Nestlé Purina PetCare Company has invested more than $320 million in its new factory in Hartwell, Georgia. The development is the company’s largest investment in a pet care facility for ten years in the US, Canada and Latin America.

The factory will produce Purina products such as Fancy Feast, which is the top brand in the burgeoning US wet cat food market. “Purina’s Hartwell team is critical to helping us deliver quality nutrition so pets can live longer, healthier lives with their owners,” said Joseph Sivewright, Purina’s chief executive.

“We’re very excited to be a part of the Hartwell community, and we’re proud of the great teamwork by everyone involved to build a world-class facility that will operate in a sustainable way,” he added.

On the sustainability front, Purina’s Hartwell factory is using water conservation and treatment methods and aims to be powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity in the near future. According to the company, the plant currently sends zero waste for disposal to traditional landfills, instead utilising composting, recycling and energy recovery.

Meanwhile, Nestlé’s investment will lead to greater employment in the area. Approximately 200 employees currently work at the facility and that number is expected to grow to 240 as new lines and other expansions at the site are completed over the next few years. Purina also operates a manufacturing facility in Fairburn, Georgia, which employs 350 people.