Nestle Purina Cuts Ribbon on New $320M Pet Food Plant

Pet food and pet products manufacturer Nestle Purina PetCare Company held an event on Monday to mark the opening of its new production facility in Hartwell, GA. The site is the first new plant built in the US by Purina in about two decades. 

The Swiss-owned company invested $320 million in the project to increase production of wet cat food, including the Fancy Feast brand. Nestle Purina renovated a former textile factory in Hartwell to house the new production assets and installed new equipment and technology in the site.   

“Through this investment in Hartwell, Purina is continuing to deliver science-based nutrition made to the highest standards of quality and safety that pet owners have come to trust for more than 90 years,” Joseph Sivewright, chief executive officer of Purina, said in a statement. “Purina’s Hartwell team is critical to helping us deliver quality nutrition so pets can live longer, healthier lives with their owners. We’re very excited to be a part of the Hartwell community, and we’re proud of the great teamwork by everyone involved to build a world-class facility that will operate in a sustainable way.”

Purina’s new plant includes water conservation and treatment technology and zero-waste-to-landfill capabilities. Over the next few years, the facility will be powered by 100% renewable electricity, according to the company.

Some 200 workers currently hold positions at the Hartwell plant, and Nestle Purina said it intends to add an additional 40 jobs as it adds new lines and expands the facility in the coming years. 

The company also opened a distribution center in Hartwell in 2018.

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