JBS to buy U.S. meat processor Empire Packing

The U.S. arm of Brazilian meat packing giant JBS plans to expand its footprint in case-ready further processing with a deal for Memphis-based Empire Packing.

Empire operates meat and poultry processing plants in its home town of Memphis as well as in Cincinatti, Denver, Olympia, Wash. and Mason, Ohio.

It also makes the Ledbetter line of retail meat products, a brand dating back to 1959.

JBS USA announced Tuesday it would buy the five plants and the Ledbetter business for US$238 million (C$315 million), pending “regulatory review and government approvals.”

“Today’s announcement highlights our ongoing commitment to diversifying our product offerings,” JBS USA CEO Andre Nogueira said in a release.

Privately-held Empire “is a longstanding, respected family-owned company with strong leadership and quality assets in strategic locations across the U.S. that fit well in our business model,” he said. — Glacier FarmMedia Network