Iowa Factory Has Produced Nearly 200 Food Formulas for Dogs

After more than a half-century, a company with a rich history has renewed its commitment to an eastern Iowa city with the completion of a $156 million expansion.

This week, Purina announced they're hiring an additional 96 people at the factory in Clinton, one that will now employ 570 people. Purina employs approximately another 800 Iowans at facilities in Fort Dodge and Davenport.

According to a Purina media release provided to PR Newswire, the Clinton plant is a "hub for innovative new products. The pet food production expansion includes new cooking and packaging lines that will be used to make a variety of pet food brands, including Purina ONE, Purina Pro Plan and Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diets."

Purina, the nation's second-best-selling pet food manufacturer behind Mars, began as Robinson-Danforth in 1894. According to the Purina website, it was the first company in the world to offer balanced food for animals.

In 1902, Robinson-Danforth became Ralston Purina. In the 1920s, the company created Purina Dog Chow, the first dry dog food in the world. Cat Chow and Puppy Chow would arrive in the 1960s. In 2001, Nestle purchased Ralston Purina, merging the two businesses into Nestle Purina.

Throughout the changes of the last 50+ years, workers in Clinton have produced over 190 products for dogs. Today, only the Clinton factory makes Purina Pro Plan Veterinary Diet dry pet foods.

After starting to make dog food in Clinton in 1969, Purina workers continue to produce quality products that make for happy dogs...

that come running for dinner, no matter the age. Iowa, and what is known today as Nestle Purina, have built a beautiful partnership that will hopefully last for decades to come.