Nat-Phen International, a Canadian manufacturer of natural food additives for livestock feed, has chosen Salisbury as the site of a new manufacturing facility.

The Quebec-based company expects to invest $10 million in the new facility over the next five years and create up to 25 new jobs, with the potential for additional jobs once the site is fully operational.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan met with Nat-Phen officials on Thursday in Montreal, as part of a regional economic development mission to Canada.

Yves Marchand, principal of Nat-Phen International, credited the work of state, county and city officials in helping the feed company make its expansion decision.

“Wicomico County, Maryland's central location, the commitment of Salisbury and Wicomico officials and the strong partnership with the economic development folks have made this decision easy,” said Yves Marchand.

“We're thrilled to be setting up operations on Maryland's Eastern Shore and look forward to a long and prosperous relationship,” he said.

Nat-Phen produces plant-based, polyphenol additives to enhance the feed given to swine, poultry, cattle and other livestock and keep the animals healthy. The company’s new Salisbury operation will focus on the poultry industry.

Nat-Phen expects to begin its Maryland manufacturing operations within the next 18 months, producing finished products for the U.S. domestic farming market.

Hogan, who has been in Canada this week meeting with an array of business and government leaders, said Nat-Phen is a good fit for the Lower Shore.

"Maryland has a long, strong history of farming and manufacturing, and we’re proud to have Nat-Phen become the latest business to carry on that legacy,” Hogan said.

“Maryland’s strategic location and access to highly qualified employees, as well as our thriving agricultural industry, will provide Nat-Phen with a competitive advantage to help the company expand into the U.S. market and attract new customers,” he said.

Salisbury Mayor Jake Day said officials had been working for several months to win Nat-Phen’s attention as a potential manufacturing location.

“After more than a year of courting, Salisbury is proud to welcome Nat-Phen to our city,” Day said. “Another manufacturer moving to Salisbury -- the sixth in 12 months -- especially one that builds on our fantastic agricultural sector, contributes to the already 12 percent manufacturing employment in Salisbury -- Maryland's highest percentage manufacturing job community.“These 25 high-paying jobs will add to the more than 1,500 manufacturing jobs added to Salisbury since 2015," Day said.

The Greater Salisbury Committee last spring hosted a visit from Hogan and state Comptroller Peter Franchot. Hogan has visited Salisbury several times since and seems to have an affinity for Wicomico County.

“We are thrilled that Gov. Hogan and his team are looking beyond our borders for business partners,” said Mike Dunn, GSC President & CEO. “The collaborative approach to economic development that the state of Maryland is employing, as well as the collaborative approach that is at the heart of what Salisbury-Wicomico Economic Development has always done, continues to produce results.”

Added Dunn: “This is yet another huge leap forward for our region, and for Salisbury and Wicomico County in particular.”

According to Nat-Phen officials, their reading of the U.S. market is that Americans are seeking higher-quality products -- particularly meat, eggs and milk -- and U.S. consumers are increasingly concerned about the ethical treatment of animals. They said Nat-Phen’s food additives improve both the quality of food production and the health of livestock while increasing the efficiency of food production.

On Friday, Hogan will address the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal and meet with additional business leaders and Canadian officials before returning to Maryland.