Meat processing giant JBS announced Friday it will close its beef plant in Souderton, Pennsylvania, and a value‑added facility in Memphis, Tennessee.
The Pennsylvania location has 1,700 employees, while the Tennessee location employs around 200 people. The planned date for closure is Aug. 14, spokesperson Nikki Richardson told Agri-Pulse.
JBS’s press release said there is a transition plan in place offering the employees of the two plants “on-site support and resources” and the ability to apply to other JBS locations nationwide. However, the closest JBS facility to the Souderton location is in Elizabethville, Pennsylvania, which is about 109 miles away. The closest facility to the Memphis location is about 115 miles away in Booneville, Mississippi.
Cut through the clutter! We deliver the news you need to stay informed about farm, food and rural issues. Sign up for a FREE month of Agri-Pulse here.
Souderton's location can process 1,950 cattle per day.
Meanwhile, JBS is investing in new facilities, including in Texas, Iowa, and Georgia. "These actions are part of a broader strategy focused on growth, modernization and long-term competitiveness in the United States," Richardson said.
