JBS acquires Empire Packing for US $238 million

JBS USA, the American subsidiary of Brazilian meat giant JBS SA, has acquired Empire Packing for US $238 million.

Headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee, Empire Packing supplies meat products to retailers in the US and also operates under the Ledbetter Foods brand name.

The transaction covers five production facilities located in Memphis, Cincinnati, Denver, Mason and Olympia as well as the full operations of the Ledbetter brand. JBS has been making a number of significant investments in the USA as it seeks to expand its position in the important North American market.

In the last year it has expanded its facility in Grand Island, Nebraska and its Plumrose USA prepared foods business in Iowa with investments of $95 million and $20 million, respectively.

A further $20 million has been invested in the JBS Global Food Innovation Center opened in Colorado last April with the aim of accelerating new product development.