Round-up: pet players ramp up production and R&D infrastructure

In November, a fresh wave of facility expansions from international players emerged. GlobalPETS takes a closer look at the details behind these new factories, warehouses, and research and development (R&D) sites.

Zoetis, US

The American animal health company invested $590 million (€543M) in a new manufacturing site located in Douglasville, Georgia, near Atlanta. The new facility, which is currently 70% complete, is expected to be operational by 2029.

Zoetis says the facility will produce monoclonal antibody (mAb) products (lab-made proteins that kill germs) and vaccines for companion animals. 

Advanced manufacturing technologies such as collaborative robots (cobots), virtual reality training and a next-generation Manufacturing Execution System (MES) are integrated into the facility to streamline operations and boost productivity. 

“By expanding our capabilities here, we’re not only driving innovation but also reaffirming our commitment to meeting the evolving needs of our customers, who count on us for breakthrough solutions that support the health and well-being of pets everywhere,” says Kristin Peck, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Zoetis. 

Zoetis currently operates 9 manufacturing sites across 7 US states. In 2024, the company reported a revenue of $9.3 billion (€8.56B).

Real Pet Food Company, Australia

On 13 November, in Australia, Real Pet Food Company (RPF) launched its new R&D facility, Fresh(labs). The multi-million-dollar investment, according to the company, “will accelerate science, education and innovation of pet food.” 

“Pets may be living longer, but research shows their health span – years lived in good health – is declining. Conditions such as obesity, allergies, gastrointestinal disease, and chronic illness are on the rise,” Germaine Chua, CEO of RPF, says.

Fresh(labs) is Asia-Pacific’s first R&D initiative for fresh pet nutrition, the company says. As part of its key initiatives, it will introduce an independent advisory board of scientists. It will also provide multi-year support for DogRisk at the University of Helsinki and for the development of the new CatRisk program based on feline health. 

In addition, Fresh(labs) will launch the Fresher Futures Scholarship Program, which will fund postgraduate research at leading independent universities. 

Trouw Nutrition, Brazil

Dutch animal health company Trouw Nutrition opened a new manufacturing unit in the Brazilian city of Arujá, São Paulo, to help drive its double-digit annual growth in the pet segment.

The Center of Excellence in Special Pet Blends and Premixes (CEBPET) complex, which spans an exclusive area of 3,000 square meters, will commence operations in December. According to the company, the project was designed to quintuple its current service capacity and “should double current production in its first year of operation.”

The facility features dedicated, isolated zones for receiving and storing raw materials, a fully automated mixing tower, areas for finished product storage and an integrated logistics yard.

“We are investing in Brazil and continuing with ongoing expansion plans to keep pace with market growth,” says Augusto Adami, General Manager for Latin America at Trouw Nutrition. “CEBPET reflects our commitment to growing alongside the Brazilian market and the pet food brands that operate within it.”

Headquartered in Amersfoort, the Netherlands, approximately 50 km from Amsterdam, Trouw Nutrition currently operates in 105 countries.

Central Garden & Pet, US

Central Garden & Pet unveiled its new state-of-the-art fulfillment center in Salt Lake City, Utah, expanding its supply chain network.

The new facility consolidated the two legacy sites in Ontario, California and Salt Lake City into a single, modern, direct-to-consumer (DTC)-enabled hub. It features advanced safety systems, optimized workflows and expanded capacity.

“With taller clear heights, expanded door capacity, larger staging areas and DTC capabilities, we are building a more agile, efficient and resilient network that will allow us to deliver faster, safer and more cost-effectively,” Jordan Downs, Vice President of Supply Chain at Central Garden & Pet, says.

The Salt Lake City facility is the company’s third omnichannel fulfillment center, following the recent openings in Easton, Pennsylvania, and Covington, Georgia. 

Central Garden & Pet offers a portfolio of more than 60 pet and garden products brands, including Ferry-Morse, Four Paws, Cadet and Nylabone.

Furchild, UAE

Dubai-based food and beverage (F&B) manufacturer Furchild opened a new fresh pet food facility in the city.  

The new facility, which produces human-grade pet food, features new machinery and technological advancements, including an inline inspection system, a smart cold-chain monitoring system for raw materials, and a temperature-controlled loading and unloading bays.

“This kitchen is proof that with the right vision, team and perseverance, we can raise global standards right here in the UAE, while contributing to a more sustainable and secure future for food in the region,” said Rob Kelly, Co-founder and CEO of Furchild.

Founded in 2016, Furchild produces raw pet food for dogs and cats as well as freeze-dried treats and supplements. 

Pet Science Develop, Latvia

Latvian pet food maker Pet Science Develop is opening a new wet food facility at the Freeport of Ventspils, approximately 185 km from the capital Riga.

The €15 million ($16.4M) facility is expected to open in the first half of 2026, Normunds Brīnums, CEO of Pet Science Develop, tells GlobalPETS.

In the first phase, the facility plans to produce 10,000 tons of wet pet food for cats and dogs annually. During the second phase in 2027, the capacity is expected to double to 20,000 tons.

“With this project, we aim to strengthen Latvia’s position in the European premium pet food market. We see rapidly growing demand, and our goal is to offer healthy, safe and competitive products,” says Brīnums.

Vafo Group, Wales

Vafo Group’s leading pet food and health brand, Pooch & Mutt, has acquired a new laboratory at AberInnovation, “a world-class campus supporting cutting-edge agri-tech and biotech research,” the company says. The acquisition was made to strengthen the scientific foundation of its products, such as the Gut Health Test Kit.

Earlier this year, Pooch & Mutt acquired BIOME9, a microbiome research company for veterinary partners across the UK. The new lab is located alongside the University of Aberystwyth and Aberystwyth Vet School, in Wales, bringing all BIOME9 laboratory operations in-house.

The Gut Health Test Kit, powered by BIOME9, uses science, research and AI to deep dive into dogs’ unique microbiomes and identify current or potential future health issues.

The investment also saw the company adding two new bioscientists to the team to expand technical and analytical expertise, with plans to extend microbiome testing to new sample types and animal species.

“By investing in BIOME9’s in-house laboratory capabilities, we can ensure the highest level of quality control and deliver faster, deeper insights from our Gut Health Tests. It’s another major stride towards making good gut health accessible and actionable for every dog,” Paul Dennison, CEO of Pooch & Mutt, says.

VitaKraft, Czech Republic

Bremen-headquartered animal feed maker VitaKraft has completed construction of its new warehouse in the Czech Republic, a project that took 1.5 years.

“It enables fast and reliable deliveries, ensures high flexibility, and creates room for the expansion of our production. The new warehouse is an important step forward and a key investment in the future,” the company says in a LinkedIn post, highlighting “modern technologies and efficient processes.” 

VitaKraft produces pet food for dogs, cats, fish, birds, garden animals, small animals, as well as reptiles across 5 countries. The company has 20 international offices and exports to over 50 countries worldwide.