TONGANOXIE, KS — The Weitz Company announces that the DSM‑Firmenich Petfood Premix Facility in Tonganoxie, Kansas, has been recognized at the 2025 Associated Builders and Contractors Minnesota & North Dakota (ABC MN/ND) Excellence in Construction (EIC) Banquet. The project received the Pyramid Award in the Industrial Construction - Over $20 Million category.
The ABC MN/ND EIC program celebrates construction achievements delivered by member contractors across the region. Winners from the regional program advance to national consideration.
The 70,000‑square‑foot petfood premix and vitamin trace mineral (VTM) facility features advanced robotics, automation, and containerized ingredient‑handling technologies, replacing traditional equipment used in the petfood industry. These innovations position the facility as the most technologically advanced premix plant for both DSM‑Firmenich and the broader petfood premix market. Systems throughout the facility automate ingredient receiving, micro‑batching, blending, conveying, and packaging.
Operator safety was a priority in the facility’s design. Clear work zones, dedicated visitor pathways, and strategically planned tour routes enhance both safety and user experience. Given the significant robotic and automated equipment in motion, machine guarding and safety fencing were carefully engineered to protect operators while maintaining accessibility for maintenance.
In addition to the Pyramid Award, the team was also recognized with the STEP Safety Management System Platinum award.
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Weitz Professional Services LLC (WPS), Weitz’s internal design and engineering group, provided overall plant layout, process design, and fugitive particle matter recovery systems. WPS also developed and managed the master equipment list. Additionally, they coordinated the engineering efforts of multiple design‑build trade partners to ensure integration across all disciplines.
