Jacob Stern is a leading distributor of oleochemicals through its Acme-Hardesty division, located in Blue Bell, PA, and is the largest US exporter of tallow. Tyson Fresh Meats currently operates six beef plants and six pork plants in the US. Jacob Stern & Sons is among Tyson’s largest customers for animal by-products and is the largest US processor and marketer of animal fats.
The new business, JST Global, will be headquartered in Houston, Texas, with former president of Jacob Stern & Sons’ Texas Division Jay Van Valen in position as chief executive officer. The Jacob Stern & Sons and Tyson Fresh Meats sales teams will collaborate to provide a seamless transition for customers.
Following a transition period, the marketing of all animal fats generated by Tyson Fresh Meats will be conducted by JST Global teams in Houston, Dakota Dunes, and Omaha.
“Jacob Stern and Tyson Fresh Meats have enjoyed a strong relationship for over 50 years. Combining Tyson’s vast supply of animal fats with Jacob Stern’s Texas operations is a natural evolution and positions JST Global to meet growing worldwide demand,” said Phil Bernstein, chairman of Jacob Stern & Sons.
“We maximize the value of every animal we harvest so that no part of the animal goes to waste,” said Steve Stouffer, group president of Tyson Fresh Meats. “Responsibly processing fats and oils are a key part of our business and our commitment to sustainability. This joint venture gives us the opportunity to continue to value-up our beef and pork production, enabling us to innovate in new untapped markets while continuing to work directly with existing animal fat customers and the emerging renewable energy market.”
Van Valen said: “With a secured supply, JST Global is strongly positioned to address the global demand for commodity and value-added animal fat. JST Global’s scale and broad capabilities are key differentiators that will allow us to deliver customized solutions, particularly in highly specialized markets such as renewable energy.”
