SILOAM SPRINGS, AR – Simmons Pet Food announced plans to establish a wet canned pet food operation in Dubuque, IA.
Simmons Pet Food is an affiliate of Simmons Foods. David Jackson, chief operating officer of Simmons Foods, said, “This location will meet the needs for the two phases of expansion we have planned for our canned pet food operation in 2021 and beyond. Equipment installation will begin very quickly, with the first phase of production scheduled to begin by July 1, 2021.”
At full capacity, the new operation will bring over 270 new jobs to the community, according to a press release from Simmons. The workforce will include hourly and salaried positions in management, production, safety, quality, packaging, human resources, continuous improvement and more. Simmons specializes in private label and contract manufacturing of pet food
The operation will be located in a 250,000-square-foot facility in the Dubuque Industrial Center. The building was formerly occupied by Flexsteel. The company plans to invest approximately $80 million in the project over the next three years.
The expansion builds on a $100 million investment and growth plan that included the new Emporia Flex Plant in 2019 and a new high-speed can line at the Emporia Main Plant, which achieved full operation in October of this year.
Advertisement
Scott Salmon, president of Simmons Pet Food, said, “We are pleased to establish operations in the community of Dubuque and bring new jobs to the area with industry-leading pay and benefits. The region has a quality workforce and is an ideal location to service our customers across the U.S. and Canada.”
