations will be geared towards sustainability, including a commitment not to send any waste for disposal, as well as production processes to recover and reuse heat and water. Purina is also committed to providing the facility with 100 percent renewable electricity in the shortest possible time while supporting the company's endeavors to have no environmental impact on the company's operations by 2030.
Purina conducted a national search for the newest factory location and explored several potential locations in North Carolina and other states as part of the project. After detailed analysis, the proposal by Rockingham County, City of Eden and North Carolina state officials provides Purina with an opportunity to serve pet owners and retain and attract top talent over the long term.
"We're thrilled Nestlé Purina has selected Eden and Rockingham County as their new manufacturing house," said Mark Richardson, Chairman of the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners.
“The news of their expansion into this property brings so much light and vitality to our community. We are excited to bring this website back to life with new hires and a tax base, but most of all, we're excited to have it occupied by such a well-known and respected company. "
