JBS USA to Close 2 Meat Plants, Cutting at Least 1,485 Jobs by August 14
Updated
Updated · Rural Radio Network · Jun 13
JBS USA to Close 2 Meat Plants, Cutting at Least 1,485 Jobs by August 14
3 articles · Updated · Rural Radio Network · Jun 13
Summary
JBS will permanently shut its Souderton, Pennsylvania, beef plant and a value-added facility in Memphis, with a Pennsylvania WARN notice showing 1,485 layoffs by August 14 and union officials saying about 1,700 workers are affected.
CEO Wesley Batista Filho said the closures are part of a U.S. growth strategy that shifts investment to newer operations in Texas, Georgia and Iowa, while JBS keeps its large Grand Island beef plant running.
The move adds to a string of meatpacking disruptions after Tyson last year closed its Lexington, Nebraska, beef plant—eliminating about 3,200 jobs and nearly 5% of daily U.S. beef slaughter capacity.
Labor strains remain a central backdrop: Cargill has locked out about 1,700 workers at Fort Morgan, Colorado, and nearly 4,000 workers at a JBS plant in Greeley struck earlier this year before ratifying a deal.
Together, JBS, Tyson, Cargill and National Beef control roughly 80% to 85% of U.S. beef processing capacity, making plant closures and labor disputes significant for industry capacity and local economies.