DUNKIRK, N.Y. — Nestlé Purina PetCare has completed an expansion of its cat treat production plant in Dunkirk, adding customized and automated processes for its Fancy Feast Savory Cravings line. Purina invested $19 million in the expansion.

“Expanding our treats production capacity in Dunkirk allows us to continue providing pet owners with breakthrough products and superior quality,” said Nolan Terry, vice president of manufacturing at Purina. “This latest innovation continues our legacy of delivering high-quality products pet lovers have come to trust for more than 90 years.”

Purina modeled its Fancy Feast Savory Cravings cat treat bars after one of its confectionary concept that allows the treat to be broken into smaller bites. The treats are currently available in beef, salmon, and beef and crab formulas and are sold across the United States. Packaging for Savory Cravings is 100% recyclable.

This is one of many pet food and treat production expansions recently tackled by the manufacturer in the United States. The list includes a $167 million expansion at its Mechanicsburg, Pa. plant, a brand-new $450 million facility in Eden, N.C., another new pet food and treat production plant in Williamsburg Township, Ohio, and a $550 million expansion of its wet pet food manufacturing site in Hartwell, Ga.

These investments total $2 billion and will create more than 900 jobs by 2025, according to the company.

“Purina is proud to continue investing in western New York, providing critical jobs for the region and keeping our employees safe during a challenging year, all while supporting our local community and providing innovative new products from the trusted brands Americans depend on,” said Anthony De La O, factory manager at Purina’s Dunkirk facility.

Purina currently employs more than 500 people in the Dunkirk area, recently adding 104 more jobs with the new facility expansion. To further support the community as COVID-19 impacts linger, Purina donated nearly $920,000 in dollar and pet food donations.

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