The jump in the adoption of cats since the start of the health crisis has very concrete consequences for the pet food industry. Behind the leader Nestlé (One, Purina), the American group Mars (Whyskas, Perfect Fit, Cesar) “is struggling to meet strong demand”, recognizes Romain Dumas, CEO of Mars in France.
The manufacturer took advantage of the visit of Minister Franck Riester, in charge of Attractiveness and Foreign Trade, to unveil on Monday an investment plan of 85 million euros for its factory in Saint-Denis-de-L ‘Hotel (Loiret). The site employs 165 people, not including temporary workers. It is here that meat, vegetables and cereals are processed to make fresh sachets and boxes of pâtés, which will then be exported throughout Europe. The croquettes are produced in Germany.
To increase capacity by 70%, two new production lines for freshness sachets will be created by 2025 near Orléans. “We plan to recruit 70 additional employees,” says Romain Dumas.
Why the Orleans factory, rather than another? “For its central geographical position in France and Europe. And it is the design office of this factory which innovated in 1993 with a new “simple and practical” packaging of the freshness sachet, which is meeting with success today”, recalls Romain Dumas.
Another argument: the American shareholders of this multinational managed by the same family have validated this program in France “because they recognize the high level of qualification of the teams, the consistency in the quality produced, and the dynamism of the French market”, summarizes Romain Dumas, who received a Choose France prize from the minister.