Mars opens $450 million manufacturing facility near Indiana border
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Virginia-based Mars Inc. on Wednesday marked the opening of its $450 million Royal Canin manufacturing facility in Lewisburg, Ohio, about 15 minutes from the Indiana state line near Richmond.
The 450,000-square-foot facility is expected to employ up to 270 people over the next five years.
Mars said in a news release that the facility can manufacture the Royal Canin brand’s entire regional dry kibble portfolio. The plant has the capacity to produce enough pet food to feed 4 million pets each year.
CEO Poul Weihrauch said the project is part of more than $6 billion that Mars has invested in its U.S. operations in the last five years.
“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,” added Daryn Brown, regional president for 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.”
The facility is located about 25 minutes east of Richmond, which is also home to several pet food manufacturers, including Anchor Ingredients, Blue Buffalo, and Diamond Pet Foods.
The opening of the Ohio facility comes during the middle of the Sweets & Snacks Expo taking place at the Indiana Convention Center in downtown Indianapolis, at which Mars has a significant presence.