WellPet announced plans to nearly double its size in terms of both people and space at the petfood maker's plant by the end of 2012.

The company will begin construction on a 67,946-square-foot facility in its current Mishawaka, Indiana, USA, location, which will serve as a warehouse/distribution center, according to Steve Griswold, director of plant operations. The addition will be located east of the existing WellPet building and will double production capacity to 80,000 tons of dry petfood a year, according to WellPet.

The company also said it plans to add a total of 45 new employees by the time the project is completed in 2012. The cost of the entire project was estimated at $20 million, WellPet said.

"It absolutely is exciting," Griswold said. "We are excited to be able to contribute to the economy in Mishawaka."