Latest investments to boost pet food manufacturing capabilities: a look at global developments

GlobalPETS highlights the latest expansion developments in the pet food manufacturing sector.

Kormotech

The Ukrainian pet food manufacturer has signed a 13-month contract with Lithuanian construction company AB Panevėžio statybos trestas to build a manufacturing, warehousing and administrative site in the city of Kėdainiai, Lithuania.

The construction deal worth €26.5 million ($27.8M) will contribute toward a 2-story building featuring a total floor area of 16,000 square meters and reserved production, administration, storage facilities and other necessary units to support the main building. It will be responsible for the production of wet pet food.

Construction is expected to be completed by the end of 2025.

Kormotech received earlier in the year a €40 million ($43.7M) loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) to support the construction of a second facility in the Baltic country.

Big Country Raw

Canadian frozen raw pet food maker Big Country Raw is investing CAD 8.9 million ($6.3M/€6M) to enhance manufacturing capabilities at its Smithville plant. The initiative is supported by a CAD 1.3 million ($928.6K/€879.2K) loan from Ontario’s provincial government.

The funding will create 16 jobs in a new 29,000-square-foot facility.

According to local media, the investment will also double the plant’s footprint, improve cold chain logistics and distribution, raise food safety standards and integrate advanced automation systems.

Different Dog

British fresh pet food manufacturer Different Dog has secured a 10-year lease for a 40,000-square-foot unit at Pioneer Park in Telford, Shropshire, aiming to expand its production capacity.

The new site will support the production of the company’s signature hand-cooked dog food.

It has signed a lease agreement with Redsun Projects, a commercial property development company.

Local sources report that the B-Corp-certified company also received substantial backing from an unnamed European firm active in the pet food sector. Additionally, the UK’s West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has contributed support to the project.

KIKA Group

The Baltic pet food and care products provider has told GlobalPETS that it has started construction on its €20.5 million ($21.6M) wet pet food production facility in Lithuania.

This strategic investment is set to expand the group’s product portfolio with 52 new items and reinforce its position in European and Southeast Asian markets.