Purina believes in the future of Gonzales

GONZALES — For almost 50 years, the Purina Company has been a mainstay and anchor of the Gonzales economy.

First opened in 1969, the Purina milling operation out on Business 90 has been providing feed to this region’s ranchers and breeders for generations.

“I believe our company felt it was important to reach and service the animal feed needs in the area,” said Rick Duncan, plant manager of the Gonzales Purina operation. “This area has lots of animals—cattle, deer, poultry, horses—and the people of this area love animals. We felt there was a need to provide feed so I’m sure that’s why this operation was built back in 1969.”

When Purina first opened in Gonzales, it was created to provide feed to the area’s cattle and poultry ranches. The company started only with mash feeds, but as the demand changed and the company learned about the region’s animal needs, a pellet operation was added later.

“They’ve expanded the property and the footprint quite a bit over the years,” Duncan said. “There were a lot of reasons for that. When we started we were only doing cattle and poultry. Now, deer feed is our second biggest line, and poultry has dropped to number three. And we can’t forget horse feed, which is our number four line because of the importance of horses in cattle ranching and to showing horses.

“Gonzales and this part of Texas really likes animals, and Purina has been providing feed to meet those demands. That’s why I think Purina will have a large footprint in this area for a long time.”

Duncan, who graduated from Oklahoma State with a degree in Agricultural Economics, says Gonzales is ideally suited to have a Purina feed operation.

“It starts with this area’s love and abundance of animals,” Duncan said. “This area has a great climate, there are a lot of cattle, deer and poultry here, there is a great workforce to choose from, and the people are all very friendly. It’s a perfect match.”

Duncan first came to Gonzales from Oklahoma seven years ago.

“Purina was looking for a new plant manager, and they asked me to take a look at the facility and operation,” Duncan said. “When I came and saw the community and experienced the friendliness of the people, I decided to move here.”

Duncan said Gonzales is not only a great place to live and work in, but it’s a great environment for other businesses to consider locating their business here.

“I would recommend Gonzales to anyone or any business considering Gonzales as a home,” Duncan said, before joking: “As long as it is not a feed operation.’’

Duncan said the City has been a fantastic partner to work with over the years, and the great workforce and friendly and hospitable people are great assets for the community. Plus, there is a rail line and solid trucking companies to deliver the finished goods to market.

“Purina’s future in Gonzales is very bright and very strong,” Duncan said. “Recently, we’ve invested a large amount of capital in our equipment and facility, and we wouldn’t do that if we didn’t think we see a great future here in this part of the country.”

Duncan is married to the former Aimee Allison, and they have three children: Kailey, 25, and an Oklahoma State Graduate; Brook, 23 (OSU) and Drew, 21, a student at Oklahoma State University.