Fort Smith Arkansas: Mars Petcare Expansion Project

[metaslider id=”51167″]

Fort Smith, AR

Beginning May, 2021, Hugg & Hall started work with contractors on the the Mars Petcare Plant expansion in Fort Smith, AR. Mars Petcare Associates began work on the multi-million dollar expansion to their wet food plant located in Chaffee Crossing, adding 200,000-square-feet.

The project, which started in January 2021, is scheduled for completion of its current phase in the beginning of 2023.  With the addition of two production lines, they expect to increase the production capacity by more than 40%.

Hugg & Hall is working directly with contractors pulled in from across the country for this project, renting out well over 150 pieces of equipment to complete the job. Outside Rental Salesman, Kevin Lea, says, “This is easily one of the largest projects Hugg & Hall has had the pleasure to be a part of in many years here in Fort Smith.”

“I expect to see us on site with more major projects in the near future,” says Lea. “With expansions in production facilities in Chaffee Crossing, it’s not hard to see why.”

The 48-acre Fort Smith plant has plenty of room to continue to expand as work begins on “phase 3” in 2023. 

Why expand?

Mars Petcare says that over the past year (due in part to people staying home and getting more pets), the demand for wet pet food has risen nearly 18%. The two expansions at the Fort Smith plant are expected to grow this location’s production capacity by more than 75%.

“At Mars Petcare, everything we do is in service of our purpose: A Better World For Pets,” said Ikdeep Singh, Regional President of Mars Petcare North America. “Pet parents are at the center of everything we do, and at Mars Petcare, we’re committed to answering their evolving needs as a trusted partner for pet parents.” 

“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.”

MARS is Going Green

The Fort Smith facility, which first opened in 2009, was the first sustainable manufacturing facility in Arkansas and the first sustainable pet food manufacturing facility in the world. It is LEED-Gold certified by the United States Green Building Council.

Hugg & Hall worked directly with contractors to ensure they meet this high standard for eco-friendly building. Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) is the nationally-accepted benchmark in the U.S. for designing, constructing and operating green buildings. 

The wet pet food factory achieved gold certification for its efforts such as recycling water, reduction of energy use and protection against light pollution and soil erosion.

For more information about Mars Petcare, visit www.mars.com/made-by-mars/petcare.

Looking to rent Hugg & Hall equipment for your next large project? Visit our rental page! Rental Equipment – Hugg & Hall (hugghall.com)

Partners renting with Hugg & Hall for the “Blue Moon Project”:

[metaslider id=”51212″]

 

Back to News