Simmons Feed Ingredients, a division of Simmons Foods Inc & Affiliates, held a groundbreaking ceremony today, Dec. 15, for its new 89,125-square-foot pet food ingredient facility in Siloam Springs.
The company plans to invest approximately $26 million in the facility, where it will produce fresh and frozen meat ingredients for pet food manufacturers. The project will generate an estimated 78 new jobs.
“The pet food industry requires ingredient integrity, traceability and safety,” said Simmons Foods CEO Todd Simmons. “We’re really proud of the work our team has done in setting a new standard for how ingredients are produced. We’re excited to see this innovative facility here in Arkansas.”
Todd Simmons was born and raised in Siloam Springs and took the helm as CEO in 2012.
Simmons Foods, a producer of poultry, pet food and ingredient products, is one of the state’s largest private companies and employs more than 1,200 people in its Siloam Springs operations. The company combines proprietary processes and its extensive experience in food production to develop innovative, top-quality ingredients for pet food manufacturers.
“Arkansas is fortunate to have a company like Simmons Foods here in our state,” said Gov. Asa Hutchinson. “Simmons has an emphasis on strong family values and an exemplary workforce that have driven the company to today’s significant expansion announcement. Their business model is an inspiration for entrepreneurs throughout the state.”
The facility is expected to be completed by November 2016 and will have an estimated $50 million economic impact on the state.
Simmons Foods was founded in 1949. In 1990s, the company began to concentrate on business-to-business customers. Some customer relationships go back almost 50 years.
“The Simmons history goes back many decades in Siloam Springs,” said Siloam Springs City Administrator Phillip Patterson. “Simmons is a great corporate partner here, and having them build this facility here is a huge acknowledgement that they want to be here and reinvest in the community.”