Wolf Administration: Nestlé Purina Pet Care Company Expands in Mechanicsburg, Creates 94 jobs
Harrisburg, PA – Today, Governor Tom Wolf announced that Nestlé Purina, the leading pet care company in the United States, will expand its operations in Cumberland County, hiring 94 employees and adding new processing and packaging lines to its Hampden Township location.
“Purina has had a significant presence in Central Pennsylvania for more than 20 years; making high-quality pet food known worldwide, creating jobs, and giving back to the local economy,” said Gov. Wolf. “We are proud to see this company grow here in the commonwealth and look forward to our continued partnership in the decades to come.”
Purina, which currently employs 320 people in Mechanicsburg, also has pet food operations in Allentown and employs nearly 800 people in Pennsylvania.
“Pet owners have trusted Purina for more than 90 years, and demand for our pet food is strong and continues to grow,” said John Bear, Vice President of Manufacturing, Purina. “Purina is proud to make high-quality foods for dogs and cats at our Mechanicsburg factory with a continued commitment to safety and environmental sustainability. This expansion reflects an investment in our local operations, and we look forward to continuing to deliver innovative and highly nutritious foods for pets.”
Purina has committed to investing more than $167 million into the project and creating 94 new jobs within the next three years. The company received a proposal from the Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED) for $282,000 in Job Creation Tax Credits (JCTC) and $188,000 in funding for workforce development training. The project was coordinated by the Governor’s Action Team, an experienced group of economic development professionals who report directly to the governor and work with businesses that are considering locating or expanding in Pennsylvania.
Purina is the largest dry dog and cat food maker in the United States. The Mechanicsburg factory produces many of the company’s flagship brands, including Purina ONE, Purina Pro Plan, Fancy Feast, Dog Chow, and Cat Chow.
“For nearly 25 years, Purina has provided premium jobs for residents of Mechanicsburg and surrounding communities,” said Mike O’Brien, Purina Mechanicsburg Factory Manager. “We’re proud to be making great foods that pets love while expanding the operations and providing even more jobs for the region.”
“Purina has had a long history in Cumberland County as a valued employer, and CAEDC is proud to partner with them on this project as they continue to provide vital jobs to our local community through this expansion," said, Laura Potthoff, Director of Business and Workforce Development at the Cumberland Area Economic Development Corporation.
Nestlé Purina PetCare promotes responsible pet care, community involvement and the positive bond between people and their pets. A premiere global manufacturer of pet products, Nestlé Purina PetCare is part of Swiss-based Nestlé S.A., a global leader in nutrition, health and wellness. For more information about jobs at Purina’s Mechanicsburg location, visit purinajobs.com/joinMCB.
For more information about the Governor’s Action Team or DCED, visit dced.pa.gov, and be sure to stay up-to-date with all of our agency news on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.
MEDIA CONTACTS: Lyndsay Kensinger, Governor’s Office, RA-GVGOVPRESS@pa.gov
Casey Smith, DCED, casesmith@pa.gov / Michael Zerman, Purina, Michael.zerman@purina.nestle.com