As part of the integration with JBS US, Pilgrim's Pride has retrenched hundreds of corporate and administrative positions.

The organisation has eliminated approximately 230 jobs under the first phase of its integration with JBS-US, which acquired majority control of Pilgrim's Pride on December 28, 2009.

A total of 160 of the eliminated primarily salaried and salaried non-exempt positions are based at the company's headquarters in Pittsburg, Texas, US.  The remaining positions that are being eliminated came from dozen other sites, including Atlanta, Dallas and Broadway, Va.

There is no direct impact on Pilgrim's Pride's operations or production, as none of the positions being eliminated are production-related.

In addition, Pilgrim's Pride is moving forward with plans to consolidate most corporate functions at JBS-US headquarters in Greeley, Colorado. Both companies are evaluating the needs of their organisations and expect to finalise consolidation plans within the next three to six months.

Pilgrim's Pride operates chicken processing plants and prepared-foods facilities in 12 states, Puerto Rico and Mexico. The Company's primary distribution is through retailers and foodservice distributors.