City officials joined executives from Tuffy's Pet Foods, CRB, Pinky Swear Foundation and Founding Fathers Pet Treats to celebrate the groundbreaking of Tuffy's new pet treat facility on Aug. 7 in Delano, Minn.
The 173,500 sq. ft. facility is slated to open in November 2020. It will feature two extrusion lines producing 9,000 lb. of semi-moist pet treats each hour and six packaging lines producing standup resealable pouches, according to an announcement.
The plant will initially employ 50 people, with 150 jobs expected when it reaches capacity. The facility will be constructed by Kansas City, Mo.-based CRB, a global consulting, design and construction services firm. It will be designed and built to achieve Green Globe Certification for sustainability.
Delano Mayor Dale Graunke kicked off the ceremony by discussing the impact the facility will have on the community. “Delano is open for business, and our beautiful city couldn't be more excited to have such a highly respected family-owned company add jobs and vitality to Delano.”
“Tuffy's is committed to producing great products for four-legged family members,” said Charlie Nelson, president of KLN Family Brands, parent company of Tuffy's Pet Foods. “We are equally committed to being a great corporate citizen and an important part of the Delano business community.”
The ultramodern facility will emphasize pet food safety, efficiency and flexibility. The facility is designed meet and exceed the stringent requirements of today's pet food market using sustainable operations that reduce the plant's environmental footprint and waste, according to the announcement.
Tuffy's Pet Foods is providing financial support that will allow the University of Minnesota Masonic Children's Hospital to add its first ever full-time therapy dog to provide comfort and affection to kids being treated at the hospital. Tuffy's and KLN Family Brands also supports Pinky Swear Foundation, which provides financial and emotional assistance to kids with cancer and their families.
Based in Perham, Minn., Tuffy's has been producing dry dog and cat food kibble for more than 50 years. It currently produces kibble under its own national brands NutriSource, Pure Vita and Natural Planet, as well as numerous co-manufactured products. Tuffy's is family owned and operated and has been since it was founded in 1964.
Tuffy's Pet Foods Inc. manufactures dry and moist dog and cat food and treats. The company was founded in 1947 by Darrell “Tuffy” Nelson. In 2015, the company expanded with a new $70 million, 130,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility. Today, the company is spending $60 million on a grinding, mixing, storing and receiving facility that will also house a fourth extruder line. Tuffy's Pet Foods operates as a subsidiary of KLN Enterprises Inc.
KLN Family Brands is a third-generation, family-owned company located in Perham and is comprised of Tuffy's Pet Food and Kenny's Candy & Confections.
