JBS buys plant in Iowa and plans to operate its largest RTE pork facility in the U.S.

The 186,000-square-foot facility was previously owned and operated by the Hy-Vee supermarket chain. Following capital investment and the completion of construction, JBS expects the facility to be operational by mid-2026 and to create 400 jobs when all phases are completed in Ankeny. JBS plans to employ former employees who worked at the facilities. “Today’s announcement aligns with our long-term strategy to offer more prepared and value-added food products to meet the needs of our customers and consumers,” said Wesley Batista Filho, CEO of JBS USA. “We are proud to expand our operations in Iowa, where we already operate four production plants, and another is expected to open later this year.” This is one of several recent investments JBS USA has made in pork production. The company announced plans to build a new fresh sausage production plant in Perry, Iowa. JBS already operates plants in Council Bluffs, Marshalltown, and Ottumwa, Iowa. In the latest announcement, JBS said the ...