Happy New Year from JBS!

First and foremost, I would like to wish you a happy and healthy new year. 2020 was a year none of us had experienced before and one I am sure we will not forget in a hurry. The Covid-19 pandemic unfortunately rolls on, compelling us to adapt and change course again at a time when we had hoped the direction of travel would be more positive.

Despite the disruption and challenges faced, in 2020 there were countless stories of communities pulling together and the collective awareness everyone felt for the health and wellbeing of their neighbours, friends, and colleagues, in addition to the rightful support of our key workers. I’m pleased and proud of the work JBS has undertaken globally to assist with funding medical equipment and facilities and food supply to those in need.

Although the pandemic initially posed significant risks of disruption within our supply chain, I am pleased to report that the business managed to keep product flowing globally and, whilst there were some pinch points, maintaining our excellent service to customers was a key priority.

The uncertainty around the outcome of the Brexit negotiations presented additional obstacles but the agreement struck now enables us to plan with more certainty and conviction. The strength of ones’ supply chain has never been so important and JBS Global remains well positioned with its UK and EU footprint. Our vertically integrated supply chain ensures goods flow to market virtually uninterrupted.

Despite these challenges, 2020 was also a year that business was able to give something back. As you will see from this month’s update, JBS funding has enabled the roll-out of improved Covid-19 testing, the donation of advanced test processing machines, and improvements to community medical facilities that will leave a lasting legacy.

Whilst we find ourselves still very much in the middle of pandemic, 2021 brings renewed hope as vaccination programmes are rolled out across the globe. JBS continues to look to the future to expand the work the company has undertaken in supporting local communities through the Good Deeds Are Good initiative and renewing our commitments to our sustainability agenda through the Together for the Amazon programme and our unfaltering focus on supply chain transparency. These initiatives are just the next step on our journey towards a greener, more sustainable future and 2021 will see further developments unveiled.

We look forward to working alongside you in these efforts and will continue to provide regular updates on the market and sustainability initiatives throughout the year via this newsletter. I wish you all the very best for the next year and trust it will bring promise, hope and good health.

Nick Sherwood
Managing Director, JBS Global (UK)