JBS USA will shutter two production facilities in Pennsylvania and Tennessee as part of a broader effort to streamline operations and support long-term growth, the company announced this week.

The closures affect the company's beef production facility in Souderton, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia, and its value-added production facility in Memphis, Tennessee. JBS said production from both sites will be redistributed across its existing network to maintain supply continuity for customers.

The move comes as the company continues to reshape its US operations through targeted investments in higher-growth areas and efforts to enhance efficiency across its protein production platform.

Wesley Batista Filho, CEO of JBS USA, said: "These decisions are never easy because they directly affect our team members and the communities where we operate. We are deeply grateful to the team members at these facilities for their efforts and contributions over many years. Our focus right now is on supporting them with transparency, respect, and access to new opportunities wherever possible."

JBS said it is implementing transition plans for impacted employees, including opportunities to apply for open positions at other company facilities throughout the United States. The company will also provide on-site support resources and continue working with local stakeholders and workforce partners during the transition process.

The closures are part of a broader strategy focused on strengthening the company's operational footprint while investing in future growth opportunities. Over the past year, JBS USA has expanded its presence through investments in facilities across Texas, Georgia and Iowa, with a particular emphasis on prepared foods and value-added production capabilities.

Batista Filho added, "JBS USA is investing heavily in the United States and in the future of food production. At the same time, we must ensure our operations are efficient, modern and positioned to compete. By investing where we are growing and making difficult adjustments where needed, we are building a stronger and more resilient company."

Earlier this year, JBS USA integrated its beef and case-ready operations into a single platform aimed at improving productivity and expanding value-added capabilities across its network. The latest facility closures represent another step in the company's efforts to optimise its production footprint amid changing market dynamics.

Despite the operational changes, JBS emphasised that customer service and product availability will not be affected. The company said production capacity from the affected facilities will be absorbed by other sites within its US network to ensure uninterrupted supply.

The announcement reflects broader trends within the food manufacturing sector, where companies are increasingly balancing investments in automation, efficiency improvements and value-added product offerings with efforts to maintain competitiveness in a challenging operating environment.

Batista Filho said: "Demand for high-quality protein continues to grow, and we are committed to meeting that demand as a reliable partner to our customers, producers, and communities. These steps ensure we are better positioned to invest in the future, strengthen our operations, and continue delivering the products people depend on every day."

JBS USA said it remains committed to supporting US agriculture and rural communities through its relationships with producers and growers nationwide, as well as through community initiatives focused on education and economic development.

The company, one of the largest protein producers in the United States, said the operational changes are intended to create a more resilient and competitive business positioned for future growth.