GLORIA HOERATH checks over a Kibbles 'n Bits bag at the Del Monte Foods plant.

Del Monte Foods is making the most of a big investment.

The company spent more than $5 million on new equipment for the Lawrence plant.

“It was put in over the past five months to improve capabilities,” said Rob Marshall, plant manager. “I think we have a bright future and our product had great name recognition.”

The local plant has produced tons and tons of Kibbles ‘n Bits since 1981. The dog food is one of the market’s best sellers, giving dog owners the opportunity to feed man’s best friend a food that combines crunchy and chewy bits.

It’s good nutrition and it’s something pet owners want, said Marshall.

And the numbers show it.

The plant’s 134 employees work to produce annually about 420 million pounds of Kibbles ‘n Bits. That means an average of 8.4 million pounds a week and 1.7 million pounds a day.

“It can be hard to appreciate how much that is,” Marshall said.

A dog’s life

The Kibbles ‘n Bits brand includes seven different products that each feature a different flavor. The Lawrence plant is the only place in the world that produces the well-known dog food.

Marshall said Quaker Oats opened the Lawrence plant in 1978. Employees working at the then-140,00-square-foot facility never made oatmeal. They started off making a defunct brand of dog food called Tender Chunks.

“And the plant was designated just to do that,” Marshall said.

But Quaker had other plans in mind for the Lawrence plant. It decided in 1981 to have the local plant make Kibbles ‘n Bits.

ROBERT WALLS works a product line at Del Monte Foods. The company recently spent more than million on new equipment at the Lawrence plant.

The owner of the plant has changed hands since Quaker Oats owned it. It became a Heinz plant in 1995 and Del Monte acquired the facility in 2002.

Owners may have changed.

But Marshall said several things have not – including a few words that can be found on any bag of Kibbles ‘n Bits.

“It still has on the bag ‘Made with pride in Lawrence, Kansas,'” said Marshall.

Economic impact

Success at the Lawrence plant starts with the people working there, Marshall said.

“We’ve got a good brand, corporate support and great people,” he said.

The local plant boasts a payroll of more than $5.5 million. Marshall said he thinks the company is seen as an employer of choice. He added that with Del Monte, the production of Kibbles ‘n Bits is viewed as a core business for the company.

The continuing production of the dog food also translates into benefits for the economy. Kibbles ‘n Bits continues to mainly be a grain-based product.

Marshall said the plant will purchase about $8 million worth of products needed to produce the dog food annually.

Giving back

The local Del Monte plant has invested in the community since it was owned by Quaker Oats.

Employees continually give time and money to the United Way and Junior Achievement. The plant also was one of the first companies to participate as a Lawrence Education Achievement Partner with Lawrence Public Schools.

“We recently recognized Del Monte Foods with our Shining Star Award because of the companies work with Pinckney School,” said Sarah Klingele, director of the Lawrence Education Achievement Partners program. “They are an incredible partner. They’ve been a driving force of our program and continue to be a valuable company.”

Del Monte employees do everything from having lunch with students at Pinckney to tutoring children. The company and employees are always willing to help, Klingele said.