TOPEKA, Kan., June 18, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hill's Pet
Nutrition announced their intent to invest more than $250 million to build a new factory in
Leavenworth County in their home
state of Kansas to help meet the
growing demand for their #1 vet recommended Hill's pet
nutrition.
"Hill's Pet Nutrition's decision to invest $250 million in Kansas and bring 80 new jobs to Tonganoxie is further proof that Kansas' Animal Health Corridor can out-compete
any region in the world for these industry investments and jobs,"
Governor Laura Kelly said. "With our
central location, talented workforce and reputation as a global
leader in animal health and science, our partnership with Hill's is
a no-brainer."
"Hill's Pet Nutrition is excited to be growing our roots in
Kansas. We've been part of the
community for almost 80 years and this new facility will help us to
meet our mission of enriching and lengthening the special
relationships between people and their pets by providing our high
quality nutrition," said Jesper Nordengaard, President of Hill's
Pet Nutrition, a division of the Colgate-Palmolive Company (NYSE:
CL).
Working in close partnership with the Kansas Department of
Commerce, the Leavenworth County Development Corporation, the
City of Tonganoxie, Evergy, and
Kansas Gas Service, Hill's chose the site for its excellent
location, access to a talented and diverse pool of workers, a
strong and welcoming community and proximity to distributors and
suppliers.
"This looks like a fantastic smart-growth project for our
community," said David Frese, mayor
of Tonganoxie. "It checks a bunch
of the right boxes. A Kansas
company; an environmentally up-to-date facility; a manageable
influx of new neighbors; great jobs that pay well; high-tech
opportunities for our young people; the possibility of attracting
more business to Tonganoxie; and a
boon to the city's economy."
"We are thrilled to welcome a quality company like Hill's Pet
Nutrition to Tonganoxie. This
project will represent the largest capital investment ever made by
a manufacturer in Leavenworth
County. We'd like to recognize the vision and investment the
city and county made in building the business park to allow us to
take advantage of such a great opportunity," said Steve Jack, Executive Director, Leavenworth
County Development Corporation.
The new state-of-the-art facility will be built on 80 acres in
Tonganoxie Business Park in Tonganoxie,
KS and will help Hill's Pet Nutrition meet the increasing
demand for science-led pet nutrition. The new, innovative factory
will feature the latest manufacturing technology and is expected to
employ at least 80 people by 2025. The Tonganoxie City Council is
scheduled to review the development agreement outlining the project
at its meeting June 21. Once all
approvals are granted, construction is expected to begin later this
year and be completed by 2023.
"We are grateful for the partnership with the state of
Kansas, the Leavenworth County
Development Corporation and the City of
Tonganoxie to create this opportunity," added Nicki Baty, Vice President and General Manager,
US Hill's Pet Nutrition.
The Tonganoxie plant will join
four other Hill's manufacturing sites in the United States, including facilities in
Emporia and Topeka in Kansas. Topeka is also home to Hill's global
headquarters and its Pet Nutrition Center -- recently expanded to
include a new Small Paws facility to develop products for small dog
breeds. "The new Tonganoxie
facility will be built with the highest quality and food safety
standards as well as the latest technology," said Jose Borrell, VP of Global Supply Chain, Hill's
Pet Nutrition.
Hill's Pet Nutrition is committed to minimizing its
environmental footprint, replenishing natural resources and leading
the industry in more ethical, responsible practices. As with all of
its manufacturing facilities, the Company plans to certify the
Tonganoxie factory under the Total
Resource Use and Efficiency (TRUE®) program for zero
waste.
"We will design our newest facility with sustainability at the
forefront of our design. We plan to maximize our water and energy
efficiency as well as continuing our commitment to be LEED
Certified," said Bart Fisher,
Director of Supply, Hill's Pet Nutrition.
"Kansas' expertise and prime
location for animal health leaders is undeniable, and this planned
investment from Hill's is proof," Lieutenant Governor and Commerce
Secretary David Toland said. "Thank
you to Hill's for continuing to set the standard for Kansas animal health and pet food
manufacturing. Our partnership with Hill's is a source of pride for
our state, and I'm so proud to see that partnership continue to
grow even stronger."
For any media inquiries please contact Hill's Pet Nutrition at
mediacontact@hillspet.com.
About Hill's Pet Nutrition
At Hill's, our decades of science and research guide us in
creating nutrition that's a step ahead —so pets and pet parents can
enjoy every day together. As the US #1 Veterinarian Recommended pet
food brand, knowledge is our first ingredient with 220+
veterinarians, PhD nutritionists and food scientists working to
develop breakthrough innovations in pet health. Hill's Prescription
Diet therapeutic nutrition plus our everyday foods, Hill's Science
Diet, Hill's Healthy Advantage and Hill's Bioactive Recipe, are
sold at vet clinics and pet specialty retailers worldwide. For more
information about Hill's, our products and our forward-thinking
approach to nutrition, visit us at HillsPet.com or HillsVet.com, or
connect with us on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and Instagram.
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SOURCE Hill's Pet Nutrition