Mars Opens $450 Million Pet Food Facility

Image courtesy of Mars, Incorporated / Royal CaninMars, Incorporated announced the opening of a new 450,000-sq-ft manufacturing facility in Lewisburg, Ohio to expand production of its U.S. Royal Canin pet food brand. The $450 million project, part of a larger $6 billion investment in U.S.-based manufacturing by the company, is expected to create as many as 270 new full-time jobs over the next five years and will reportedly produce enough dry pet food to feed 4 million pets annually. Royal Canin is the largest brand in the Mars portfolio.

"Our latest investment in Ohio is an important milestone in Mars' ongoing commitment to U.S.-based manufacturing," says Poul Weihrauch, CEO of Mars, Incorporated. "Over the last five years, we invested over $6 billion in the U.S., and we plan to continue to grow our ability to supply the domestic market. The Royal Canin facility in Lewisburg provides an important opportunity to further Mars' science-based innovation while supporting a community of people and pets that has long been a part of the Mars family."

Image courtesy of Mars, Incorporated / Royal CaninThe state-of-the-art facility uses standardized systems and process designs tested across Royal Canin facilities to replicate the brand's precise nutrition, the company says. The site was designed to manufacture the brand's entire regional dry kibble portfolio, making it the largest dry pet food factory globally for the brand. The facility has also earned a Silver Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification.

"The investment made into our Lewisburg site continues to represent the growth of the pet nutrition industry and the evolving needs of our pets and their owners," says Daryn Brown, Regional President, Royal Canin North America. "We're proud to expand and scale our capabilities to provide tailored nutrition to our North American market and continue expanding our presence within Lewisburg and Preble County."