Pet food company to build 112,000 square foot facility in Joplin, add 46 jobs

(From Gov. Eric Greitens)

Today, Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens announced that major pet food company Blue Buffalo plans to expand upon its Heartland Pet Food manufacturing campus in Joplin by constructing a 112,000 sq. ft. building to accommodate continued expansion. The company’s new facility and expansion is expected to result in the creation of 46 new jobs for the community of Joplin.

“I spoke with Bill Bishop, Chairman and founder of Blue Buffalo, about their plans to construct a new building and increase the size of its campus in Joplin. They will bring in a new pet food line and create 46 new jobs in the community. It was great to talk to them about Missouri’s new direction and they look forward to working with us to grow the state’s economy and create more quality jobs. Thank you, Blue Buffalo,” said Gov. Greitens.

In 2012, Blue Buffalo broke ground on its 416,000 sq. ft. Heartland Pet Foods facility in Joplin, which became the company’s first manufacturing plant in the country. Blue Buffalo has pledged to create more than 160 full-time jobs at the plant. After just a few years of operating in its facility, the company will now expand Heartland’s footprint to accommodate additional manufacturing equipment for a new pet food line and for its growing workforce. The new building is expected to be completed by the beginning of 2018. Blue Buffalo points to Missouri’s strong workforce, central location and robust transportation system for its decision to expand in the Show-Me State.

“Blue Buffalo’s expansion of our state of the art manufacturing facility in Joplin reflects our ongoing commitment to the people, the city and the state of Missouri. With this expansion we will be further increasing our internal production capacity. We are very proud to continue to create jobs and to being an upstanding partner in the community," noted Bill Bishop, Chairman and founder of Blue Buffalo

The Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Joplin also assisted the company with its expansions in Missouri.

“Blue Buffalo’s Heartland facility is an excellent employer in our community and representative of the many fine firms in our food processing sector. We are proud the company thinks enough of Joplin and its people to continue to invest in expanding its operations here,” noted Rob O’Brian, President, Joplin Area Chamber of Commerce. “We look forward to seeing the continued growth of Blue Buffalo in this area.”