NOURISH DELIGHT Simmons Pet Food's growth trajectory aims to expand its presence in the North American wet pet food space. By Kimberlie Clyma | kclyma@sosland.com T The United States is a pet-centric country. In 2021, 70% of US households (84.9 million households) owned some sort of pet, according to the American Pet Products Association (APPA). Of those pet-owning households, 54% owned a dog and 35% owned a cat - which amounts to Americans owning 186 million dogs and cats. In order to feed this growing number of fourlegged companions, the APPA's State of the Industry report showed US pet parents spent $50 billion on pet food and treats in 2021. All of this translates into a booming industry for pet food and treat manufacturers that shows no signs of slowing down. Leading the way in wet pet food production is Simmons Pet Food - the largest private-label and contract manufacturer of wet pet food in North America. and 16 PET FOOD PROCESSING | March 2023 | www.petfoodprocessing.nethttp://www.petfoodprocessing.net