By DOUG SCHMITZ

Iowa Correspondent

GREELEY, Colo. – JBS USA announced June 15 the company will close its value-added facility in Memphis, Tenn., and its beef production facility in Souderton, Pa., focusing on what officials said were targeted changes to strengthen operations for the future.

Officials added these actions are part of a broader strategy focused on growth, modernization and long-term competitiveness in the U.S. The company said about 208 jobs will be impacted.

“These decisions are never easy because they directly affect our team members and the communities where we operate,” said Wesley Batista Filho, CEO of JBS USA, based in Greeley. “We are deeply grateful to the team members at these facilities for their efforts and contributions over many years. Our focus right now is on supporting them with transparency, respect, and access to new opportunities wherever possible.”

Officials said the company is implementing transition plans that include: opportunities for team members to apply for open roles at other company facilities across the United States; on-site support and resources to assist team members through the transition; and continued engagement with local stakeholders and workforce partners.

Over the past year, officials added the company has made significant investments in new facilities and improvements across the United States, including major expansions in Texas, Georgia and Iowa.

Filho said these projects are focused on growing the company’s prepared foods and value-added capabilities, modernizing operations and enhancing its ability to serve customers in the years ahead.

“JBS USA is investing heavily in the United States and in the future of food production,” he said. “At the same time, we must ensure our operations are efficient, modern and positioned to compete. By investing where we are growing and making difficult adjustments where needed, we are building a stronger and more resilient company.”

Earlier this year, the company combined its beef and case-ready businesses into a more integrated platform designed to improve efficiency, enhance productivity and expand value-added capabilities across its network, officials said. Production from the affected facilities will be absorbed into other operations across its network, ensuring continuity of supply and service for customers, officials added.

Filho said the company remains confident in its long-term outlook: “Demand for high-quality protein continues to grow, and we are committed to meeting that demand as a reliable partner to our customers, producers, and communities. These steps ensure we are better positioned to invest in the future, strengthen our operations, and continue delivering the products people depend on every day.”

Lee Maddox, Tennessee Farm Bureau Federation director of communications, told Farm World while the federation has made no official statement about the Memphis plant closure, the organization is concerned about the loss of jobs that will be impacted with the facility’s closure.