International animal health company names KC as its U.S. headquarters

The Missouri Department of Economic Development (DED) today announced that Jurox Pty Ltd, an Australian veterinary pharmaceutical company, is expanding to North America and has selected Kansas City as to be home to its U.S. headquarters. The company’s expansion to Missouri will include a $741,000 capital investment and is expected to create 13 new, fulltime jobs.

“The Show-Me State has a rich history in the animal sciences sector and I’m proud to add to that legacy today by welcoming Jurox to Kansas City,” said Gov. Jay Nixon. “Jurox’s decision to locate its U.S. headquarters right here in Missouri further validates that there’s no better place to do business than the Show-Me State. With our trained workforce and low business-costs, Missouri makes it easy for companies to invest and hire.”

Jurox is an established family owned veterinary pharmaceutical company that manufactures and markets in excess of 120 proprietary animal health products in over 20 countries. With global headquarters in the Hunter Valley Australia, Jurox maintains commercial operations in New Zealand, United Kingdom. Looking to expand to North America, the company will establish its U.S. headquarters in Kansas City and will also locate several regional offices throughout the country.

“Kansas City is the obvious best location to launch Jurox’s U.S. operations,” said Jurox Managing Director John O’Brien. “Missouri offers a broad portfolio of animal health companies, a first-rate talent pool, and a superior transportation network that connects us to clientele around the country and globe. Kansas City’s reputation and resources in animal sciences provides advantages you can’t find elsewhere.”

“I’m thrilled that Jurox, an animal health company with an international profile, will be putting down roots in Kansas City,” said Mayor Sly James. “This announcement is further proof that our economy is growing in all the right ways and with an eye towards high growth industries of the future.”
“I am pleased all of the hard work to bring this company to Kansas City and to establish their North American Headquarters here paid off,” said U.S. Representative Emanuel Cleaver, II. “This is a win-win for our great city that will create new jobs and increase our city’s footprint in the animal health corridor. This is a good day for Jurox, for Kansas City, and for the entire metropolitan area.”

Missouri’s established bioscience industry and long agricultural history has made the state a top destination for animal health companies. Missouri, ranked in the top ten for both hog and cattle production, has been developing cutting edge technology to improve animal science and animal nutrition for over 75 years. The Kansas City region alone accounts for 32 percent of the $19 billion global animal health industry and is located in the center of the KC Animal Health Corridor, which boasts more than 220 animal health companies, representing the largest concentration in the world.

To assist Jurox with its expansion, the Department of Economic Development has offered a strategic incentive package that the company can receive if it meets strict job creation and investment criteria.