CANADA – Simmons Pet Food, a prominent US-based pet food manufacturer, has declared its decision to shut down a canning facility located in Streetsville, Ontario, Canada, by the end of the year, a move anticipated to affect close to 190 employees.
According to Simmons Pet Food, this strategic move aims to consolidate production and distribution operations to enhance customer service.
The company, headquartered in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, specializes in private-label and contract manufacturing, supplying pet food products to various brands and retailers in formats such as cans, pouches, and cups.
Scott Salmon, the president of Simmons Pet Food, expressed the company’s commitment to strengthening its business through strategic investments in expanding capacity and capabilities in Emporia, Kansas, and Dubuque, Iowa, over the past three years.
He emphasized that the closure of the Streetsville location aligns with the company’s broader strategic plan to reinforce its position as a leading industry partner.
While acknowledging the significance of the Streetsville facility in the company’s history, Salmon expressed gratitude towards the dedication and hard work of the team members. He assured full support to the affected employees throughout the transition process.
Simmons Pet Food is a part of the Simmons Foods Group, which operates 13 facilities in the US and one in Canada, located in Toronto.
The decision to close the Streetsville plant comes amidst a series of strategic maneuvers to optimize the company’s operations and enhance its competitive edge in the pet food market.
Crump Group invests in the USA
In contrast, last month saw Canada-based pet food producer, The Crump Group, announcing a significant expansion of its US manufacturing facility to meet escalating demand, reflecting the dynamic landscape of the pet food industry.
This move, involving a US$85 million investment, aims to bolster production capacity and further solidify the company’s position in the industry.
Following the acquisition of the facility in 2021, which already involved a substantial investment exceeding US$40 million, the company is injecting an additional US$85 million to expand production capabilities.
According to the pet food producer, this facility in Nashville was the company’s initial step towards establishing manufacturing operations in the USA. It played a key role in lowering transportation expenses for imported US sweet potatoes, a crucial ingredient in their pet treats.
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