Kormotech, a leading Ukrainian manufacturer of cat and dog food, will expand its production in Kėdainiai, Lithuania, investing more than EUR60 million in four production stages to be commissioned in 2025-2028, the company’s press service told Interfax-Ukraine.
“Lithuania is now our window to the world. Our plant in Kėdainiai has become a reliable support for us – it always operates at 100% capacity, while in Ukraine we have to take into account the risks of shutdowns due to the war. We aim to further expand our capacity in Lithuania by building four additional production lines by 2028,” said Rostyslav Vovk, CEO and co-owner of Kormotech.
Kormotech launched its first foreign plant in Kėdainiai, Lithuania, in 2020. Currently, more than 170 specialists from Ukraine and Lithuania work at the wet feed production facility with a capacity of more than 20 thousand tons per year.
“Our successful experience of building and operating in Lithuania, favorable conditions in the free economic zone, support from Invest Lithuania and our well-established network of partners and suppliers led us to the decision to expand the enterprise,” emphasized Vovk.
Kormotech plans to launch the first new production line by 2025, adding a line each year until the four production lines are fully operational in 2028. As the expansion project progresses, the company will be interested in finding qualified engineers, technologists, and other highly specialized professionals in both Ukraine and Lithuania. With the new expansion project, Kormotech will double its current workforce in Lithuania, adding 200 new jobs in five years.
According to Elius Civilis, Director General of Invest Lithuania, the Lithuanian state agency, Kormotech’s expansion shows that Lithuania is open to foreign investors and creates truly favorable conditions for them.
“In Kėdainiai, Kormotech has built a modern, highly automated plant employing local specialists of various competencies. The company’s decision to expand its facilities and double the team size demonstrates the quality of both the local business infrastructure and talent,” emphasized Chivilis.
In Ukraine, Kormotech is constantly expanding its production capacity. During 2022-2023, the company invested about $14 million to modernize dry feed production and expand wet feed production by almost 70%.
“We plan to build new production facilities in Ukraine immediately after the war ends,” said Vovk.
Kormotech is a global family-owned company with Ukrainian roots that has been producing high-quality cat and dog food under the Optimeal, CLUB 4 PAWS, Woof, Meow! The company has production facilities in Ukraine and the EU. The product range includes more than 650 items.
The company is among the TOP-60 global pet food manufacturers and TOP-20 most dynamic pet food brands. Kormotech sells products of its own brands and those of its partners in 40 countries.
Currently, the company employs about 1300 people in five countries – Ukraine, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, and the United States.
Invest Lithuania is a non-profit agency under the Ministry of Economy of the Republic of Lithuania. Its mission is to attract foreign investment. It serves as a point of contact for foreign companies and accompanies international business at every stage of the process of starting a business in Lithuania, providing information on recruitment, tax benefits and financing options.
KORMOTECH, LITHUANIA, PRODUCTION
