USA: JBS to acquire, expand production facility in Ankeny

JBS, the global meat producer, has announced plans to invest $100 million to acquire a facility in Ankeny (IA) to establish its largest US ready-to-eat bacon and sausage plant.

The facility, spanning 186,000 sq ft, will be transformed to produce fully cooked bacon and sausage products, having previously produced other food items for Hy-Vee stores.

Commenting on the move, JBS USA chief executive officer Wesley Batista Filho said: “Today’s announcement aligns with our long-term strategy of offering more value-added and prepared foods products to meet the needs of our customers and consumers. We are proud to grow our operations in Iowa, where we already operate four production facilities, with another expected to break ground later this year”.

JBS USA Prepared Foods head Rick Foster added: “This facility in Ankeny will not only expand our prepared foods business in the U.S., it will also benefit from synergies and strategic supply of product from our other plants in the region”.

The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, with the plant expected to be fully operational by mid-2026, creating around 400 jobs.

Source: JBS