Mars Expands
By Dave Dreeszen Journal business editor
©Copyright Sioux City Journal
NORTH SIOUX CITY -- Does your dog satisfy his or her appetite with Pedigree Choice Cuts or Nutro Ultra Chunks and Gravy?
Each wet dog food brand will be produced closer to home, as part of Mars Inc.'s plan to expand its newly-acquired pet food plant in North Sioux City.
Site work is expected to begin later this month on a 30,000-square-foot addition to the 103,000-square-foot plant, which employs about 150 people. The added manufacturing space will allow the company to add the two new lines of dog food, as well as improve overall plant operations, Bertille Glass, corporate communications manager for Mars North America, said Thursday.
"This expansion is not necessarily going to add more jobs," Glass said. "It's about the retention of jobs and creating a more efficient line."
Mars, best known as the maker of popular candies like M&Ms, Mars and Snickers, acquired the North Sioux City pet food plant earlier this year from Menu Foods for $26.3 million.
The sale came after Mars severed its private-label manufacturing agreement with Ontario-based Menu Foods, which has struggled to recover financially from a massive recall of tainted pet food earlier this year. The North Sioux City plant at 630 N. Derby Lane was not the source of Menu Foods' tainted "cut and gravy" dog and cat food, which was blamed for death and illnesses to hundreds of North America dogs and cats.
Mars' lesser-known pet food division sells brands that include Pedigree Nutro Ultra dog feed and Whiskas cat food. The division operates some 30 pet food plants in North America.
After the sale closed, Mars retained the existing workforce in North Sioux City. The privately-held company does not give out information on its hourly wages, Glass said.
Kory Menken, executive director of North Sioux City Economic Development Corp., said city leaders were excited to hear Mars is already pursing an expansion.
"We are confident South Dakota's low taxes and business friendly atmosphere will complement Mars, Inc.'s commitment to shared success and mutual benefit," Menken said.
The city Planning and Zoning committee has given the go-ahead for the addition, which will be built just east of the existing plant. The expansion is scheduled for completion by late 2008.
The pet food plant, originally known as Heartland Quality Foods, was opened in 1991 by a group of local investors, becoming one of the first industries in the Gateway Business Park. Menu Foods purchased the plant from Procter & Gamble in 2003, which had inherited the plant during its 1999 acquisition of Iams pet food.
Mars Inc.
Founded: 1911
Global business: $18 billion food and drink conglomerate selling products in more than 500 countries
Top brands: M&Ms, Snickers and Mars candy bars. Whiskas and Pedigree pet food. Uncle Ben's rice
