Come early 2024, Simmons Pet Food will have its latest expansion finished in Emporia.
Simmons is adding a fourth high-speed canning line, which will produce up to 60,000 pounds of wet pet food per hour — by itself.
Regional Development Association of East Central Kansas President Chuck Scott says Monday’s announcement demonstrates the ongoing partnership between the city and the company. It also reflects changes in how large businesses are dealing with supply chain issues the past two years.
Scott credited Simmons leadership for its helpfulness as the project continued behind the scenes.
Simmons Media Relations Director Julie Maus says Emporia “has been a great place to grow our business.” She also tells KVOE News the expansion comes with the pet food market seeing notable shifts.
Scott says Simmons has given tentative approval to a proposed incentive compliance agreement. Details will not be released before the package goes in front of the Emporia City Commission at a later date.
The Emporia expansion dovetails with a new distribution facility to be built in Edgerton and a second canned food line in Dubuque, Iowa. It also builds on local production since 1998, starting with one production line and around 250 employees. The current operation includes the canned pet food plant and a flex plant producing pouches, cups and tubs. Total employment in Emporia is above 1,500.
The additions in Emporia, Egerton and Iowa are part of a $500 million expansion as Simmons ends its dry pet food and pet treat production.
