Mars Petcare announces second expansion in Fort Smith plant, adding more jobs

Fort Smith's year of growth continues as Mars Petcare announced an additional $117 million investment in its manufacturing facility Wednesday.

The company will add 142 jobs to the facility on top of the 120 jobs from the $145 million investment announced in January. 

The Fort Smith Board of Directors approved an Industrial Revenue Bond request for the project at their Tuesday night meeting. The industrial revenue development bonds allow a 15-year, 50% payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) incentive.

Although not named during the meeting, Mars Petcare announced the expansion Wednesday morning.

The announcement comes after increased needs for pet food throughout the pandemic, according to a release from Ikdeep Singh, Regional President of Mars Pet Nutrition North America.

With almost one in five households welcoming new pets during the pandemic, the demand for wet food has increased, resulting in sales being up almost 18% compared to last year, the release states.

"The role of pets in our lives has grown even stronger during the pandemic, and our latest investment in Fort Smith enables us to deepen our commitment to our Associates and the City of Fort Smith," Singh said.

The investment will expand the facility's manufacturing operations by adding two production lines, supporting construction of a new warehouse and updating existing equipment.

The company has invested nearly $540 million in its Fort Smith facility, according to the release.

The Fort Smith plant is located on 48-acres in Chaffee Crossing, the site of much of 2021's new growth. The 200,000-square-foot expansion that was started in January is scheduled for completion in 2022.  

The Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority has seen over $5 million in property sales in 2021, said Daniel Mann, executive director and CEO of the Fort Chaffee Redevelopment Authority.

"We are having a record year as far as property sales at Chaffee Crossing," Mann said.

The redevelopment authority is also looking at about $300 million in projected capital investment into Chaffee Crossing during 2021, Mann said.

“This is a pretty phenomenal 2021,” Director at Large Neal Martin said. “It just adds to 2021. A company that is willing to invest in our area is pretty awesome. The train is rolling and we’re excited to see people getting on it.” 

Production at the Mars Petcare site in Fort Smith began in 2009. As of January, the company employed about 300.

Abbi Ross is the city reporter at the Southwest Times Record. She can be reached at aross@swtimes or on Twitter at @__AbbiRoss