NOVOSIBIRSK, SIBERIA — Mars Petcare Russia has invested 1.7 billion rubles (approximately $23.1 million USD) to expand its wet pet food manufacturing capacity in Novosibirsk. The company has installed and begun running a third production line at the facility, located in southern Russia, which has created 43 new jobs in the area.

The company estimates roughly 20% of pets living in Siberia and Far East Russia are consuming complete-and-balanced pet food products today. In more densely populated areas, such as Moscow and Saint Petersburg, this number jumps to 50% of pets, making the case for Mars Petcare’s expansion in Russia.

“We view Russia as a very promising market, particularly in Siberia and the Far East,” said Valery Schapov, general manager of Mars Petcare Russia. “This is why we are building reserve capacity to satisfy the growing demand for our products.”

Mars Petcare Russia first established its Novosibirsk facility in 1998, and has since invested more than 3 billion rubles ($40.8 million USD) in the site. Brands manufactured at the facility include Whiskas, Kitekat, Pedigree and Chappy dry and wet pet foods.

“Mars expanded to Novosibirsk Region almost 20 years ago and has been increasing both the production capacity and tax payments to the regional budget ever since,” said Sergey Syomka, deputy governor of the Novosibirsk region. “Last year, its tax contributions exceeded 300 million rubles. Today’s launch of the new line means that our region offers optimal environment for further development of the factory. The region’s government will continue taking systematic efforts to make the investment climate and government support even better.”

In support of the local economy, Syomka noted Mars Petcare Russia sources more than half of the raw materials used in its wet pet food formulations, including livestock and crop products, from local producers, as well as sourcing warehousing, maintenance and construction locally.

Products manufactured at the Novosibirsk plant are distributed to stores across Siberia, the Urals, the Far East and Kazakhstan.

The factory successfully transitioned to 100% waste recycling in 2015, and Mars Petcare stated it will work to continuously enhance the facility’s “green technologies,” reducing gas, power and water usage in its operations.

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