JBS SA, already the world’s largest meat packer, bought two
more companies this week.
It is paying $1.25 billion US to buy the Primo Group, the
leading ham and bacon processor in Australia and New Zealand, and $167 million
to buy Big Frango, the largest poultry processor in Southern Brazil.
The company was also fined $3.9 million US by Brazil’s
Superior Labour Court for the way staff was treated at a Seara Alimentos
facility.
The Superior Labour Court actually reduced the original fine
of $9.7 million US imposed by a regional labour court.
The fine was mainly related to working conditions for staff
in cold environments, such as meat-freezing rooms. They now get regular breaks.
The fines originated in 2007 when the company was owned by
the Mafrig Group. It sold to JBS SA in October, 2012.
