OBSERVER Photo by Jade Ramsey Schlich Pictured from left are Richard Purol, Dunkirk town supervisor; Ron Bowers, PURINA factory manager; an unidentified governor representative, Catherine Young, state senator; Geoffrey Lyons, PURINA; Deborah Tederous, United Way; Andrew Goodell, assembleyman; and Willie Rosas, Dunkirk mayor.

The Nestle PURINA plant celebrated 45 years in Dunkirk on Saturday with its employees, retirees and families.

The celebration provided a wide variety of entertainment, including games for the children, several aerial dog shows, guided tours of the plant and a catered luncheon. There were about 1,000 employees and their families in attendance and, through their cheerful camaraderie, they proved how PURINA has made a true community.

After a brief welcome, several high-ranking officials congratulated the workers and offered their gratitude to the overwhelming donations PURINA has offered the city of Dunkirk. These speakers included Mayor Willie Rosas, Assemblyman Andrew Goodell, State Senator Catherine Young, United Way’s Deborah Tederous and Dunkirk Town Supervisor Richard Purol.

In thanks to PURINA’s incredible contributions to United Way, Deborah Tederous presented Factory Manager, Ronald Bowers with the Beacon Award for his many Philanthropic Services. Tedorous said, “The entire belief of Nestle is community.”

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Goodell also offered congratulations and said, “When you’re dealing with people’s pets, you’re dealing with what they really love…you have to meet the highest standards and we’re celebrating 45 years of the highest standards.”

Bowers said he couldn’t wait to come work in Dunkirk, nearly 17 years ago. He’s been with PURINA for 35 years and was positioned in Europe before an opening in Dunkirk presented itself. The fit was perfect for Bowers, as Dunkirk is where his wife grew up.

When asked about daily work, he said, “I look forward to coming every morning and making my walk through. We’re a family here.”

Dunkirk’s Nestle PURINA facility’s employment has doubled since Bowers came in 2001. In just the last five years, PURINA has invested $90 million in expansion. And 90 percent of PURINA’s in-store products come from the Dunkirk facility.

Bowers relayed what Nestle Says of the Dunkirk site: “This is the place to go to get things done.”

Bowers was the key advocate for the new expansion of pet treats manufacturing.

“We’re the only manufacture of the ‘Busy Bones’ treats,” he boasted.

Every employee present relished in the company’s glory. During the guided tour, it wasn’t uncommon to see Bowers pat his staff on the back and ask them to share their favorite part of their work.

Doug Stock, who retired in 2008, took the tour in awe and said of the expansions since, “It’s all unbelievable.”

IT Manager, Jay Ondus, began as an engineer and now, 27 years later, has a “seasoned department” of four people who handle all the “rapidly changing” technology in the facility. On what he found most enjoyable of the company, he said, “(PURINA) is a very family-oriented environment, very community-minded.”

“They take care of us,” Lynne MacQuiggin said. She began as a batch operator and after 26 years, works in treats manufacturing. She discussed how the company considers its employees by providing bowling tournaments, summer picnics and holiday parties.

“It’ll be here for many years to come,” she said.

In his address, Rosas praised Dunkirk’s PURINA facility by saying they are “always at the top of the list.” He thanked them for donating $10,000 toward the new community dog park.

One cannot help but agree with Young’s assessment in her own statement to the faculty at Nestle PURINA: “This is such a positive place. Thank you for investing in our area.”