French producer Natura Plus Ultra Pet Food, a direct-to-consumer business, is planning to increase its production capabilities amid rising sales, according to a senior company representative.
Matthieu Wincker, president and founder of Natura Plus Ultra Pet Food, told Petfoodindustry.com the business continues to increase the sales of its brand, Ultra Premium Direct, every year.
This year, the company will launch a project to add 750 square meters (8,073 square feet) to its office space, but also expand the floorspace of its factory in Estillac, in the country’s southwest, said Wincker.
“On the plant side, a fourth expansion project will begin in 2024, bringing the total surface area to 13,000 square meters,” he said. “Our current production lines enable us to absorb a volume that could generate sales of €150 million a year." This translates into about US$163.5 million.
In addition, Natura Plus Ultra Pet Food is aiming to build a new extrusion plant in 2026. Other plans include boosting the company’s online sales, said Wincker.
“We are continuing to develop our e-commerce business,” he said, adding the company is also investing in strengthening its brick-and-mortar retail presence.
“We are concentrating on our physical retail store development in France and our online growth,” said Wincker, adding the company has eight shops in France with a goal to launch 10 to 20 shops per year.
Polish pet food producer to launch new factory
Polish pet food maker Petmex Company has obtained a permission to open a new factory in Polanka, in the country’s southern region of Małopolska, where the business already operates other production facilities.
The new plant will be located in the Kraków Technology Park (KTP) where the company has been active since 2019.
“For the fourth time, Petmex will take advantage of the opportunities offered by the Polish Investment Zone program and will build a new factory where it will produce wet food for dogs and cats,” the KTP said in a statement.
As part of the forthcoming project, the business will invest more than PLN 28 million (US$7 million) to build the designed plant and create 10 new jobs. Petmex will also use a portion of the funds to upgrade its existing production facilities and warehouses and purchase new machinery. Petmex now has a workforce of about 130 employees.
In addition to Poland, “the company also operates in European markets. One of the important directions of development on which the company is currently focusing are North American markets,” according to the statement.
Established in 2014, the business is owned by local businessmen Krzysztof Napora and Damian Napora. Krzysztof Napora is also the president of the manufacturer’s management board.
Australian pet food subscription service invests in new facility
Sydney-based fresh pet food subscription service Lyka has expanded its presence in Victoria, creating more than 100 local jobs in the country’s southeastern state.
Earlier this year, the manufacturer allocated AUD$16 million (US$10.5 million) to open a new pet food plant and national distribution center in Melbourne’s Dandenong South suburb, the Victoria State Government said in a statement.
“The new facility includes new production lines and advanced, automated equipment that is the first of its kind in Australia, enhancing efficiency and nutrient retention,” said the statement. “The facility includes a national distribution center that will enable up to four times the current distribution of the product, improving delivery times, reducing food miles and increasing the company’s ability to supply the pet food across Australia.”
