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Mars Petcare announces Fort Smith facility
Manufacturing plant will provide 200 local jobs
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Mars Petcare US announced its plans to build an $80 million manufacturing facility in Fort Smith during a ground breaking ceremony held November 13.
The 250,000 square foot facility will employ up to 200 associates and produce the company's popluar line of Cesar® Canine Cuisine products for small dogs.
"Fort Smith is a great community for our new facility, offering the perfect business combinations of a talented work force, location and favorable logistics," Doug Cahill, president of Mars Petcare U.S., said. "Our Cesar® brand of Canine gourmet Cuisine has been growing rapidly and in order to meet market demand, we have decided to build this new manufacturing plant, increasing our capacity in the U.S."
Mars Petcare broke ground today at the plant site and plans to begin production by April 2009. The manufacturing facility will be state-of- the-art and when fully operational will double Cesar® production.
"This announcement brings new industry and opportunity to Arkansas while helping redevelop Fort Chaffee," Arkansas Governor Mike Beebe said. "We're glad Mars Petcare found a good fit in Fort Smith and look forward to working with the company as it continues to expand."
The Fort Smith facility will be located at Chaffee Crossing and will provide an estimated $7.07 million to existing payroll in the Greater Fort Smith Region. The average annual salary per worker at the plant will be around $35,000.
"We are excited about our future in Fort Smith and look forward to becoming an active member of the community and a contributor to the Fort Smith economy," Cahill said.
About Mars Petcare US
Mars Petcare U.S. is the U.S. pet care operations of Mars, Incorporated, one of the world's leading food manufacturers. Headquartered in Franklin, TN, Mars Petcare U.S. employs more than 3,000 associates in the United States, with 29 facilities nationwide and owns some of the world's favorite pet care brands, including PEDIGREE® Brand Food for Dogs, CESAR® Canine Cuisine, WHISKAS® Brand Food for Cats, SHEBA® Brand Food for Cats and The GOODLIFE Recipe™ Brand. In addition, Mars, Incorporated owns the portfolio of brands produced by ROYAL CANIN USA Inc., NUTRO Products, Inc. and GREENIES®.
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