GREELEY, Colo. – JBS USA announced a lease agreement on Dec. 3 with a J&B Group Inc. value-added beef processing facility in Pipestone, Minnesota. The JBS S.A. subsidiary said it plans to acquire the facility in the upcoming months for an undisclosed amount of money.

According to the release, the facility was destined for closure. The move by JBS USA protected 130 jobs in the southwest Minnesota town.

“We are excited to welcome the Pipestone team members to JBS USA,” said Bob Krebs, COO, JBS USA Pork. “We have worked with the J&B team under the common goals of preserving jobs and creating a sustainable future for the facility. We believe the facility’s infrastructure and accomplished workforce present a great opportunity to expand our ability to provide high-quality products to both domestic and export markets. We plan on investing in the facility and growing the business, allowing our new team members and the local community to grow with us.”  

J&B Group stated on Sept. 18 that it would sell the production facility and relocate workers and its resources to a St. Michael, Minnesota processing plant before the JBS USA purchase. The company did not identify a buyer and the facility was scheduled to close by the end of December.