Investment decision made – Snellman to start the construction of a pet food factory

In March 2025, Snellman Group announced that it was planning to build a new pet food factory in Pedersöre, Ostrobothnia. The company received a construction and environmental permit from the municipality of Pedersöre in May, and now the company's Board of Directors has made an official investment decision. Construction is scheduled to commence as soon as possible, in early July. According to the plan, the production facility is scheduled for completion by the end of May 2026.

“I am very pleased that the construction of the new production plant can commence so soon. We have a real need for a modern production facility to meet the increased demand and expand our product range. This is an approximately EUR 17 million investment, which is significant for us. At the same time, we want to be creating a new standard for the construction of modern and energy-efficient production plants”, notes Magnus Pettersson, Director, Snellman Petfood business unit.

The rapid progress with the project has been made possible by meticulous and efficient design work. The latest BIM technology has been utilised in the planning. Environment and energy efficiency are considered in all aspects of the production plant and its construction. Technical Manager Markus Snellman gives a couple of examples:

“We will use carbon dioxide (CO₂) as a refrigerant to cool down freezer room. In the production process the spiral freezers down to -40 °C. We will recover the waste heat generated by the cooling system in two stages. Heat generated by cooling compressors will be used for heating water and producing pre-heated air for ventilation systems. The heat required for processes, washing water and the heating of the building will be covered with waste heat recovered from the refrigeration equipment.”

Attention to sustainability is evident in areas beyond the production facility’s energy solutions. Side streams from the nearby Snellman meat processing’s production are utilized in the production of the popular MUSH products. This allows us to reduce wastage effectively and make the most of all our raw materials.

Snellman Group's pet food business operations are growing strongly. This growth is driven by the increasing popularity of feeding raw food for pets in Finland, the Nordic countries and Europe in general. The new production facility will enable the expansion of the production and product portfolio as well as support company's commitment to the natural pet food and pet welfare.

Additional information:
Magnus Pettersson, Director, Snellman Petfood tel. +358 44 538 6389, email: magnus.pettersson@mushbarf.fi

Vilma Wiitakorpi Björkman, Chief Communication and Sustainability Officer, Snellman Group, tel. +358 50 308 0879, e-mail: vilma.wiitakorpi-bjorkman@snellman.fi

Snellman Petfood:
Snellman Petfood has been bringing the joy of natural nutrition to pets since 2011. Our mission is to provide nutritious and balanced raw food because it is naturally best for dogs and cats. We produce frozen raw food, treats and freeze-dried products under the brands MUSH, Fodax and Raw for Paw. In addition to Finland, Sweden and Norway, the MUSH product family is sold in several other countries. Fodax and Raw for Paw have established themselves in Sweden. We have factories in Pietarsaari in Finland and in Nässjö in Sweden. In 2024, our turnover was approximately EUR 25 million, and we have more than 90 dedicated employees who contribute to the well-being of pets every day.

Snellman Group:
Snellman Group is a Finnish food house that offers the best tastes under the most trusted brands on the market. As a family business, we manufacture our products as if we were making them for ourselves, always bearing in mind the well-being of people, animals and the environment. In addition to Finland, Snellman Group has operations in Sweden, and we export our products to several countries. We employ around 2,000 passionate experts and food professionals who put their heart into making food and never compromise on taste.