en.Wedoany.com Reported - Nestlé Purina's new pet food factory, built with an investment of $550 million (approximately RMB 3.73 billion), will hold its grand opening in August 2026 in Batavia, Ohio, USA, at which point the facility will be fully operational. This is Purina's first new greenfield project since 1975.
Covering 1.3 million square feet across ten floors, the factory is Purina's 24th plant in the United States and is internally defined as "the most advanced pet food production facility in the U.S." The project was announced for investment and construction in October 2020, initially planned at 1.2 million square feet before being expanded to 1.3 million square feet. Originally scheduled to begin production in 2023, it was delayed due to contractor issues and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. From project initiation to full production, the timeline spans nearly six years, during which equipment installation, commissioning, and testing were completed. Once operational, the factory will produce cat and dog food under core brands such as Purina Pro Plan, Purina ONE, and Dog Chow. It currently employs over 340 people, with plans to expand to more than 500 after full production begins.
The factory extensively incorporates digital and automation technologies, aiming to streamline processes from production to logistics. It features a "Manufacturing Experience Center" designed to showcase technical trades and digital practices in pet food production to local government officials, community partners, and invited guests. Equipment installation, commissioning, and testing are ongoing.
In an interview with the media, Plant Manager Mike Ferritto stated that after full production, the factory's dry pet food output will be sufficient to feed 8 million pets. In terms of environmental sustainability, the factory has set goals for zero waste emissions, recyclable and reusable heat and water, and achieving 100% renewable electricity in the shortest possible time, aligning with Nestlé Group's overall target of zero environmental impact in its operations by 2030.
The factory was sited in Ohio due to its mature food manufacturing ecosystem, which hosts over 300 food and flavoring companies. Ohio Governor Mike DeWine stated that the factory will create 300 jobs. Purina President Nina Leigh Krueger noted that growing consumer demand for high-quality pet food has made existing production capacity insufficient. In 2020, Purina announced the construction of two new factories in the U.S.: this one in Ohio and another in Eden, North Carolina, converted from a former brewery. Currently, Nestlé employs a total of 3,300 people in Ohio.
According to Nestlé's 2025 financial report, the Group's total annual sales reached CHF 89.49 billion, with an organic growth rate of 3.5%. Among this, the pet care business segment generated sales of CHF 18.406 billion, accounting for 20.6% of the Group's total revenue, making it the Group's second-largest business segment. This segment achieved a trading operating profit of CHF 4 billion, with a trading operating profit margin of 21.7%, higher than the Group's average of 16.1%. Nina Leigh Krueger stated that the Batavia factory will play a crucial role in strengthening the supply chain and ensuring that Purina products reach households nationwide.
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