Simmons Pet Food Inc., a supplier of custom and private label pet food solutions in the U.S. and Canada, broke ground on a facility expansion at its Flexible Packaging Facility in Emporia, KS.
The $38 million investment will increase operations by 200,000 square feet and create about 100 new jobs in the Emporia area, according to a press release. The company expects to begin operations in 2019.
Simmons Pet Food currently employs 500 people at its Emporia location.
“The expansion of our operations in Emporia represents a story about the strength of good people doing great work, strong performance and dependable partnerships,” said Jason Beyer, vice president of operations, Simmons Pet Food in Emporia. “Emporia is the place we call home and we are proud to be part of helping this community grow through job creation.”
The Emporia Flexible Packaging Facility expansion will increase Simmons Pet Food’s capacity for flexible production and packaging for select wet pet food products, according to the release.
“With demand for cup, tub, and pouch packaging formats projected to exceed the existing capabilities, this expansion will add substantial capacity to ensure Simmons Pet Food meets customer demand,” the release stated.
The expansion will increase yearly facility output to an estimated 12.4 million cases of wet pet food cups and 2.4 million cases of tubs when it reaches full capacity in 2022.
The company is also building a Care Clinic at the location to serve local team members. It is scheduled to open in Winter of 2018.
“The Simmons Care Clinic network offers comprehensive family care to covered team members and their dependents at no cost including preventative services, acute and general health care and treatment of chronic conditions,” according to the release.