JBS beef unit Friboi recently started operations at a new beef facility in Brasnorte, Mato Grosso, Brazil. The plant will initially process 500 animals per day. The company said it invested more than 70 million reals (nearly $17 million) in the acquisition and construction of the facility.

 “We believe in Brasnorte’s potential, which will bring even more relevance to our cattle operation in Mato Grosso state. We have invested not only in building an excellent facility with modern equipment and workflows but also in high-quality training to our local workforce, with a focus on occupational safety,” Friboi president Renato Costa said. “We will continue investing in all our plants in the coming years, which reaffirms the company’s long-term commitment to Brazil.”

According to JBS, this is the first stage of investments at the Brasnorte plant. Currently, the plant employs 300 people, but another 900 job opportunities are planned as the plant expands. For now, the initial goal of the new operation is to meet domestic market demand.

More investments

In 2019, Friboi invested in equipment modernization and project implementation to allow for better production flow in its facilities.

In January, the company will start operating a continuous freezing tunnel in Barra do Garças, which will bring more agility to the operation as well as increased capacity in Mozarlândia. In January and March, two new hamburger lines will start operating in Campo Grande, which will double Friboi's production capacity. In February, the company will begin a second work shift at its Senador Canedo facility to meet rising global demand for animal protein, creating 350 new jobs in the city. The investments total more than 154 million reals (approximately $37 million).

Friboi currently has 45,000 team members in Brazil, with business units in 55 cities.