The Swift Premium Foods unit of JBS SA has announced plans to build a new processed-meat plant in Columbia, Mo.
The $200 million facility will produce Italian-style cured meats like salami, pepperoni, prosciutto and pancetta. It will occupy 325,000 square feet, with 26,000 of that being “shell space” for future expansion. It is expected to employ more than 250.
The plant’s operation will feature advanced automation, including robotics and automatic guided vehicles (AGVs), according to Stellar, the construction firm that is handling the project.
"After an extensive review of potential locations, we are confident that Columbia is a great fit for our company, and this decision supports our focus on continued growth," Thomas Lopez, CEO of Swift Prepared Foods, said in a statement.