JBS Northern Chief Operating Officer Brendan Tatt, State Member for Rockhampton and Assistant Minister, Donna Kirkland, JBS Rockhampton Plant Manager Anthony Milzewski, Rockhampton Mayor Tony Williams
JBS Australia has held a ceremony this week at the company’s Rockhampton beef processing facility, marking 60 years of operation.
Established in 1965 and strategically located in the heart of Australia’s Beef Capital, the Rockhampton plant has grown into a world-class processing hub that today employs 565 people, processes up to 700 head of cattle per day and enjoys long-standing partnerships with producers and the local community.
The plant produces a diverse range of beef programs – all of which proudly display the facility’s unique ‘Establishment 384’ AusMeat identifier on the packaging.
JBS Rockhampton produces a suite of brands that are sold to customers around the world. The brand portfolio consists of grainfed programs such as AMH White and Royal, with grassfed brands including the Certified Organic brand Acres Organic, a natural grassfed program Right to Roam, and the heritage brand AMH.
The JBS Rockhampton and JBS livestock teams work hand in hand with local producer partners to source quality grassfed and grainfed cattle to supply beef to Australian and global markets.
Since the gates first opened 60 years ago, the Rockhampton plant has continuously evolved in line with advances in technology and market, industry and customer expectations.
In 2022, the site pioneered water-saving technology including automated water sensors that saved 14 Olympic swimming pools of water annually, and a dual-knife steriliser system that saved 1825 kL of water per year.
True to its roots, the Rockhampton team celebrated the plant’s 60th anniversary with a barbecue befitting a beef icon. Among those celebrating were long-serving team members including Donna Shultz (30 years) and the Marsh Brothers (40 years each) -Tony, Robert, and Paul – who between them have more than 150 years of service.
JBS Australia CEO Brent Eastwood said the Rockhampton facility was an iconic part of the company’s history and future.
“For 60 years, this facility has been a cornerstone of our Northern Division and a vital contributor to the local economy and global beef markets,” he told this week’s occasion.
“The dedication of our team, the trust of our producer partners, and the support of the Rockhampton community have been key to this success. We’re committed to continuing this legacy of quality, innovation and sustainability for decades to come.”
JBS Northern Chief Operating Officer Brendan Tatt said after six decades of building a strong reputation in the industry and community, the Rockhampton plant was recognised as a cornerstone of JBS Australia’s Northern Division.
“Over 60 years we’ve grown into a facility that stands at the forefront of innovation, sustainability and supply-chain partnerships,” Mr Tatt said.
“This is a milestone that honours past generations and energises our ambition for the next decade.”
JBS Rockhampton Plant Manager Anthony Milzewski said the anniversary highlighted the hard work and dedication of every team member, past and present, and the trust built with local livestock producers and communities across the Rockhampton region.
“It’s humbling to reflect on everything we’ve achieved in 60 years and how much the industry has changed and grown. It’s exciting to imagine what the next 60 years will look like.
“We’re proud to operate in the heart of the Aussie Beef Capital and make a positive contribution – whether through employment opportunities, community support, or by putting quality, top-tasting beef on people’s dinner tables each night.”
State Member for Rockhampton and Assistant Minister, Donna Kirkland said the anniversary solidified JBS’s position as a world-class processing hub in the heart of Australia’s Beef Capital.
“JBS plays an integral part in our primary industries prosperity and industry economy both locally and across the State.”
Rockhampton Mayor Tony Williams said JBS Rockhampton had been an integral part of the community for 60 years, supporting hundreds of local jobs, partnering with producers and helping showcase the strength and quality of our regional beef industry on the global stage.
“This anniversary is not just a celebration for the company, but for all the people who have contributed to its success over six decades and kept Rockhampton at the heart of Australia’s beef industry.
“As someone who once worked in a meatworks myself, I know first hand the dedication and hard work that goes into this industry. On behalf of the Rockhampton Regional Council, I congratulate JBS on this remarkable milestone and thank the team for their continued investment in our region’s future.”
Click here to view a video about the JBS Rockhampton facility:
Congratulations to the whole JBS Rockhampton team, I was fortunate to have been a staff member through the transition from AMH to JBS, I enjoyed working with both companies and have great memories of the ten years I spent there.
Congratulations to Anthony Milzewski, I remember kitting him out on his first day at AMH as a fresh faced young man, and because of his dedication to his work he has worked his way through the levels to Plant Manager.
People who work for JBS can have a job for life if they show their potential.
Special mention also to Donna, Tony, Robert and Paul, it's people like you who make JBS a special place.
Congratulations to Brendan, Anthony and your team at Lakes Creek for 60 years of serving cattle producers in central Queensland with a reliable cattle kill. It wasn’t always that way.
Almost 40 years ago, AMH assumed management of this TA Field abattoir. I was then CEO of AMH. Almost immediately we embarked on an extended strike to provide more flexible and certain income for those employees seeking to continue their careers at Lakes Creek. Cattle producers complained to us about their inability to book cattle for kill due to the regular days off the shed took at the behest of the central Queensland AMIEU branch. Thugs were controlling the line and dealing cruelly with any dissent.
The strike lasted months and we were able to offer employment to those known to our supervisors to be genuine and committed people ready to operate under fair terms of employment. We slowly pushed cattle up the kill floor in view of those pickets outside the gate. Under the Mudginberri Decision, police assisted employees through the picket line. It was a tough and personal fight. Eventually, with the help of the local paper, we secured the continued operation of Lakes Creek.
Never again were days lost at the abattoir and all stakeholders enjoyed greatly improved relationships with your business. There was one man who assisted in finding resolution to the dispute and who should be remembered by your team. Unfortunately, John Hughes has since passed, but his life work changed forever the conditions of work in the red meat industries. Vale John Hughes.
We failed to offer employment to about 50 of those who previously worked at Lakes Creek. They were the agitators and strong-arm thugs who controlled the shed before AMH purchased Lakes Creek. I heard some of them picked up jobs down the road at Angliss.
It was heady times and AMH was ready to push the abattoir into the sea if the dispute was not resolved to everyone’s benefit. So, enjoy your celebrations but remember those on whose shoulders you work. Best wishes to all.
<strong>We wrote <a href="https://dev.beefcentral.com/news/vale-john-jack-hughes/" rel="ugc">this tribute</a> to John Hughes at the time of his passing in 2021, John. A truly unique character in the Australian mean processing industry. Editor</strong>