Anchor Ingredients Invests $40M in New Pet Food Ingredient Processing Facility

Pet food ingredient supplier Anchor Ingredients announces a new transload and ingredient processing facility in Richmond, IN. The $40 million facility, located in the heart of pet food manufacturing, will be situated in the Midwest Industrial Park.

The groundbreaking of the Fargo, ND-based company marks an important milestone in its commitment to meeting the evolving needs of the pet food industry. The new facility will expand rail infrastructure within the industrial park and provide bulk storage, warehouse space, onsite ingredient processing, and the latest in quality assurance testing to enhance Anchor’s ability to provide a reliable source of premium ingredients to support the growing network of pet food manufacturers in the region.

"We are thrilled to break ground on our new transload and ingredient processing facility in Richmond," said Al Yablonski, CEO and co-founder of Anchor Ingredients. "This facility represents a significant investment in the pet food industry and demonstrates our dedication to being a true supply chain partner and delivering high-quality ingredients that meet the demands of our customers."

Anchor will be able to drive efficiencies for its customers by optimizing logistics, providing onsite ingredient processing and local distribution to combat the nation's ongoing supply chain issues.

"This expansion into Richmond will continue to diversify our product and service offerings within the pet food industry and further position Anchor as the preferred supply chain partner for the world’s largest pet food brands,” Yablonski said.

Anchor recently commissioned North Freeze Dry (www.northfreezedry.com), a new and fully integrated co-manufacturer of freeze-dried pet foods, in central Minnesota earlier this year, and has recently launched an innovative ingredient traceability technology platform custom built to meet the sustainability needs within the pet food industry.

The Richmond facility is expected to create 30 new jobs, offering employment opportunities, and contributing to the economic development of the area. 

"We are delighted to have secured a financial vote of confidence from Anchor Ingredients,” said Richmond Mayor, Dave Snow. “Anchor's meaningful investment will provide a key element in the growth of our pet food manufacturing sector. We've seen significant investment in Richmond over the last six months, which are rallying points that show our current upward trajectory."

Based on the company’s growth plans, the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC) committed investment in Anchor Ingredients of up to $310,000 in the form of incentive-based tax credits and up to $200,000 in Manufacturing Readiness Grants. These investments are performance-based, meaning the company is eligible to claim incentives once Hoosiers are hired.

Construction of the transload and ingredient processing facility will begin immediately, with completion expected by June 1, 2024.