MEXICO CITY — Mars Petcare announced it would invest $100 million over the next three years to expand its wet pet food facility in Querétaro, Mexico, on Feb. 23. The expansion is part of the company’s innovation plan and is expected to double its current capacity.
Mars Petcare’s investment will increase its Mexico production to 70,000 tons annually, or about 55 million pouches of wet food monthly for its Pedigree®, Whiskas®, Cesar® and Sheba® brands. The expanded 7,000-square-foot facility will be finished and fully operational by 2023 and will also create 600 temporary and 100 permanent job opportunities.
“At Mars Petcare we work every day to serve more pets, our priority is to satisfy the dogs and cats nutritional needs, offering a broad product portfolio and innovations that help them live longer, happier, and healthier lives,” said Francisco Fernandez, Mexico general director, Mars Petcare. “The expansion of our wet pet food plant will allow us to continue growing and offering consumers a completely different and special experience, when giving a pouch. Millions of pet parents trust us, and with this project we will be ready to continue making a better world for pets.”
The expansion of the facility will follow Mars’ sustainability goals by:
- Using energy via state-of-the-art pouch-filling technology from America
- Consuming 100% renewable energy from a wind farm in Dzilam Bravo, Yucatan
- Holding a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) certification
- Using construction materials that reject solar radiation to minimize environmental impact
- Taking advantage of natural light to save about 50% on light consumption
According to Mars Petcare, the expansion is necessary because the pet food category is expected to grow at a double-digit rate in 2022 to meet the rise in worldwide pet ownership.
The company held a ceremony on Feb. 23 at the location of the facility in El Marques, Querétaro, which was attended by Mauricio Kuri Gonzalez, governor of the State of Querétaro, Tracey Massey, global president of Mars Pet Nutrition, and several other local government officials.
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