MEXICO — Nestlé Purina recently announced a US$99 million investment in its Silao, Guanajuato-based pet food plant which will expand the company’s facility, creating two new production lines and bringing 150 new jobs to the region.

Diego Sinhue Rodríguez Vallejo, Governor of Guanajuato, explained that the company will also purchase 39 hectares for future expansion, so that with these new investments, Guanajuato continues to promote a stronger countryside, fostering innovation and technological development.

The planned expansion builds upon Nestlé Purina’s continued investment in Guanajuato. In 2013, the pet food manufacturer invested US$200 million, and in 2020 invested US$160 million in the plant. The facility currently produces about 125 dry and 45 wet pet food formulas.

Nestlé Purina PetCare was formed in 2001 when Swiss-based Nestlé S.A. acquired Ralston Purina Petcare, founded in St. Louis, Missouri, in 1894. The company is engaged in the manufacture and marketing of dog and cat food, snacks and cat litter products.

Nestlé Purina’s investment follows double-digit growth for the company, detailed in its second quarter financial report which reported Purina as Nestlé’s largest growth contributor in the first half of 2022.

The investment follows double-digit growth for the company, detailed in its second quarter financial report which reported Purina as Nestlé’s largest growth contributor in the first half of 2022

Latin American markets also saw an increase in Nestlé’s pet food business, especially after the recovery of offline channels and the “sustained momentum” for retail sales. The organic growth of this market for all the businesses was +13.6%, the highest of all regions.

Purina PetCare performed especially well in Mexico and Chile and sales of the pet business grew at a double-digit rate, fueled by Dog Chow, Cat Chow and Purina Pro Plan.

To meet increasing demand for its high-quality, nutritious pet foods, Nestlé Purina PetCare invested an estimated US$ 450 million to open a new factory in Eden, North Carolina in 2020 and another US$ 550 million to expand its pet food manufacturing facility in Hartwell, Georgia, creating up to 130 jobs.

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