BLOOMFIELD — Purina Bloomfield held a ribbon-cutting ceremony Tuesday to officially open Nestle Purina Technical University.
NPTU is a state-of-the-art training facility that will serve as a hub for training and career advancement across Purina’s network, according to company officials. The facility represents a significant investment in workforce and economic development for Stoddard County, and positions Bloomfield as a center of learning and innovation, they said.
Jeff Goodmanson, Purina Bloomfield factory manager, said, “This project is a continuation of Purina’s unwavering commitment to Bloomfield and our region. The NPTU isn’t just a training facility, but a capability hub that empowers our associates by ensuring they have the tools to innovate, lead, and build meaningful careers.”
The facility integrates hands-on equipment training and virtual reality enhanced learning modules to develop technical, operational, safety and leadership skills. NPTU will serve hundreds of new hires, up-skilling operators, maintenance technicians and future leaders, according to Purina.
“The NPTU is a crucial part of our mission to create richer lives. Not just for the pets we serve, but for the people and communities where we operate,” said Amy Kerr, Purina’s vice president of manufacturing. “This facility embodies Purina Bloomfield’s legacy of operational excellence and our vision for the future of pet care manufacturing.”
Since 2013, Purina has invested more than $400 million in the production facility, officials said. In 2021, the company completed a $250 million expansion to increase production for Tidy Cats, the number one cat litter brand in the U.S.
The Bloomfield factory is currently an employer of more than 400 local associates.
Bloomfield Purina’s robotic dog was the guest of honor. He received the final tug in the ribbon-tugging ceremony.