New expansion/facility will create 199 jobs, result in $2.5 million capital investment

MADISON, WI. OCT. 21, 2019 – Vets Plus Inc., a manufacturer and distributor of animal health and nutrition products, is expanding its pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities and operations in Menomonie—a $2.5 million project expected to create 199 jobs over the next three years.

“This decision by Vets Plus to invest here in Wisconsin shows the company’s continued commitment to our state and their workforce,” said Missy Hughes, secretary and CEO of WEDC, the state’s lead economic development organization. “Companies have a choice when deciding to expand, and their decision to extend their operations in Menomonie is a testament to Wisconsin’s strong business climate and dedicated workforce.”

Rajiv “Raj” Lall, founder and CEO of Vets Plus stated, “Menomonie has been the home of Vets Plus and my family for 30 years, and I feel blessed with the tremendous support we’ve received from the local community. This commitment to expanding our manufacturing capacity in our hometown reaffirms our pride in this wonderful community.”

WEDC is supporting the project by authorizing up to $400,000 in state income tax credits over the next three years. The actual amount of tax credits Vets Plus will receive is contingent upon the number of jobs created and the amount of capital investment made during that period.

The project includes the expansion of the Vets Plus facility at 902 Stokke Parkway and the renovation of a facility at 4602 Domain Drive. The Stokke Parkway site expansion involves adding 30,000 square feet of manufacturing space that will allow Vets Plus to add new capacity to its soft chew supplement manufacturing line to meet growing customer demand. This expansion will result in the creation of 139 full-time positions.

At the Domain Drive site, the renovation will transform an existing 55,000-square-foot building into a state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing facility. The new facility, which is expected to create 60 new positions, will enable the company to produce drug products, including pet medicines in Vets Plus’ innovative soft chew matrix, under the subsidiary name Noble Pharma. Noble Pharma LLC is a contract development and manufacturing organization for pharmaceutical products, fully owned by Vets Plus.

“It’s exciting to see Wisconsin-based businesses like Vets Plus expand,” said state Sen. Patty Schachtner. “Western Wisconsin is growing, and continued investment by Vets Plus is a testament to the skilled workers and great opportunities in our region.”

“The community is extremely proud of Vets Plus and their continued growth and investment in Menomonie,” said Menominee Mayor Randy Knaack. “This homegrown firm has gone from a small regional company to a competitive player in the international market. The Lall family continues to show their commitment to the community as their continued expansions provide employment and investment opportunities for the area.”

In addition to the 199 jobs expected to be created by Vets Plus, an economic modeling study estimates the project could indirectly generate 352 additional jobs in the region. Those 551 total new jobs are expected to generate $4.5 million in state income tax revenue over a five-year period.

Vets Plus Inc., founded in 1990 in Menomonie by current CEO Raj Lall, is a leading manufacturer of health and nutrition products for livestock and companion animals. It has six production facilities within a 10-mile radius of Menomonie. In 2017, Vets Plus acquired dog toy business Steel Dog and relocated their operations from Minnesota to Menomonie. In 2018, the company acquired Merrick’s Inc. a producer of boluses, tablets, powders and electrolytes in the animal industry with a plant in Wonewoc, WI.

Today, Vets Plus manufactures and distributes animal health and nutrition products in the U.S. and around the world. The range of products includes vitamin supplements, dental sticks, electrolytes, probiotics, feed additives and soft chews.