JBS Acquires Beef Brand in the U.S.

The refrigerator announces the acquisition of an equity stake in the American company Empire Packing Company L.P., to buy five refrigerators and the Ledbetter brand of beef in the United States. JBS USA, the group's subsidiary in the country, will pay US$238 million for assets. "Today's announcement shows our continued commitment to diversifying our product offering. Empire is a leading company in strategic regions of the United States," says André Nogueira, chief executive of JBS USA. Of the five refrigerators purchased, four are from Ledbetter and one from Empire. The Ledbetter brand is marketed in supermarkets in several U.S. states.