Procter & Gamble to Move Pet Care Operations

   The Procter & Gamble Co., which manufacturers Iams and Eukanuba pet foods, unveiled plans on May 28 to move its North American pet care operations from Dayton, Ohio, to nearby Mason, Ohio, this fall. The pet care operations will become part of P&G's Mason Business Center, where the company's oral care, personal health and pharmaceuticals businesses are based.

The move is slated to begin in early October. P&G expects the move to increase productivity and enhance collaboration among more of its health care employees at the site.

"Our home address is changing but not our commitment to improving the well-being of all cats and dogs," Dan Rajczak, vice president of P&G's pet care business in North America, said in a statement. "If anything, this will help us do an even better job of connecting with our colleagues in health care to bring great innovation to pet care."

Approximately 2,000 P&G employees work in Mason, according to the company. All of P&G's approximately 240 pet care employees currently based in Dayton will join them. Jason Taylor, P&G Pet Care spokesman, said the company does not anticipate any kind of head count reduction as a result of the move.

The Cincinnati-based company noted that its pet food category remains attractive and is large, growing and fits well within P&G's core strengths. Since acquiring The Iams Co. in 1999, sales of the Iams and Eukanuba brands have more than doubled, P&G reported.