Pet food manufacturer Kormotech has held a groundbreaking ceremony for its second factory in Lithuania, Kėdainiai, investing €60 million into the project. Upon completion, Kormotech will produce 61% of its total output in wet pet food in Kėdainiai, according to the announcement.
Kormotech Group of Companies, one of Ukraine’s largest pet food manufacturers and one of the world’s top 50 producers in the industry, has commenced construction of its second factory in Lithuania. The company has announced it is investing €60 million in this project, further strengthening its presence in the European market. The official groundbreaking ceremony took place in Kėdainiai.
The company currently operates three factories: two in Ukraine and one in Lithuania, opened in 2020. The new 19,500-square-metre production, warehousing, and administrative facility will triple production capacity in Lithuania – from 22,000 to 60,000 tonnes per year. Upon completion, Kormotech explained it will produce 61% of its total output in wet pet food in Kėdainiai.
“Today we have started a strategically important stage that will allow us to continue our expansion in Europe and the world. The new factory will triple our production capacity in Lithuania, thus significantly boosting our goal of becoming one of the top 30 players in the global pet food market. We see Lithuania as a reliable partner that allows us to unlock and grow our potential in global markets, so we are pleased to have chosen this country and to be able to increase our operations here significantly,” Rostyslav Vovk, Chairman of the Board and Co-Owner of the Kormotech Group of Companies, stated at the event held to mark the groundbreaking for the factory.
According to Vovk, the decision to locate in Lithuania was driven by logistical convenience. The central location of the Kėdainiai Free Economic Zone facilitates the transportation of goods by road and sea. In addition, all of the necessary infrastructure for the company was already in place, enabling a rapid and inexpensive start to construction.
“The extremely smooth process of building the first factory and the favorable conditions and support from the Lithuanian government through Invest Lithuania and the regional authorities led us to continue our expansion here without hesitation. As one of the largest investors in the country, we are pleased to be able to contribute to the country’s economy with our successful operations,” continued Rostyslav Vovk.
“We are honored to be part of the international expansion of the EBRD’s long-standing partner Kormotech, one more proof of the strength and resilience of Ukrainian business despite the war. We look forward to seeing this new plant contribute to the Lithuanian economy while further strengthening Kormotech’s position as one of the leading global pet food market players,” pointed out Andreea Moraru, Regional Director, Head of Poland and the Baltic States.
“We are an innovative, fast-growing, and dynamic company that applies the highest global standards, and we strive to create rapid career progression opportunities for talented individuals. We are also a family business that pays great attention to values: we have a respectful attitude towards our employees and their values, and we nurture their expertise and experience. The company culture encourages open and trust-based communication between employees and managers, which promotes personal responsibility and a sense of belonging to the team,” expressed Andrii Bereziuk, director of UAB Kormotech, which operates in Lithuania.
Kormotech explained it currently employs 175 people in Lithuania and plans to hire 200 more once the new factory is complete, primarily in production roles such as operators, technicians, electricians, locksmiths, warehouse workers, and packers, along with an expanded administrative team. Most employees are from Kėdainiai and its surroundings, but future hiring may extend to Kaunas, Jonava, Panevėžys, and Šiauliai as demand grows.
