Kemin Industries, recently opened its newly expanded 5,000-square-meter production facility in Vargeão, Brazil. The USD$6 million (R$25 million) expansion increases the facility’s raw material capacity by 900 percent and finished goods storage by 1,500 percent, allowing Kemin, a global ingredient manufacturer that strives to sustainably transform the quality of life every day for 80 percent of the world with its products and services, to serve more customers in South America and around the globe.
Brazil is one of the top pet food markets in the world. According to Euromonitor, the country’s pet food growth is thought to be driven by more Brazilians moving to urban areas and having children later in life, choosing small dogs and cats as companions, thus increasing the pet population.1
The investment in Vargeão generates 50 Kemin jobs and boosts the local economy by way of construction jobs, raw-material sourcing and taxes. Most of the facility’s production will support customers in Brazil and other South American countries.
The facility is currently certified to serve countries in South America and Europe and is in the process of approval in the United States. It is GMP-certified for food safety and quality and uses a LEAN manufacturing program for process and product quality improvement. Kemin is finalizing food safety certification FSSC 22000.
