EDEN, N.C. — A global leader in pet care will soon be setting up shop in our area!
Nestle Purina manufacturing is opening up a brand new factory in Rockingham county bringing both a new business and new jobs to the Eden area.
This project has been three years in the making. So far, the facility has created over 300 new jobs in Rockingham County, but it is looking to hire more people in the operations and warehouse department.
The $450 million dollar Eden factory is 1.3 million square feet and is one of the largest investments to date by Nestle Purina.
The Eden factory will produce dry cat and dog food, including Purina Pro Plan, Purina One, and Purina Pro Plan Vet Direct (PPVD).
WFMY News 2 got the chance to check out the facility ahead of the grand opening happening Tuesday, March 26, at 11 a.m.
Factory manager Will Steiner explains why the town of Eden was picked for the site to be built.
"We look at Eden. You have the availability of transportation out of both north and south as well as east and west out of this area. Plus, the area itself has a great, very welcoming workforce. They are very trained and very able. We've had fantastic support kind of getting our team built up over here in the last three years, and when we look at the location itself, it was a former Brownfield site. We were able to repurpose this site and make it our new future pet food facility," Will Steiner, Factory Manager at Nestle Purina, said.
Nestle Purina also strongly focuses on being local and using local materials in the facility.
"We have a pretty extensive network that we bring all of raw ingredients in as well as locally. When we start getting into these local communities those farms tend to partner up with the larger partnerships that we have with already. Many of the farms that we have here in fact the ones we used this weekend are within that 200 mile radius of the facility," Steiner said.
Some of the programs they've already partnered with in the community include the Purple Leash Project and the Dan River Basin Association.
ABOUT PURINA
Nestlé Purina PetCare creates richer lives for pets and the people who love them. Founded in 1894, Purina has helped dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives by offering scientifically based nutritional innovations. Purina manufactures some of the world's most trusted and popular pet care products, including Dog Chow, Purina ONE, Pro Plan, Fancy Feast, and Tidy Cats. Our more than 10,000 U.S. associates take pride in our trusted pet food, treat, and litter brands that feed 46 million dogs and 68 million cats every year. More than 500 Purina scientists, veterinarians, and pet care experts ensure our commitment to unsurpassed quality and nutrition.
Purina promotes responsible pet care through our scientific research, our products, and our support for pet-related organizations. Over the past five years, Purina has contributed more than $150 million towards organizations that bring and keep people and pets together, as well as those that help our communities and environment thrive. Purina is part of Nestlé and is a global leader in nutrition, health, and wellness.
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