JBS USA announced its plans for the renovation of a former Hy-Vee production facility in Ankeny, Iowa, to build out the largest ready-to-eat bacon and ready-to-eat sausage plant in the company’s U.S. portfolio.
The 186,000 square-foot facility will be transformed to produce fully cooked bacon and sausage products. Previously, the location produced other types of food for Hy-Vee stores. JBS is looking to hire former employees who previously worked at the facility for the retailer because of the type of work involved, JBS says.
The plant is expected to be operational by mid-2026 and create approximately 400 jobs when all phases of the project are finished.
“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,” Wesley Batista Filho, JBS USA Chief Executive Officer, said in a release. “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.”
Earlier this year, the company announced its intention to build a state-of-the-art fresh sausage production facility in Perry, Iowa. JBS also operates plants in Council Bluffs, Marshalltown and Ottumwa.
“This facility in Ankeny will not only expand our prepared foods business in the U.S., it will also benefit from synergies and strategic supply of product from our other plants in the region,” Rick Foster, head of JBS USA Prepared Foods, explained in a release.
Four years ago, JBS USA opened a fully cooked bacon facility in Moberly, Mo., which has already been through an expansion. In Perry, the fresh sausage plant will provide raw material to this new facility, allowing the company to produce fully cooked sausage items in addition to bacon, supporting ongoing efforts to meet increasing customer demand for these types of products.
JBS USA will offer its signature Hometown Strong and Better Futures programs in Ankeny, a program that supports rural America and investing in its team members by supporting infrastructure, childcare, housing, schools and more. The Better Futures program also provides tuition-free community college for team members and their children.
