GREELEY, Colo., April 22, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- JBS USA, a leading animal protein processor in the U.S., Canada and Australia and a wholly owned subsidiary of Brazil-based JBS S.A., announces the opening of a state-of-the-art ground beef production facility at the JBS beef processing plant in Tolleson, Ariz.
The new facility began production last week and includes a modern distribution center and 16,000 square feet of the latest high-tech equipment and systems available. The JBS facility will produce a variety of high-quality ground beef items including Cedar River Farms® Natural Beef and Showcase Premium Ground Beef™. Customers will be afforded a comprehensive product offering that includes a variety of lean points, packaging formats and raw material specifications to ensure superior customer satisfaction.
"Our innovative ground beef operation was carefully designed to respond and expand quickly to our customers' growing needs," said Bill Rupp, president and COO of JBS USA Beef. "We are excited to provide high-quality, ground beef to our retail, foodservice and distribution customers. Initial customer feedback is very positive."
According to recent studies, 49 percent of American consumers say they eat ground beef, and it accounts for 48 percent of all fresh beef purchased at supermarkets and 67 percent of all beef eaten at food service outlets. Ground beef allows shoppers to stretch their meat dollars and provides enjoyable eating experiences for all occasions.
About JBS USA
JBS USA, an indirect, wholly owned subsidiary of the world's largest meat company, JBS S.A., is a leading processor of beef, pork and lamb in the U.S. and a leading processor of beef and lamb in Australia. JBS USA processes, prepares, packages and delivers fresh, further-processed and value-added beef and pork products for sale to customers in more than 60 countries on five continents. JBS USA is also a majority shareholder of Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, the second largest poultry company in the U.S.
For more information, visit www.jbssa.com
About JBS S.A.
JBS S.A., the global leader in meat production, processes beef, pork, lamb and poultry in addition to leather and other animal by-products. JBS S.A. processes, prepares, packages and delivers fresh, further-processed and value-added beef, pork, lamb and poultry products in more than 150 countries on five continents.
For more information, visit www.jbs.com.br