BATAVIA, Ohio — Nestlé Purina celebrated the official grand opening of its new pet food manufacturing plant in Batavia on Monday, marking the company’s first factory built entirely from the ground up in more than 50 years.
Company leaders, elected officials and Purina associates gathered for the ceremony, capping years of planning and construction on the $550 million facility, according to Clermont County.
The 1.3 million-square-foot plant is already producing Purina Pro Plan, Purina ONE and Dog Chow, and currently employs more than 430 workers, with plans to grow to more than 500 team members once fully operational, the company said. Located about 30 miles east of Cincinnati, the factory is Purina’s 24th in the United States and is expected to help feed roughly 8 million pets a year.
“Today marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Purina in Ohio,” Nina Leigh Krueger, Purina’s president and CEO, said in a statement. “The Batavia factory reflects our long-term commitment to American manufacturing, innovation and the communities where we operate. By investing in state-of-the-art infrastructure and partnering with a skilled workforce and supportive community, we have built a facility that will help us serve pets and their owners for generations to come.”
Gov. Mike DeWine attended the event and said the project brings hundreds of jobs to the region.
“Today is a great day for Clermont County as Nestlé Purina officially opens its new pet food factory in Ohio, bringing hundreds of new jobs to the region,” DeWine said in a statement. “Ohio is truly the heart of opportunity, and this investment will have long-lasting impacts on the local economy and the people who live here.”
Bonnie Batchler, president of the Clermont County Board of Commissioners, called the investment a milestone for the county.
“Purina’s investment is a tremendous milestone for Clermont County and a testament to the strength of our workforce, our business community and our shared commitment to growth,” Batchler said in a statement. “This facility has already created hundreds of jobs and new opportunities for our residents, and Purina’s ongoing investment in local organizations demonstrates the company’s commitment to being a valued community partner.”
The 10-plus-story facility includes an automated storage and retrieval system, digital manufacturing technology, robotics and a Manufacturing Experience Center meant to help visitors, students and community leaders understand modern manufacturing, according to the county. Mike Ferritto, the Batavia factory manager, said the plant combines advanced technology with an experienced workforce.
“What makes Batavia special is the combination of cutting-edge technology and an exceptional team,” Ferritto said in a statement. “This facility represents the very best of Purina’s manufacturing expertise, and our associates are bringing that vision to life every day.”
Purina chose Batavia for the region’s manufacturing heritage, workforce and location within the Cincinnati area’s food manufacturing base, according to the county. The plant joins Purina’s Zanesville factory, which has operated in Ohio since 1973, and the company said it continues to hire engineers, operators and technical specialists as Batavia operations expand.
During the celebration, Purina announced two $30,000 grants through the Purina Foundation to local organizations. The League for Animal Welfare received funding to create new housing for shelter dogs, and Impacting Tomorrow was awarded a grant to support its Companion Care Project, which provides pet supplies and veterinary assistance to families facing financial hardship. Purina has also previously supported Williamsburg Township Emergency Services, the Union Township Police Department and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center, according to the county.
The information contained in this story was obtained from Clermont County.