Zoetis celebrates expansion in Charles City

By Bob Steenson, bsteenson@charlescitypress.com

The completion of another major expansion project at Zoetis in Charles City prompted a visit by the international company’s CEO recently, along with an announcement that the expansion will add about 50 new employees over the coming year.

“Zoetis is excited to complete its new Poultry Center of Excellence expansion in Charles City, a community that we have been part of for decades,” said Bill Sehi, site Leader in Charles City.

“This expansion will increase manufacturing capacity of several of our key poultry products, add jobs in the community, and enhance Zoetis’ position as a leader in manufacturing for animal care,” Sehi said.

The local Zoetis manufacturing site celebrated the completion of its latest capital expansion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony attended by Kristin Peck, the company’s chief executive officer.

According to the company, the multi-phase, multi-million-dollar investment will increase manufacturing capacity for the company’s vaccine products, and increase efficiency through simplification and automation.

“The scale of the project reinforces Zoetis’ commitment to Charles City and the surrounding communities,” the company said in a press statement.

Zoetis in Charles City expects to hire approximately 50 additional employees over the next 12 months, including production and warehouse operators, mechanics, quality control technicians, supervisors, managers and others, the company said.

The expansion added 10% additional square footage under one roof to the 600,000-square-foot facility, and includes automated egg receipt and incubation, semi-automated egg processing and expanded vial filling and freeze-drying capacity.

Indirect benefits of the expansion include energy efficiency and ergonomic (repetitive motion) improvements for colleagues.

The Zoetis site in Charles City employs about 420 employees “who deliver on Zoetis’ purpose to nurture the world and humankind by advancing care for animals,” the company said.

Employees in Charles City work on strategic sourcing, supply chain, manufacturing, engineering, quality, and environmental health and safety roles.

The facility manufactures biological vaccines for companion and livestock animals, specifically pigs, poultry, dogs and horses, for more than 100 markets around the world. The facility spans more than 600,000 square feet, sitting on approximately 256 acres.

According to the company, Zoetis is the world’s leading animal health company, having spent nearly 70 years innovating ways to predict, prevent, detect and treat animal illness for those raising and caring for animals, including livestock farmers, veterinarians and pet owners.

A Fortune 500 company, Zoetis generated revenue of $6.7 billion in 2020 with approximately 11,300 employees. For more information, visit www.zoetis.com.

So far in 2021, Zoetis has donated over $20,000 to philanthropic events in Iowa.