Royal Canin's Lewisburg Facility Showcases Advanced Pet Nutrition Production

The 450,000-square-foot facility is the largest dry pet food factory in Royal Canin's global network. In its first year of operations, the plant exceeded initial production goals, reduced waste, and is continually increasing its production capacity.

As part of Mars Incorporated, which owns Royal Canin, this site marks the company’s largest investment in a manufacturing location for the brand. By the end of 2026, Mars will have invested $8 billion in U.S. manufacturing since 2019. The Lewisburg facility utilizes technology at every stage of production to enhance safety and quality control. For example, artificial intelligence assists employees in troubleshooting production line issues, and digital systems enable real-time monitoring of products.

A notable feature of the facility is its dedicated production line for Royal Canin's dermatology portfolio, designed to prevent cross-contamination of proteins, which is critical for pets with dietary sensitivities. Dean O’Connor, the site director, emphasized the importance of traceability, stating that products can be tracked from arrival to shipping, offering pet owners confidence in their food choices.

The facility maintains a strong safety culture, which is reflected in its safety record with no lost-time injuries reported since its construction. Royal Canin’s variety of formulas includes options based on breed, life stage, and therapeutic needs, all produced at this site.

The Lewisburg facility aims to produce enough dry pet food to feed four million pets annually. Across Ohio, Mars produces enough nutrition to support over 43 million pets each year. O’Connor highlighted that the success of the facility stems from its people-first culture, fostering teamwork and camaraderie among approximately 150 Associates, with plans for further workforce expansion.

Community engagement is a priority for Royal Canin; in its first year, the facility received the Business of the Year award from the Lewisburg and Preble County Chamber of Commerce. Associates contributed over 300 volunteer hours to local initiatives and supported local services and schools. In an effort to foster community ties, the facility hosts Food Truck Wednesdays to support local vendors while creating a social environment for employees.

As Royal Canin enters the second year of operations in Lewisburg, the facility is poised to set new benchmarks for operational excellence within the Mars Petcare network, aiming to redefine industry standards for pet nutrition manufacturing.