Pilgrim’s Pride, the US meat business majority owned by Brazil’s JBS, is investing $400m in a new manufacturing plant.
The prepared-foods facility is to be built in LaFayette, a city in Walker County, in what Pilgrim’s described as a “multi-phase” project that will expand its existing presence in the state of Georgia.
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Once fully operational, the site will support 630 new jobs, Pilgrim’s said in a statement.
Located at the Walker County Business Park in LaFayette, the factory will produce cooked chicken products falling within Pilgrim’s prepared-foods business unit.
Work is expected to get underway this coming autumn and the first phase of the project is likely to be completed in 2027, when hiring of staff is projected to begin.
Pilgrim’s CEO Fabio Sandri said: “This significant investment will allow further growth of our prepared-foods business by expanding brands like Just Bare, Pilgrim’s, and Gold Kist, and supporting increasing demand in retail and foodservice channels.
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By GlobalData“Expanding the Pilgrim’s footprint in Georgia highlights our ongoing commitment to the region and our company’s long-term growth strategy.”
Pilgrim’s added that the company currently operates seven production facilities in Georgia, as well as feed mills and hatcheries. It employs around 7,500 workers in the state.
Angie Teems, the chair and CEO of the Walker County Government, added: “Not only is this a well-respected company with a strong track record, but it already has a presence in our community through its partnerships with local poultry growers.
“Expanding their operations here is a natural next step that will strengthen our local economy and reinforce our county’s commitment to supporting hardworking families.”
More broadly, Pilgrim’s said it operates meat and prepared-foods plants in 14 US states, but also has factories in Puerto Rico, Mexico, the UK, and the wider European region.
Meanwhile, JBS owns around 80% of Greeley, Colorado-based Pilgrim’s. The Brazilian meat giant did make a move to take full control in 2021 but then pulled out the following year.
“JBS withdrew its offer after it was unable to come to an agreement with the special committee of the PPC [Pilgrim’s Pride] board of directors regarding the terms of the proposed transaction,” the company said at the time.
The Brazil-based business has also been making investments of its own this year. In May, JBS announced a $135m project for a new sausage plant in Iowa by its US subsidiary.
JBS also unveiled $200m to boost beef production at its facilities in Cactus, Texas, and its Greeley plant in Colorado.
Further afield, the company said in March it planned to build two meat factories in Vietnam with a total investment of $100m. Then earlier this month, JBS kicked off its first beef shipments to the Asian country from its Mozarlândia factory in Brazil.
