Swift Prepared Foods, a subsidiary of leading global food company JBS USA, has opened its newest facility – Principe Foods, which produces high-quality Italian meats and charcuterie. Company executives were joined by local, regional, and state leaders as they cut the ribbon on their new facility today in Columbia.
“We are excited to welcome Principe Foods to Missouri,” said Governor Mike Parson. “More than 400 companies in the food industry are currently operating in Missouri, and that figure continues to grow thanks to world-class companies like JBS USA and Swift Prepared Foods investing in our state. This facility will provide many new opportunities for the mid-Missouri region, and we look forward to seeing the company succeed for years to come.”
The company invested more than $200 million in the new, 325,000-square-foot Italian meats and a charcuterie production facility. Principe Foods has already created 100 new jobs in the region, with plans to hire 100 to 200 more people over the next year. The company offers extremely competitive wages to attract and retain top talent. Additionally, Principe Foods offers strong benefits and tuition-free community college for team members and their children.
“We are very pleased to celebrate the opening of this state-of-the-art Italian meats facility in Columbia, Missouri,” said Tom Lopez, President of Swift Prepared Foods. “This is the culmination of years of hard work and investment by our team and our partners in Missouri. We are grateful for the support we’ve received up to this point and look forward to the ongoing growth of this facility and the Principe Italia brand.”
Swift Prepared Foods announced plans to build a new facility in Columbia in April 2021 to meet increasing retail and food service demand for Italian meats and charcuterie. The company selected Columbia due to its strategic location, business-friendly environment, and ability to access raw materials and leverage synergies with existing strategic assets.
“Principe Italia’s growth is a testament to our state’s ability to attract investments that create jobs and strengthen communities,” said Maggie Kost, Acting Director of the Department of Economic Development. “This company’s new facility is great news for our state’s central region, its workers, and their families. We’re glad to support Principe Italia as it opens a new location in Columbia and creates more opportunities for Missourians in the area.”
Principe is a part of the Swift Prepared Foods portfolio of products. Swift also recently opened another new facility in Missouri. In May 2021, Swift cut the ribbon on a ready-to-eat, fully-cooked bacon production facility in Moberly.
Swift Prepared Foods’ investments in Missouri are consistent with JBS USA’s long-term strategy to increase its value-added and branded portfolio with innovative, on-trend products. Globally, JBS is a major player in the value-added, Italian meats category with significant production capabilities and recognized brands in Italy, Australia, and Brazil.
The Principe Foods facility is located at 5008 Paris Road in Columbia.
JBS USA is a leading global food company providing diversified, high-quality food products to customers in more than 100 countries on six continents. This includes meat, poultry, and seafood products, a portfolio of recognized brands, and innovative premium foods. Swift Prepared Foods is a consumer packaged goods company and a subsidiary of JBS USA. Principe Italia is part of the Swift Prepared Foods portfolio of products.
To learn more about JBS USA, visit the JBS Foods Group website.
