United Premium Foods Invests $1.8 Million in Premium Pet Food Industry Solutions

United Premium Foods (UPF) has committed to investing over $1.8 million in premium systems and machinery to support customer growth in 2023. For UPF, the food manufacturing business has two main aspects: utilizing the highest quality standards to produce superior foods, and applying the brand’s proven expertise and collaboration to deliver innovative and scalable solutions to its partners. 

“We’re dedicated to helping companies in the premium human and pet food spaces succeed,” said Ken Mayer, chief executive officer of UPF. “When we allocate spending towards solutions, we’re not just buying exceptional equipment – we’re investing in the people behind the brands looking to help support their businesses and thrive in competitive markets. These systems will expand available services and capabilities to help our customers prosper.” 

The pet care industry is rapidly growing, and new companies require the highest quality solutions to stand out from their competitors. According to a 2020 report by Euromonitor International, the industry is valued at over $168 billion worldwide with an average annual spend of $340 per pet in North America. Wet pet food represents $11.51 billion of the total $50.18 billion pet food market in the United States (Nielsen 2023). This is a 17.2 percent year-over-year increase that supports recent forecasts indicating an upward trend through 2028.

The quality of pet food has also evolved in recent years due to the further humanization of pets. Ninety-four percent of pet parents consider their companions to be members of their family, research from Kerry found. Additionally, 89 percent of pet parents regard their pets’ health as important as their own. This is why UPF is committed to providing premium pet food production and cold storage to ensure safe and fresh food.

UPF is investing in various machinery and systems to assure top-quality manufacturing in response to the rapid growth of the premium pet food businesses. The $1.8 million in investments include:

These capital projects will enable UPF to expand its current production capabilities to offer new and dynamic processing options for its customers. UPF can manufacture and package a variety of human and pet food formats, from frozen patties to human-grade dog food. 

“We are committed to investing to meet the increasing demands of both our human and pet customers, while simultaneously improving the lives of our UPF family, who are what make us successful,” Mayer said.