WILLIAMSBURG TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WKRC) – Nearly six years after local leaders announced a new pet food plant in Clermont County, Purina’s more than $550 million facility outside Batavia is beginning operations, with distribution already underway and manufacturing expected within months.
Pallets of cat and dog food started moving through automated systems about six weeks ago as the company ramps up operations. Plant manager Mike Ferritto said the facility will eventually produce enough dry pet food to feed 8 million animals annually.
“This facility is really designed to be flexible and efficient. So, it enables us to adjust to demand and adjust to consumers’ needs in a very efficient manner. It’s one of the benefits you get when you build a facility from the ground up,” Ferritto said.
The plant is the first Purina has built from scratch in more than 50 years. The site includes 11 buildings spanning 1.3 million square feet…