Petfood firm builds wastewater plant

Royal Canin, founded by a veterinary surgeon in a French village in 1967, specializes in brands formulated for the dietary needs of specific breeds of dogs and cats. The products, which also geared toward the age and size of animals, are distributed primarily through veterinarians’ offices, breeders and specialty retailers such as PetSmart and Petco.

The North Sioux City plant is now the sole production site for Royal Canin’s domestically sold wet dog and cat foods. Domestic dry foods are made in Rolla, Mo.

Royal Canin’s parent company, McLean, Va.-based Mars Inc., makes such well-known consumer products as M&Ms candy, Wrigley’s chewing gum, Whiskas cat food and Uncle Ben’s rice. Mars acquired the North Sioux City plant from Menu Foods for $26.3 million in October 2007. Two years ago, Mars officially changed the plant name from Mars Petcare to Royal Canin.