Pet food manufacturers flock to Pennsylvania. The Lehigh Valley saw two pet food manufacturing investments and a new food safety firm this year. Aug. 31, 2026 Pet food companies are booming in the Lehigh Valley in Pennsylvania. The pattern follows growth in the American pet industry, which surged to $165 billion in 2026, according to the American Pet Products Association. "The Lehigh Valley offers pet food manufacturers a powerful combination of a skilled workforce, a location close to major consumer markets and a deep manufacturing heritage that continues to evolve through innovation," said Kristin Cahayla-Hoffman, vice president of business development and attraction at Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation, in an email to Plant Services. Freshpet is nearing completion of a 216,000-square-foot dedicated cold storage facility in Bethlehem, Pa., scheduled to open by the end of 2026. The company will use the facility to distribute its refrigerated pet food products. J.G. Petrucci Company and BGO Cold Chain led the project in a joint venture, with construction by Iron Hill Construction Management. The expansion adds to Freshpet's existing Lehigh Valley operations. Meanwhile, dog food delivery service Spot & Tango is investing more than $20 million to expand its manufacturing facility in Allentown, Pa. Production capacity will double, according to the Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation. The expansion is expected to create about 50 jobs, a 50% increase in Spot & Tango's Allentown workforce. In related news, FlexXray relocated its Northeast hub from New Jersey to a 26,000-square-foot facility in Upper Macungie Township, Pa., where it expects to employ about 40 people at capacity. The food safety company uses X-ray and CT technology to identify and remove contaminants from food products, allowing manufacturers to salvage unaffected portions of production batches. FlexXray said the Lehigh Valley's concentration of food and beverage manufacturers and its location within a day's drive of about one-third of the U.S. population were major factors in the relocation. This piece was created with the help of generative AI tools and edited by our content team for clarity and accuracy. Plant Services Smart Minute is a content based enewsletter where readers will find exclusive content, relevant industry news, useful case studies, access to Plant Services on-demand webcasts, and information on upcoming professional events and training opportunities. (Daily) Subscribe Today!

Freshpet expansion helps grow Lehigh Valley food manufacturing sector. The facility, which will allow the company to store its refrigerated pet food products will help make Freshpet's distribution more efficient. The 216,000-square-foot building is located in Lehigh Valley Industrial Park VII. Freshpet first came to the Lehigh Valley in 2013 with the opening of the Freshpet Kitchen production facility in Hanover Township, Northampton County. It has since expanded operations there several times, the LVEDC noted. The company makes fresh, minimally processed meals and treats for dogs and cats with no fillers or preservatives. "This new distribution center is an important step forward as we continue to grow alongside the families who count on us," said Nicki Baty, Freshpet's COO. "Located just minutes from our Bethlehem Kitchen, it gives us greater control over our operations and the scalability we need to keep pace with our growth, while positioning us to support Freshpet for years to come." Don Cunningham, president and CEO of the LVEDC noted that the Lehigh Valley is among the Top 15% of manufacturing markets in the U.S., with more than 700 manufacturers producing a collective output of $9 billion. Food and beverage manufacturing is one of the high-value sectors targeted for growth in Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation (LVEDC)'s Strategic Plan. "Freshpet's impressive growth continues right along with the renaissance of the Lehigh Valley," said Don Cunningham, President & CEO of LVEDC. He noted that about 35% of pet food manufacturing jobs in Pennsylvania are located in the Lehigh Valley, and the region has 13 times the number of jobs as the national average. In addition to Freshpet, companies that operate in the Lehigh Valley include Spot & Tango and Nestle Purina. In addition to the Freshpet expansion, Spot & Tango recently announced a $20 million expansion to its production center in Upper Macungie Township that will double production capacity within a year or two.