PET Food Processing - October 2019 - 42

PROCESSOR PROFILES

C.J. Foods

FAST FACTS
Founded: 1985
Headquarters:
Bern, Kansas
Manufacturing:
5 facilities: 2 in Bern,
Kansas; 2 in Pawnee
City, Nebraska and 1 in
Baxter Springs, Kansas
Brands: Co-manufactures
for approximately 35
premium kibble brands
Website:
www.cjfoodsinc.com

C.J. Foods was initially a human food manufacturer until the company received a request to produce
100% organic-certified bird feed in 1992. By agreeing - and succeeding - C.J. Foods opened the door
that would help it grow into a leading manufacturer
of extruded super- and ultra-premium dry pet foods.
Although the company hasn't always been involved in the pet food space, it has certainly carved a
niche for itself in the industry since. C.J. Foods was
the first pet food producer in the US to gain China
certification and the first co-packer in the US with
the capability to introduce inclusions, such as freezedried meats and dehydrated fruits and vegetables,
into finished kibble. Additionally, in 1996, C.J.
Foods was the first pet food processor to completely
automate an extrusion line from beginning to end.
C.J. Foods continues to innovate its processes and
develop its business to offer top-notch, value-added

extruded pet diets. This co-manufacturer has been
on the front end of recent super-premium pet food
trends, including high-meat, grain-free and limitedingredient diets.
In March of 2018, C.J. Foods acquired Lortscher
Agri-Service and integrated it as the C.J. Foods
Ingredient Division with the goal of having more
control over its supply chain. Additionally, the company has a private label brands division, which provides services such as product launches, positioning,
production, in-store education and marketing support for its clients.
Whether a brand experiences processing challenges, difficulties with new ingredients or need a
leg up to deliver on the latest trend, C.J. Foods' willingness to say "yes" has kept its capabilities and the
products it produces on the cutting edge of the premium pet food market.

,
TUFFY'S
a KLN Family Brand

FAST FACTS
Founded: 1964
Headquarters:
Perham, Minnesota
Manufacturing:
600,000-sq.-ft.
processing facility
Brands: NutriSource,
PureVita, Natural
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Gold, Supreme and comanufactured brands
Website:
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Tuffy's Pet Foods, Inc. is a third generation familyowned and operated company. With deep roots
and a sprawling manufacturing campus in Perham,
Minnesota, Tuffy's is seeing continued growth and
success after 55 years in business. Tuffy's represents
the pet food arm of KLN Family Brands producing
more than 200,000 tons of dry pet food annually.
The company's six brands of complete-and-balanced
pet diets and treats include dry food, wet food,
baked foods, jerky and freeze-dried treats.
Tuffy's started in the mid-1960s in a single
facility with 13 employees. Today, the pet food
manufacturer employs 290 people. They produce NutriSource, PureVita and Natural Planet
diets sold exclusively in the pet specialty retail
space, as well as Supreme, Tuffy's and the Tuffy's
Gold brands. Tuffy's also co-manufacturers dry
pet foods and semi-moist treats for some other

PET FOOD PROCESSING | 2019 | www.petfoodprocessing.net

well-known national brands. The company estimates that 60% of their production is for companyowned brands and 40% is for co-manufacturing
partners. Tuffy's processing facilities today cover
600,000 sq. ft. All dry pet food processing and
packaging areas have been constructed since
2010 at a cost of approximately $150 million and
purpose built from the ground up to provide the
safest environment for food safety and efficiency.
In August 2019, Tuffy's broke ground at a brand
new 173,500-sq.-ft. pet treat plant in Delano,
Minnesota. The facility will initially feature two
extrusion lines and six packaging lines, with room
for expansion. The new facility will produce approximately 9,000 lbs. of semi-moist treats per hour
once it is up and running. This expansion is a sign of
Tuffy's continued success in a competitive pet food
and treat market.

http://www.cjfoodsinc.com http://www.tuffyspetfoods.com/ http://www.petfoodprocessing.net

PET Food Processing - October 2019

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