US – Swift Prepared Foods, a subsidiary of JBS USA, has expand its manufacturing footprint in the United States with the commissioning of a new bacon processing plant in Moberly, Missouri.

The JBS subsidiary is a consumer packaged goods (CPG) company focusing on protein-centric prepared foods in both private label and branded offerings.

According to a statement from the company, the US$68 million facility will produce fully cooked bacon and employ approximately 200 workers.

Tom Lopez, Swift’s president and chief operating officer, said the central location and local support for the company were integral to deciding to build the plant in Moberly.

“This is a great day for Swift Prepared Foods, and we are proud to call Missouri home as we continue to grow our company and create opportunities for our team members,” Mr. Lopez said.

“This milestone marks our entrance into the region, and we look forward to making Moberly an even better place to live and work.”

Following the inauguration of the Missouri facility, Swift will now boast of six plants in the United States.

This past month, JBS USA announced plans to build a US$200 million charcuterie production plant in Columbia, Mo.

UK’s Heck! Food double production capacity

Meanwhile, Heck! Food, a UK sausage and burger manufacturer, is set to double its production capacity after investing £3.5 million expansion project at its facility in Kirklington, near Bedale.

The company which is known for its wide range of sausages and burgers, including vegan, vegetarian, pork and chicken options – says the 40,000-square-foot expansion project will double its production capacity with the investment.

 Heck! expects the newly announced expansion project to enable it to produce up to 1 million sausages a day and to enter new categories, while Heck! also plans to create additional jobs.

The company is also launching a new range of cooked snacks, Bangin’ Bites, which marks the brand’s first foray into the ‘grab and go’ market.

The new bites are reported to offer cooked cocktail versions of the company’s 97% and Chicken Italia sausages.

In addition to food processing, the company has installed a vertical farm onsite, which will grow herbs and vegetables for its Italia and Veg with Edge products.

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