NutriSource Opens New Minnesota Cannery to Meet Demand for Wet Food
NutriSource has launched a new wet food cannery inside the Tuffy’s Treats Company manufacturing facility in Delano, MN. The $20 million, 45,000 sq. ft. expansion will create 45 full-time jobs and expand the company’s manufacturing capabilities of high-quality pet food products that already include kibble and treats.
The Green Globe Certified facility features cutting edge X-ray and can inspection equipment, a 3-retort system for sterilization and the ability to produce up to 300 13-oz, 5.5-oz and 3-oz steel or aluminum cans per minute. Annual production capacity is expected to top 65 million cans.
“Wet pet food manufacturing capacity in North America has struggled to keep up with the growing market demand for canned pet food,” said Mike Hamilton, Director of Commercialization at NutriSource Pet Foods. “Our investment in this new operation is a direct response to requests from distributors, retailers and customers who are seeking a more consistent and diverse supply of canned dog and cat foods. We are committed to our customers and excited to work with them to deliver more NutriSource products to our furry friends everywhere.”
The Tuffy’s Treats Company opened in 2020. According to the company, the 174,000 sq. ft. facility features the safest environment for pet food safety, efficiency and flexibility. The plant meets or exceeds the stringent requirements of today’s pet food market using sustainable operations that reduce the plant’s environmental footprint and waste.
Like all NutriSource products, the new wet food will be available at independent pet stores where the focus is on health and nutrition.