Austria Pet Food doubles production capacity in Pöttelsdorf

Austria Pet Food has doubled its production capacity at its plant in Pöttelsdorf after investing more than 40 million euros in an expansion, ORF reported. The project also created 50 jobs.

Work took place over the past three years while the factory remained in operation. The expansion added a filling and packaging line and new storage space. The company can now produce 200 million cans of pet food a year, up from 100 million, and has an annual capacity of 90,000 tonnes.

Austria Pet Food makes dog and cat food in private-label packaging for different customers and does not have its own brand, managing director Bernd Berghofer said. The company invested more than 40 million euros over the past two years and now employs about 150 people in Pöttelsdorf.

The state of Burgenland is the company’s largest shareholder, holding a 40 per cent stake through ATHENA Burgenland Beteiligungen AG. Burgenland economic councillor Leonhard Schneemann said the expansion sent a signal that the region’s economy was thriving.

Berghofer said market conditions had become more difficult in recent years. Pet ownership in Europe was still growing, but at a slower rate, while sourcing raw materials remained challenging. He said the company was confident because of its strong customer base.