Nestlé Purina PetCare Company, a Swiss-based leading manufacturer of pet care products, will invest $182 million to expand its manufacturing operation in King William County, Virginia.

The company will add 138,000 square feet to increase capacity and enhance business operations in the U.S. and Canada for its Tidy Cats litter products, including the LightWeight formulas such as Free & Clean Unscented. The project will also include an additional 100,000 square feet of warehouse space leading to more efficient logistics management and expedited delivery of products to pets and pet owners. The factory expansion is expected to be completed by late 2023.

“The investment in Virginia provides an exciting opportunity to strengthen our operations in King William,” said Purina Factory Manager Travis Gumbs. “We are committed to delivering the innovative litter solutions cat owners trust, with a continued focus on safety and sustainability in our operations. We are proud to be part of the King William community and look forward to many more opportunities to make a positive impact for pets and people.”

As an incentive, Virginia Economic Development Partnership (VEDP) worked with King William County to secure the project for Virginia. Governor Ralph Northam approved a $2 million Virginia Investment Performance Grant, a performance-based incentive that encourages continued capital investment by existing Virginia companies.

“Nestlé Purina PetCare has been a vital contributor to King William County’s economy for more than two decades, and this major investment further solidifies its commitment to the community,” said Governor Ralph Northam. “With multiple operations across Virginia, Nestlé is an important partner to our Commonwealth, and we look forward to supporting this global company and household brand in its next chapter of growth.”

In addition to Nestlé Purina’s expanding pet food facility in King William, Nestlé maintains its U.S. headquarters in Arlington, operates a health sciences facility in Alexandria, and manages Nespresso facilities in Arlington and McLean.

Nestlé Purina PetCare’s significant capital investment and growing operation reinforce Virginia’s world-class business assets that attract and retain high-caliber manufacturers,” said Secretary of Commerce and Trade Brian Ball. “We are excited to strengthen our partnership with this world-renowned company and remain confident in Purina’s continued success in King William County.”

Located in Virginia since 1997, Purina is King William County’s largest employer, state officials noted. The expansion in King William, which is part of the company’s network of 21 existing manufacturing facilities across the United States, is part of a broader growth plan for Purina, which has recently announced new factories in other states.