KC Attracts New Mars Petcare R&D Facility

Mars Petcare US, one of the nation’s leading providers of petcare products, will develop a new R&D facility at its existing Kansas City operation.

Mars will create up to 157 new positions within the next year for the metro. The company will invest up to $18 million with the new operation.

Sourced at the 2008 Animal Health Homecoming Event, the Kansas City region competed with several other U.S. locations for the R&D facility.

The strength of the current Kansas City location’s workforce and the availability of employees specialized in the animal health field in the KC Animal Health Corridor contributed to the company’s final decision.

About Mars Petcare US, Mars Incorporated’s Petcare Division

Mars Petcare US is the U.S. pet care operations of Mars, Incorporated, one of the world’s leading food manufacturers. Headquartered in Franklin, Tenn., Mars Petcare US employs more than 3,000 associates in the United States, with 22 facilities nationwide and owns some of the world’s favorite pet care brands, including PEDIGREE® Brand Food for Dogs, CESAR® Canine Cuisine, WHISKAS® Brand Food for Cats, SHEBA® Brand Food for Cats and THE GOODLIFE RECIPE® Brand

About the KC Animal Health Corridor

The Kansas City area accounts for 34 percent of the $16.8 billion global animal health industry. The Corridor, anchored by Manhattan, Kansas and Columbia, Missouri, is home to more than 120 animal health companies, which represents the largest concentration in the world.