São Paulo, April 30, 2019 – This Wednesday (24), Scott Technology, a New Zealand-based automation and robotics company controlled by JBS, has announced an agreement to acquire Normaclass, a French technology company that supplies an automated beef carcass grading system. As a leading supplier of this particular technology to beef processing plants in France and Uruguay, this acquisition will give Scott a foothold on these markets and showcase its portfolio of service and technology solutions.
The automated carcass grading system uses digital cameras that collect data from each animal and analyze it in real time using a software program which determines the price paid to producers using a range of criteria such as weight and market price.
“Normaclass will help us develop the beef industry using a proven product that will also assist our research and development efforts”, said Chris Hopkins, Scott CEO. “We expect demand for objective automated grading techniques to continue growing globally in the upcoming years, especially in exporter countries looking for more support for quality standards”, said the executive.
Scott is listed on the New Zealand stock exchange, and JBS Australia has owned a little over 50% of the company since the second half of 2015. In addition to Oceania, the company, which founded a little over a century ago, also has units in the United States, China and Europe and customers in more than 80 countries.
About Normaclass
Normaclass was founded in 1989. In 2001, Interbev became its majority shareholder in order to develop an efficient automated grading system for the French beef industry. The system uses digital cameras to collect data from each carcass while in motion on the production line. This data is analyzed in real time to provide a carcass classification that meets regulatory standards. Normaclass is the leading provider in the French meat industry with over 50 installations (approx. 75% market share) and is nearing completion on the roll out of 29 systems across Uruguay in partnership with the industry governing body, INAC (Instituto Nacional de Carnes).
About Scott
At Scott we automate the future. The production line machinery we design and build deliver productivity gains and exceptional reliability to many of the world’s leading manufacturers. We go a step beyond engineering production solutions to actually revolutionizing entire industries – using robotics to automate manual processes and create genuine competitive advantage. For over 100 years Scott has looked to tomorrow and rapidly responded to shifting needs. Today, we have production bases in the United States, Europe, China, Australia and New Zealand, customers in over 80 countries, and a real commitment to developing new technology and bringing it to market. Across everything we do you will discover true quality, advanced engineering and a renowned design aesthetic. Scott. Quality that lasts. Quality that inspires.
About JBS
JBS is one of the world’s leading food industry companies with approximately 230 thousand employees in 15 countries. The Company owns a portfolio of brands that are acknowledged for their excellence and innovation, including Friboi, Moy Park, Pilgrim’s Pride, Primo, Seara, Swift, Gold’n Plump and others, serving over 275,000 customers of more than 190 nationalities worldwide. The company’s focus on innovation also reflects its management approach to related businesses in areas such as leather, biodiesel, collagen, personal hygiene and cleaning products, natural wrappings, solid waste management solutions, metal packaging and transportation. JBS has adopted best sustainability practices throughout its value chain and constantly monitors its suppliers using satellite imagery, georeferenced maps of supplier farms and monitors official data from government agencies; the company also focuses on the highest possible food safety and quality standards. The success of JBS’s operations is closely tied to our Animal welfare practices, which are rigorously applied and have received an increasing share of investments to further improve the Company’s efforts in this area, in line with best practices.
JBS
Corporate Communications Department
+55 11 3144-7997 | 5364 | 4996
imprensa@jbs.com.br