On November 4, Simmons Pet Food announced the closure of its pet food production facility in Pennsauken, New Jersey, USA by late next year. The company plans to transition wet pet food production capacity to optimize its operations, since the cost of upgrading the New Jersey facility was considered too high. In 2020, Simmons will transition the shuttered factory’s canned pet food production to a high-speed line at its Emporia, Kansas, USA facility, which opened in June.
"Simmons is committed to achieving world-class customer service and exceptional product quality,” said David Jackson, chief operating officer of Simmons Foods, said in a press release. "This production shift is a necessary step in advancing our pet food operations strategy.”
Simmons will provide career fairs and other support, including providing separation pay and other benefits. For those at the Pennsauken facility willing to relocate, Simmons will offer positions at its other locations.
Simmons’ pet food facility in Emporia, Kansas
Simmons Pet Food opened a US$60 million pet food facility in Emporia, Kansas, on June 6 with a ribbon cutting. The facility was designed specifically for flexible packaging to meet consumer demand for pouches, tubs and similar pet food packages. By 2022, Simmons forecasts that the expansion will increase annual facility output to an estimated 9 million cases of wet pet food cups and 2.4 million cases of tubs.
The factory created approximately 100 new jobs, with the potential for up to 200 new jobs when the facility expansion reaches full capacity. Prior to the expansion, Simmons Pet Food employed approximately 500 people in Emporia.
Simmons in Petfood Industry Top Pet Food Companies Current Data
According to Petfood Industry’s Top Pet Food Companies Current Data, Simmons Pet Food had an annual revenue of US$260,000,000 in 2018. The company is a North American private-label and contract manufacturer, producing wet and dry pet food and treats. The company produces both premium and value-focused offerings, supplying top brands and retailers with various formats, including cans, pouches and cups. Simmons is headquartered in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, USA. Wet pet food is manufactured platform in Emporia, Kansas, USA and Streetsville, Ontario, Canada. Treats are produced in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, and dry pet food is made in Decatur, Arkansas. Simmons Pet Food is owned by Simmons Foods, which has 5,800 employees and US$1.4 billion in annual revenue.
