Phelps Pet Products Buys Production Equipment from Simmons

Private label pet treats manufacturer Phelps Pet Products struck a deal to purchase manufacturing equipment from the Simmons Pet Food plant in Siloam Springs, AR, according to a company release. The move will enable Phelps to double its current production capacity and add new offerings to its portfolio.

“We are thrilled to collaborate with Simmons on this transformational growth step which will bring expanded state-of-the-art capacity and new capabilities to better service our customers,” the firm’s president and CEO, Rick Ruffolo, said in a statement. “After three years of unprecedented growth, there was an urgent need for significantly more capacity to fulfill increasing customer demand for our innovative ‘Made in USA’ treats, USDA certified organic recipes, our upcycled ingredient options, and our first-to-market plant-based (meatless) jerky treats.”

The company plans to spend $20 million to acquire the machinery. Phelps Pet Products said the equipment and new lines are expected to become operational in Q3 2022.

“We are a company of pet lovers, and as we move full speed ahead growing the capacity of our core pet food business as announced in 2021, we are pleased to know that Phelps Pet Products will put this equipment to good use to expand their pet treats capabilities,” Simmons Pet Foods president Scott Salmon said in the release.

Phelps Pet Products focuses on the production of “Meat Jerky” pet treats.

The sale of the equipment comes after Simmons announced plans last September to shift operations at its Siloam Springs facility from dry pet food and treats to wet pet food.