With seven decades of history, JBS is currently the largest protein producer in the world and the second largest food company in the world¹
The company operates in the processing of beef, pork, lamb and chicken, and also operates in the production of convenience foods and value added. In addition, it sells leather, hygiene and cleaning products, collagen, metal packaging, biodiesel, among others.
Note 1. Source: BloombergNowadays, JBS has more than 600 operations in the world, with more than 250 directly related to the production of meat and value added and convenience products. With over 270,000 team members, the company has the capacity to process more than 75 thousand heads of cattle per day, around 14 million birds per day, more than 147 thousand hogs per day and 71 thousand hides per day.
In addition, JBS has a widely diversified product portfolio, with recognized brands in Brazil and abroad such as Swift, Friboi, Seara, Maturatta, Plumrose, Pilgrim’s Pride, Just Bare, Gold’nPlump, Golden Kist Farms, Pierce, 1855, Primo and Beehive. This variety of products and the presence in 17 countries on five continents (between production platforms and offices), serving over 300,000 customers in approximately 190 countries worldwide.
Our History
The Company was founded in 1953 by José Batista Sobrinho, who started operations at a small slaughter plant, in the city of Anápolis, Goiás, with a capacity to slaughter five heads of cattle per day. Established on December 10, 1998, the Company began operations under the name Friboi Ltda. in 1999 and, in 2006, changed its name to JBS S.A.
In 2007, JBS S.A. concluded its initial public offering in Brazil, with the sale of 150,000,000 common shares, with a total net profit of R$1,152.0 million. In 2010, JBS S.A. completed a follow-on share offering of 200,000,000 common shares, with a total net profit of R$1,562.5 million.
In 2007, the Company acquired North American meat packer Swift&Company for approximately US$1.5 billion. This acquisition represented the Company’s first major expansion in the United States.
In 2009, JBS acquired 64% of the total capital of Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation (“PPC”), one of the largest chicken processors in the United States, with operations in Mexico, Puerto Rico and, later, the United Kingdom. As a result of subsequent purchases, on the date of this Reference Form, the Company owned 81.09% of PPC’s total share capital.
In 2009, J&F and ZMF Fundo de Investimentos em Participações, a Brazilian investment fund owned by the Company’s indirect controlling shareholders, entered into an association agreement with the controlling shareholders of Bertin S.A. (“Bertin”), a Brazilian company that was one of the largest exporters of beef and other livestock by-products in Latin America.
From 2012 to 2017, the Company entered into and completed a series of lease agreements and acquisitions that increased its production capacity for: (1) chicken and pork products in Brazil; (2) beef products in Brazil, Canada and the United States; (3) foods processed in Brazil and Australia; (4) chicken products in Mexico; and (5) leather products.
Below is a brief summary of other material corporate transactions that the Company has undertaken since 2016.
Among the acquisitions of this period, we highlight:
A business focused on antibiotic-free and organic chicken and owner of the Just Bare brand, which has stood out in online retailing in the United States;
A company specialized in the production of higher value-added products based on pork, including bacon, hams, sliced meats and cooked ribs, also in the United States;
Moy Park supplies private label chicken products to leading retailers and food service companies in the UK, Ireland and Europe and is a leader in the production of organic, cage-free and highest welfare chickens.
Which was acquired by Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation, a JBS subsidiary. Tulip is a leader in the production of pork and prepared foods and its operations are located in the United Kingdom;
One of the most traditional brands in the cold cuts and sausages segment and a reference in the mortadella segment in the state of São Paulo, acquired by Seara;
Acquisition of the margarine and mayonnaise assets of Bunge Alimentos S.A. (“Bunge”) in Brazil. The transaction includes three production units strategically located in Gaspar (SC), São Paulo (SP) and Suape (PE). Under the agreement, several brands will be acquired, including Delícia, Primor and Gradina - the latter destined for the food-service segment.
JBS USA acquired the case ready production units and the Ledbetter brand. The acquisition includes five production units located in Cincinnati (Ohio), Denver (Colorado), Mason (Ohio), Memphis (Tennessee) and Olympia (Washington), in addition to the retail product brand, Ledbetter.
Vivera is the third largest producer of plant-based products in Europe. The acquired company offers a broad portfolio of products under the Vivera brand in addition to private label products in more than 25 countries, with a relevant presence in the Netherlands, United Kingdom and Germany.
With an extensive product line in several categories and vertically integrated, Rivalea is a leader in pig breeding and processing in Australia, responsible for 26% of the pigs processed in the country.
Pilgrim’s Pride Corporation (“PPC”), an indirect subsidiary of the Company, has entered into an agreement to acquire the prepared foods (“Kerry Meats”) and meals (“Kerry Meals”) businesses of Kerry Consumer Foods in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
Huon e is Australia's second largest salmon aquaculture company with vertically integrated operations located in Tasmania, spanning hatcheries, marine aquaculture, harvesting, processing, marketing, sales and distribution.
Sunnyvalley Smoked Meats produces a variety of products including smoked bacon, ham and turkey breast for sale to retail and wholesale consumers under the Sunnyvalley brand. The acquisition includes a production facility in Manteca, California.
The King's Group is the market leader in the production of Prosciutto di San Daniele D.O.P. and has a relevant role in the manufacture of Prosciutto di Parma D.O.P. The business also covers the commercial operation of two historic brands, known for their high quality in the Italian charcuterie market.
TriOak Foods is a pork producer and grain marketer based in the Midwest United States.
