JBS Dinmore announces $77m expansion, 500 new jobs

One of the South East’s largest employers has promised up to 500 new jobs as it pumps $77 million into the company.

Ipswich's largest employer has announced a massive boost to local jobs with 500 new positions opening up next year as part of a major investment.

JBS Dinmore, which processes more than 10 per cent of the country’s beef and is one of the region’s largest employers, announced the $77 million investment on Wednesday morning, September 27.

The expanded plant would incorporate a new “second shift” in the first half of 2024 which would increase its total staffing to more than 1800 people.

The entrance to the JBS Australia's Dinmore meatworks facility, where an additional 500+ were today announced. Picture:AAP/Dan Peled

The development would involve the expansion of the plant’s chiller capacity, as well as improvements to various equipment to bolster capacity, reliability and food safety.

JBS Dinmore also planned to launch a flexible work initiative as part of the recruitment drive for the 500 jobs, in partnership with local high schools.

The intention was to provide school-based traineeships and partnerships.

The plant would hire a variety of specialists from boners, slicers and butchers to electricians, fitters and other labourers.

Federal MP for Blair, Shayne Neumann, and Mayor Teresa Harding, praised the commitment to the region.

Cr Harding said she was excited to see more locals working at an iconic local company.

Today's announcement of 500+ jobs at JBS Dinmore was attended by Mayor Teresa Harding, Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann MP, State Member for Bundamba Lance McCallum MP and CEO of JBS Australia Brent Eastwood.

“As mayor of this city, one of my priorities is to see Ipswich residents finding great jobs locally rather than travelling into Brisbane for work each day,” she said.

Shayne Neumann said he began his working life at the plant while a student at Bundamba State High School and many of his relatives also worked at the plant.

He further revealed he hoped to facilitate a round table between local school principals and JBS in order to ensure as many young residents as possible could take advantage of the new employment opportunities.

CEO of JBS Australia Brent Eastwood said the announcement had come at the right time and showed a great deal of faith in the facility’s capabilities.

Murray Wilson, Plant Manager JBS Dinmore and CEO of JBS Australia, Brent Eastwood.

“You spend that much money on one facility, you have to be confident you will see the return on that,” he said.

“We believe the market overseas will get back to a more normalised number for Australian beef.”

“The cycles are turning in the US and we have an opportunity as a country to win back market share, so we believe it’s the right time.

“We are entering into a challenging market or environment in Australian with the drought, the forecast for dry conditions for some time, so it’s important that we have all of our facilities as ready as we can to process that livestock as it comes to market.”

Mr Eastwood said the company preferred to hire locals but would supplement them with foreign workers, specifically through the Pan Pacific Labour Scheme, which has worked well for the company Australia-wide.

A spokesman for the company said that they encouraged staff at other facilities, like the Rockhampton plant to apply to shift to the region.

“As a business JBS encourages movement across all its plants, be it for professional development and/or if a staff member is interested in moving to a new region or site.”