(PRESS RELEASE) Pet-Ag Inc., maker of the world’s leading milk replacer brands Esbilac for puppies and KMR for kittens, announced the planned fully operational opening of its new production and distribution facility in Hampshire, IL, for April 1, 2020. The 157,000-square-foot building will replace and consolidate two of Pet-Ag’s nearby existing production, research and administrative locations, as well as a distribution center in Kansas City, MO. The facility will initially house approximately 60 employees.
“We’ve seen significant growth since we acquired Pet-Ag in November 2013,” said Rick Blomquist, vice president and general manager of Pet-Ag. “And we recognized several years ago the need to evolve our business, de-risk and add capacity to our supply chain infrastructure.”
Looking to create not just a new building, but a “workplace of tomorrow,” Pet-Ag designed an advanced facility that is configured to maximize efficiencies across all operations, create positive environmental impact, provide improved customer service, accommodate future growth and deliver an exceptional employee experience. “Pet-Ag is part of a 100 percent employee-owned business, and our new building is an investment in our business and our employees’ future,” said Blomquist.
Consolidating operations into one building will result in significant efficiencies in production and distribution, Blomquist said. “But more importantly, it will advance Pet-Ag’s focus on customer service and ensure that we provide our customers with the freshest and highest-quality products.”
To enhance the quality and availability of its liquid milk replacers, Pet-Ag purchased an existing consumer milk product processing facility in Arkansas in 2019 and has invested in significant upgrades for the facility to accommodate the specific blending and filling capacity requirements for the business. In addition to producing the company’s leading products KMR and Esbilac, the facility will provide Pet-Ag with additional new liquid product research and development capabilities, as well as capacity for new-product production.
“With our new facilities in Illinois and Arkansas we are well positioned for continued growth, enhanced customer service and employee growth as we continue our upward path as animal health and nutrition leaders,” said Blomquist.