Adapted from a press release:
Since the beginning of this year, Vobra Special Petfoods has been building a new factory in Veghel, The Netherlands. The warehouse has been completed and the first machines have been installed: the packaging machine, extruder and fresh meat processing machine. As a result, the producer of high-quality dog and cat food can start the test phase. The expectation is that cat and dog kibbles will be produced in this factory in a few months' time.
In 2001, Vobra began construction on their second factory, which included a storage depot.
When the new factory is completed, Vobra Special Petfoods will have a third production line and an extra warehouse. This will increase the production capacity by 50% and enable the organization to meet the strongly growing national and international demand for dog and cat food. In the future, the new factory can be expanded with an additional production line, allowing for 100% growth.
Vobra Special Petfoods, established in 1932, is a manufacturer of super premium and veterinary pet food. Vobra manufactures under its own brands as well as for various private labels around the globe. Products are sold in more than 25 countries across four continents. Vobra offers a wide range of “off-the-shelf” products. Its research and development team assists pet food marketers in developing custom-made recipes and products.
Read more about the impacts COVID-19 has put on the pet food industry
Global shipping, supply disruptions affecting pet food
In late March 2021, Steve King, president and CEO of the American Pet Products Association (APPA), predicted that supply chain disruptions and delays in the pet industry—including of raw materials like some pet food ingredients and aluminum for cans—along with accompanying rising costs, would continue throughout 2021 and into the first quarter of 2022. On August 30, 2021, a record number of container ships—44—were awaiting entry into two of California’s largest ports, breaking the previous pandemic-caused record of 40 ships, set in February 2021. In other words, the situation is getting worse. While the pet food industry has seemed to adapt well to date to the ongoing disruptions and shortages, what are the short- and long-term outlooks that brands, producers and suppliers need to plan for?
