The expansion project includes the installation of new, improved animal handling facilities, a temperature-controlled harvest floor, and facility reconfiguration designed to improve team member experience, food safety and product quality.
The 107,000 sq ft expansion and facility enhancements are expected to “better position the company to sustainably meet evolving customer and consumer expectations for high-quality, great-tasting US beef products”. The expansion project has already begun and is anticipated to be complete in early 2021. Operations at Grand Island will continue uninterrupted throughout project execution.
The Grand Island beef facility became part of the JBS USA group in 2007 and produces nearly one billion pounds of beef and beef products each year. The facility partners with more than 670 local producers to export US beef to more than 30 countries around the world, including Canada, Chile, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Mexico and Singapore, under brands such as 1855 Black Angus, Swift and Swift Black Angus.
It is hoped the expansion project will allow JBS USA to strategically capitalise on increased international demand forecasts for high-quality US beef and value-added beef products.
Tim Schellpeper, JBS USA fed beef president, said: “The announced expansion is an important strategic investment to secure Grand Island as an unquestioned leader in food quality, animal care and beef innovation for years to come. Around the world, from North and South America to Asia and Africa, consumers crave the superior taste and quality of American beef. Partnering with leading Nebraska and other area beef producers, we are proud to invest in a vibrant future for US beef.”
Plant manager Zack Ireland added: “JBS Grand Island has been a standard-bearer for American beef for over half a century. Our team sends the best US beef products the country has to offer to customers both domestically and globally. This announcement strengthens our long-standing commitment to local farmers and ranchers, our team members, key customers and the community of Grand Island, whose support has been critical to our ongoing success.”
