Brazilian food maker JBS SA (JBSS3.SA), the world’s largest beef processor, plans to launch shares of its subsidiary JBS Foods International B.V. in the United States in the first half of 2017 as a part of a larger reorganization, the company said on Monday.
Under the plan, the unit currently based in the Netherlands would be responsible for managing all of the company’s international operations, with parent company JBS SA maintaining management of beef operations in Brazil.
It is the second time JBS SA has tried to reorganize its operations by moving management of international businesses to another country. The company scrapped a plan to move its headquarters to Ireland in October after opposition from BNDES Participações SA, the investment arm of Brazil’s development bank, who is a major shareholder.
“The company believes the new proposed structure and the IPO plan will reflect its global production platform, its product portfolio and the large international client base,” the firm in a filing to the Brazilian market regulator.
Batista, currently chief executive officer of JBS SA, said at the time of the unsuccessful headquarter move to Ireland that the company had other options to change its structure, including a possible U.S. listing.
JBS said it planned to conclude the share offering in the first semester of 2017 but had yet to define how many shares it would offer and at what price.
The company is expected to give more details regarding the reorganization during a call with investors and analysts on Tuesday.
JBS currently manages more than 200 production facilities around the world, marketing products under brands such as Swift, Friboi, Seara, Pilgrim’s Pride, Gold Kist Farms, Pierce, 1855, Primo and Beehive.
The company reported total revenues of 163 billion reais in 2015 ($47.6 billion).
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Source: Reuters.com
