A Dubuque Pet Food Facility Is Expanding Its Operation

Remember when pet owners were struggling to find pet food at their local grocery store? This has been happening for a variety of reasons. We have shortages of the packing materials, which is what the cat food brand Friskies dealt with earlier this year, or the typical supply and demand complications.

A new expansion of an Iowa pet food facility will help grow the distribution of their food.

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According to a press release, Simmons Pet Food is working on a $500 million growth plan and it recently announced its plans to expand its Dubuque canning plant. This immediate expansion was announced in July and is expected to be up and running in August.

Back in July 2021, Simmons opened its Dubuque facility, which was part of a $100 million investment made by the company.  The expansion will add a second pet food production line to the facility- which is something that Biz Times reports were part of the original growth plan.

This new line will welcome 30 new employees to their workforce, and add 17 million cases, or 240 million units, to the Dubuque plant’s annual production.

The $500 million growth plan follows the company’s decision to change up its product line. Earlier this year, the company completely moved away from its dry pet food and pet treats to shift its focus solely on wet pet food.

Simmons is also expanding its Kansas operations. They announced there will be a fourth high-speed canning line added to their Emporia, Kansas facility and a new facility in Edgerton, Kansas.