Jack Link's Beef Jerky said Monday that it has agreed to buy a meat snacks manufacturing plant in Mankato, allowing it to increase production capacity to meet growing demand.

Minong, Wis.-based Jack Link's is buying a plant owned by JBS S.A., a large Brazilian meat producer. Terms weren't disclosed.

The Mankato plant, which employs 85 people, currently makes meat snacks under the Pioneer brand and private labels.

Jack Link's also said it's forming a joint venture with JBS to operate two manufacturing plants in Brazil. With the new capacity, Jack Link's will have meat snack production at 12 plants worldwide.

MIKE HUGHLETT