Canadian company finds new home in the Bluegrass State

Award-winning Champion Petfoods is opening a third kitchen — it’s first in the US — in Auburn, Kentucky. Champion, makers of Acana and Orijen dog and cat foods are looking forward to working with local Kentucky farmers and growers to produce foods for their product lines in a newly built, top-of-the line facility.  "Our new custom-fitted kitchens will advance our Biologically Appropriate and Fresh Regional Ingredient foods," says Champion CEO and President Frank Burdzy.  "We're going to install the best technology available to prepare a unique variety of innovative foods reflecting the Kentucky region." 

The new Kentucky kitchen will specialize in products for the growing specialty pet food market in the US, while the Canadian kitchens will continue to focus on Canadian, European and Asian consumers.  The new kitchen is expected to be up and running by 2016.  Champion’s Orijen food has been a Top Dog Award winner for four consecutive years.