JBS buys Iowa plant, plans to operate largest RTE pork facility in the US

JBS USA announced on Aug. 13 plans to buy a production facility in Ankeny, Iowa, making it the largest ready-to-eat bacon and ready-to-eat sausage facilities in the country, including its investment of $100 million in prepared foods production.

The 186,000-square-foot facility was previously owned and operated by grocery chain Hy-Vee.

Following capital investment and completed construction, JBS expects the facility to be operational by mid-2026 and create 400 jobs when all phases are completed in Ankeny.

JBS plans to employ former employees who worked at the facility.

“Today’s announcement aligns with our long-term strategy of offering more value-added and prepared foods products to meet the needs of our customers and consumers,” said Wesley Batista Filho, JBS USA chief executive officer. “We are proud to grow our operations in Iowa, where we already operate four production facilities, with another expected to break ground later this year.”

This is one of several investments JBS USA has made in a pork production recently. The company announced its plans to build a new fresh sausage production facility in Perry, Iowa. JBS already operates plants in Council Bluffs, Marshalltown and Ottumwa, Iowa.

In the latest announcement, JBS said the Perry fresh sausage plant would provide additional raw material to the Ankeny facility, which produces fully cooked sausage products and bacon.