Alberta-based Champion Petfoods LP, maker of Acana and Orijen brands, is building a new, custom-fitted pet food facility in Parkland County, Alberta, Canada. Champion’s new NorthStar Kitchens will be purpose-built by Gray Construction Canada Company.

Impact on local employment

Champion plans to break ground in late June on the facility. The plants are scheduled to begin preparing Acana and Orijen pet foods in the spring of 2019. Champion anticipates that the pet food facility will create approximately 200 new jobs.

“The facility is a significant investment that will create hundreds of jobs in our local area,” said Parkland County Mayor Rod Shaigec in a press release.

More than 95 percent of the project workforce will be staffed locally from Alberta. Situated on 75 acres of farmland, the NorthStar Kitchens will continue serving Champion’s Canadian and export markets consisting of over 80 countries.

Pet food new product development kitchens

Gray Construction Canada Company will build 400,000 square feet of kitchens that will prepare both kibble and freeze-dry foods and treats. This development will also include a full on-site distribution warehouse and logistics center.

“We are once again thrilled to welcome Gray as our trusted partner as they truly are experts in delivering custom-fitted state-of-the art kitchens that will advance our Biologically Appropriate, fresh, regional Ingredients and never outsourced mandate,” said Frank Burdzy, president and CEO of Champion Petfoods in a press release. “Additionally, these new kitchens will expand our cooking capacity which will allow us to build more trusted partnerships in the place we have called home for over 30 years.”

On January 4, 2016, Champion opened its DogStar Kitchens in Auburn, Kentucky, in which Gray was also the company’s engineering, architecture and construction partner.