Plant Openings
Nestlé Purina PetCare Opens $550M Pet Food Plant in Ohio
Purina employees and robot dog Spot walk the hall of Purina's new pet food factory in Ohio during its grand opening on Aug. 31. Spot, created by Boston Dynamics, is trained to conduct thermal and acoustic inspections of machinery as part of the factory's digital manufacturing program.
Nestlé Purina PetCare recently celebrated the grand opening of its new pet food manufacturing facility in Batavia, Ohio.
Representing an investment of more than $550 million, the Batavia factory is Purina's first new factory built from the ground up since 1975 and the largest investment Nestlé has made in a Purina manufacturing facility to date. The facility is already producing Purina brands including Purina Pro Plan, Purina ONE and Dog Chow. It currently employs more than 430 associates, with plans to grow to more than 500 team members when fully operational.
"Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Purina in Ohio," says Nina Leigh Krueger, president and CEO of Purina. "The Batavia factory reflects our long-term commitment to American manufacturing, innovation and the communities where we operate. By investing in state-of-the-art infrastructure and partnering with a skilled workforce and supportive community, we have built a facility that will help us serve pets and their owners for generations to come."
Located approximately 30 miles east of Cincinnati, the Batavia operation expands Purina's manufacturing footprint in Ohio and becomes the company's 24th factory in the United States. The 1.3 million-sq.-ft. facility was designed to help meet ongoing consumer demand for nutritious pet food while providing greater flexibility and efficiency across Purina's manufacturing network.
"Today is a great day for Clermont County as Nestlé Purina officially opens its new pet food factory in Ohio, bringing hundreds of new jobs to the region," says Ohio Governor Mike DeWine. "Ohio is truly the heart of opportunity, and this investment will have long-lasting impacts on the local economy and the people who live here."
Inspired by Nestlé facilities around the world, the Batavia factory incorporates advanced food safety systems, digital manufacturing tools, robotics and automation to support efficient production while maintaining Purina's quality standards. The facility's 10-plus-story design includes an Automated Storage and Retrieval System (ASRS), advanced digital manufacturing technology and a Manufacturing Experience Center that helps visitors, students and community leaders better understand modern manufacturing.
The facility will help feed approximately eight million pets annually and is designed to quickly adapt to changing consumer needs across Purina's portfolio of trusted brands.
"What makes Batavia special is the combination of cutting-edge technology and an exceptional team," says Mike Ferritto, Batavia factory manager. "This facility represents the very best of Purina's manufacturing expertise and our associates are bringing that vision to life every day. We're proud to produce high-quality products that pet owners trust while building a strong future right here in Clermont County."
Purina selected Batavia because of the region's strong manufacturing heritage, talented workforce and strategic location within the Cincinnati area's food manufacturing ecosystem. This project also expands Purina's manufacturing footprint in Ohio, joining its long-standing Zanesville factory that has operated in the state since 1973.
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