Firms expand production capacities in the US and Canada

Pet firms are investing in expanding production across the US and Canada. GlobalPETS highlights the latest developments.

Angelcare

The Canadian baby and pet care product manufacturer has invested over CA$20 million ($14.6M/€13.5M) in a new state-of-the-art 130,000-square-foot logistics and packaging center in Milton, Ontario, about 55 km from Toronto.

The new facility will serve as Angelcare’s national warehouse and distribution hub. It will also be its first dedicated packaging facility for Litter Genie® Light, its cat litter product made from natural Canadian bentonite clay.

According to Rahul Sharda, CEO of Angelcare Group, this investment reflects the company’s confidence in Canada as the “cornerstone” of its global operations. 

“The new packaging and distribution center in Milton is a bold step forward in strengthening our supply chain, creating new opportunities for our people, and ensuring we deliver the quality, service and innovation our customers expect,” he says. 

It is strategically located near major highways, the Port of Montreal, and the proposed CN Rail Milton Logistics Hub. It is also equipped with an automated packaging line capable of producing 4.6 million boxes annually.

Big Creek Foods

The Georgia-based private-label pet treat manufacturer has announced a major expansion of its production capabilities by installing new extrusion and supplement manufacturing equipment at its Gainesville factory.

The upgrade will boost output capacity by sixfold, enabling the production of multiple product styles, including dental chews, soft chews and functional bars. It will also enable Big Creek Foods to manufacture supplements for both cats and dogs.

In addition, the company is currently working on the construction and equipment installation for its new Cat Pillow Treats production line, with full commercial launch expected in early 2026.

“We’ve strategically invested in equipment that not only increases throughput but also broadens the range of product formats and functional claims we can support for our customers,” says Gary Sheets, President of Big Creek Foods.

dsm-firmenich

European ingredient player dsm-firmenich has opened its new pet-only premix facility in Tonganoxie, Kansas, on 20 October. This launch marks the second facility in the company’s pet food portfolio, following the opening of its European site in Haag, Austria, earlier this year.

The new facility features a 100% automated micro-ingredient addition and fully traceable batch assembly. It will produce vitamins, carotenoids, omega-3s, trace minerals, vegetable powders, fruit powders and microbiome solutions for pet food.

“The site’s advanced blending technology enables the precise integration of these components into a single, homogeneous premix supported by tightly controlled processing environments to maintain nutrient integrity,” Rishabh Pande, Global VP for Pet Food at dsm-firmenich, tells GlobalPETS. 

NextGen Tonganoxie can also cater to all manner of premixes, including therapeutic, premium, maintenance, growth and functional formulations.

Pande points out that Tonganoxie was chosen for its strategic location within the US Animal Health Corridor, the epicenter of North American pet nutrition innovation. 

“The new pet food-dedicated premix facility places dsm-firmenich in close proximity to many leading pet food manufacturers, offering significant logistical efficiencies and opportunities for direct collaboration,” he concludes.