ENNIS, Texas (March 15, 2023) — Stellar has broken ground on a significant expansion to Freshpet’s manufacturing facility in Ennis, Texas.
A fully integrated firm focused on design, engineering, construction and mechanical services, Stellar will construct a 200,000-square-foot addition to the Freshpet Kitchen, where the refrigerated pet food company will increase its production capacity to meet ongoing demand in the fresh category.
The design-build expansion is expected to complete Phase 2 of the project by mid-2024. The existing 400,000-square-foot building (Phase 1) was completed in the fall of 2022 by another builder.
Stellar is providing building design and construction services, as well as partial design and installation of the processing equipment, which includes two additional production lines. Crews will also expand the ammonia refrigeration system. The expanded facility will feature processing, packaging, dry storage, refrigerated storage, and welfare areas. There are provisions in the design for an additional expansion to this Phase later.
This is Stellar’s first project with the leader in the fresh category in pet food manufacturing. With this expansion, Freshpet expects to exceed $1 billion in total revenue by 2025. This is the company’s third (and now largest) Freshpet Kitchen.
About Freshpet
Freshpet’s mission is to improve the lives of dogs and cats through the power of fresh, real food. Freshpet recipes are blends of fresh meats, vegetables and fruits farmed locally and made at their wind-powered Kitchens. Thoughtfully prepared, all food is made using natural ingredients, cooking in small batches at lower temperatures to preserve the natural goodness of the ingredients. Freshpet foods and treats are kept refrigerated from the moment they are made until they arrive at Freshpet fridges in your local market.
Freshpet is available in select mass, grocery (including online), natural food, club, and pet specialty retailers across the United States, Canada and Europe. From the care taken to source ingredients and make each recipe, to the moment it reaches your home, Freshpet’s integrity, transparency and social responsibility are the way they like to run their business.
About Stellar
Stellar is a fully integrated design, engineering, construction, refrigeration and mechanical services firm serving commercial, industrial and public sector markets across the United States. More than 750 Stellar employees create award-winning food processing plants, refrigerated warehouses, distribution centers, commercial buildings and military facilities. In addition to its Jacksonville, Florida, headquarters, Stellar offers service and support locations throughout the United States. For more information, visit www.stellar.net.
