High-tech on 40,000 square metres

According to Josera, the brand of the German family-owned company Erbacher, the nearly 40,000 m² factory is one of the most modern animal feed production facilities in Europe: it is equipped with production processes, automation and quality control systems, an in-house research laboratory and an integrated logistics management system supported by artificial intelligence. ‘We are delighted that our company is continuing to grow dynamically with the new plant and that we are thus opening up new markets in Central and Eastern Europe,’ explains Stephan Hoose, CEO of Josera petfood and member of the Leadership Board Sales and Markets at Erbacher the food family. He adds: ‘Our company’s products are available in almost 90 countries. Until now, all pet food production came from the factories in Kleinheubach, Germany.’

The new location is strategically well-positioned for international expansion in the animal feed sector: advanced technologies are set to improve production processes and significantly increase production capacity. In addition to Josera, Erbacher’s portfolio also includes the Josi, Green Petfood and Bavaro brands. In future, products for all brands will be manufactured at the new factory near Poznań – with further expansion potential. ‘The production capacity of the new plant in Poland is over 100,000 tonnes of dry feed per year. The facility in Nowy Tomyśl has been designed so that additional production lines can be installed, which could increase capacity by up to 50 per cent.’ During the opening ceremony, Dr Martin Wörner, Head of Compliance & Quality Management at Erbacher the food family, also announced a private label offering: Josera gives its partners the opportunity to market their own products with full control and transparency through tailor-made contract manufacturing, while drawing on Josera’s proven expertise, certifications and production quality.

The new pet food plant was built next to the existing livestock feed factory. The company’s headquarters will remain in Kleinheubach in the Miltenberg district, where high-quality animal feed has been produced for over 80 years by the third generation of the family. There are currently no further plans for expansion abroad. “We are currently focusing on our new plant and systematically utilising its production capacities. At the same time, this new investment strengthens our position in the European pet food market, which we intend to expand further,” explains Hoose.

Erbacher has been active in the Polish market for over 20 years and works to the same high quality standards in both countries, which are adhered to at both locations in accordance with strict guidelines. The company employs a total of over 1,000 people, most of them at its headquarters in Kleinheubach. Around 100 new jobs have been created at the Polish site. ‘The positions are primarily related to the growth of the company and the opening of the new factory. The jobs are divided between factory staff and office teams.’

This is the long version of the article from the print edition of PET worldwide 1/2026.