On Tuesday 25 November 2025 JBS Couros and the VIVA group announced a major move as they teamed up to form a new leather company called JBS VIVA. Reuters reports that this partnership amounts to a merger of the leather divisions of both companies.
JBS VIVA brings together 31 factories and over 11,000 workers across Brazil, Italy, Uruguay, Argentina, Mexico and Vietnam and is expected to dominate the global market with plans to process over 20 million hides each year.
The new company will handle leather processing and sales for some of the toughest markets in the world which is expected to boost its global reach & competitiveness.
“The union with VIVA opens up new opportunities for all more than 7000 JBS Couros employees who are now part of an even more robust business prepared to compete globally. JBS VIVA means the union of more than 70 years of experience and international recognition”
– Gilberto Tomazoni, Global CEO, JBS
JBS Couros has always focused on adding value through innovation. Over the years it launched more than 2000 SKUs with different textures colors & designs to match fast changing fashion trends.
“We are very proud of what we have built over these years by expanding markets investing in research & development and redefining the industry’s sustainability standard. Now with the creation of JBS VIVA we will be able to take this excellence to an even higher level”
– Gilberto Tomazoni, Global CEO, JBS
The ownership of the new company will be split 50% each between JBS and the VIVA group which includes shareholders Vanz and Viposa.
Both sides will have equal seats on the board. JBS will nominate the chairman & CFO while VIVA will choose the CEO & COO. The deal still needs regulatory approval before it becomes official.
“The leather chain remains strategic reinforcing JBS’s vision that sustainability & profitability go together. Leather a natural co-product of the bovine protein chain takes on new life when transformed into a wide range of products footwear & casing bags for automobiles & furniture”
– Guilherme Motta, Leader, JBS Couros
In simple terms JBS VIVA is looking to reshape the global leather market by combining deep experience strong production scale & a clear focus on sustainability. It marks a major step for both companies as they prepare for tougher global competition.
