Mars Petcare announced the decision to close its Le Sueur, Minnesota, and Allentown, Pennsylvania, facilities in the USA by the end of 2009 in addition to the closing of the Portland, Indiana, plant .

The company cited reduced customer demand as the reason for the closures.

"The decision to close the Portland, Le Sueur and Allentown facilities was a difficult one and made only after careful review and analysis," said Debra Fair, director of corporate affairs.