Grand Opening KENT WORLDWIDE™ Consumer Brands Division at McKee Plaza

MUSCATINE, Iowa (Jun. 6, 2025) – This week state and local leaders gathered at KENT^®’s new Consumer Brands office located at McKee Plaza. 

KENT^® bought the former McKee Button Company office building, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, in 2020, and started the adaptive reuse process to return it to its former glory, while turning it into modern offices. What was once a building with rows of gleaming machines, each meticulously shaping and molding pearl buttons made from mussels, is now the home for employees dedicated to brands such as Mrs. Wages^®, Sqwincher, World’s Best Cat Litter^®, Dole Soft Serve^®, Frostline^®, Cocoa Classics^® and more within the KENT^® Consumer Brands portfolio.

“While attempting to fill the shoes of such a world-renowned company as the McKee Button Company won’t be easy, I’m confident that the KENT^® Consumer Brands division, which will soon fill these halls, offices, and desks, is up for the challenge. The products that will be worked on here are quite different, the hard work and dedication that have been seen in these halls will be matched, as well as our desire to deliver exceptional value to our customers around the world,” said Gage Kent, chairman and CEO of KENT^®.

The renovation of the historic McKee Button Factory highlights KENT^®’s commitment to the Muscatine community. The work previously completed in this building contributed to Muscatine being known as the “Pearl Button Capital of the World”.

“Once again, the McKee Button Factory is under the management of an iconic and local business. And once again, it’s ready to play a main role in the Muscatine economy. There is no corporation I would rather entrust this beautiful, storied structure to than KENT WORLDWIDE™,” said Gov. Kim Reynolds, State of Iowa.

The building is adjacent to the Mississippi River and bookends historic downtown Muscatine.

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About KENT WORLDWIDE™

Since 1927, KENT WORLDWIDE has been guided by a deep commitment to animal care, human nutrition, and doing what’s right — values that have shaped its evolution into a globally diversified company. Today, KENT WORLDWIDE is a recognized leader in the manufacture and marketing of ag-based specialty ingredients and trusted consumer products. Award winning and proudly family-owned, KENT WORLDWIDE is headquartered in Muscatine, Iowa, and led by third-generation CEO Gage A. Kent.