LEWISBURG, Ohio – Governor DeWine celebrated the Grand Opening of Royal Canin’s new pet food manufacturing facility in Preble County last week.
The new $450 million facility in Lewisburg will create up to 270 new full-time jobs over the next five years and will produce enough dry pet food to feed 4 million pets annually.
A division of Mars, Incorporated, Royal Canin designs precise, science-based nutrition for cats and dogs available at pet specialty retailers and veterinary practices worldwide.
JobsOhio supported the project with $3.5 million in grants, and the Ohio Tax Credit Authority approved a 10-year Job Creation Tax Credit for Royal Canin in 2021.
“The decision by Royal Canin and parent company Mars to locate its new facility in Ohio represents a significant vote of confidence in Ohio’s business environment, our talented, highly-trained workforce, and our outstanding quality of life,” said Governor DeWine. “We are pleased that Royal Canin has expanded its presence in Lewisburg, and we look forward to partnering with them as they succeed in Ohio, the Heart of it All.”
“We welcome Royal Canin’s decision to choose Ohio for its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Lewisburg, which brings hundreds of jobs to its largest dry pet food production facility globally,” said JobsOhio President and CEO J.P. Nauseef. “We are grateful for the close collaboration with our state and local partners to attract Royal Canin to Preble County, ensuring Ohio plays an essential role in bringing the company’s nutritious products to pets that are loved by households throughout the North American market.”
The state-of-the-art facility uses standardized systems and process designs tested across Royal Canin facilities to replicate the brand’s precise nutrition. The site can manufacture the brand’s entire regional dry kibble portfolio, making it the largest dry pet food factory globally for the brand.
“Our latest investment in Ohio is an important milestone in Mars ongoing commitment to U.S.-based manufacturing,” said Poul Weihrauch, CEO of Mars, Incorporated. “Over the last five years, we invested over $6 billion in the U.S. and we plan to continue to grow our ability to supply the domestic market. The Royal Canin facility in Lewisburg provides an important opportunity to further Mars science-based innovation while supporting a community of people and pets that has long been a part of the Mars family.”
Mars has been in Ohio since 1943, when its first manufacturing location in the state opened in Wayne County. Royal Canin has had a presence in Lewisburg since 1987.
