Tyson Foods, the No. 1 U.S. meat processor, said on Tuesday it would buy packaged sandwich supplier AdvancePierre Foods for about $3.2 billion in cash, to expand its fast-growing portfolio of prepared food brands.
Demand for meat-based snacks has been growing as Americans shun candy and overly processed foods. This has led to a spurt in buyouts of meat snack makers in recent years, including chocolate maker Hershey's acquisition of Krave beef jerky and Conagra Brands' deal to buy Duke's meat snacks.
Tyson said AdvancePierre's product portfolio fits well with its strategy to expand its prepared food products.
AdvancePierre, whose shares hit a record high of $40.29, sells a variety of meat sandwiches and snacks through its Landshire and Barber Foods brands.
Tyson's prepared food brands such as Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm and Ball Park primarily make products such as pepperoni, bacon, hot dogs, pizza crusts and toppings.
The meat processor's offer of $40.25 per share is a 9.8 percent premium to AdvancePierre's Monday close. The deal, which has an enterprise value of about $4.2 billion, includes $1.1 billion of AdvancePierre debt.
The acquisition is expected to immediately add to Tyson's earnings per share on both a GAAP and cash basis, excluding one-time costs.
The deal, which is expected to close during Tyson's fiscal third quarter, will result in cost synergies of about $200 million, to be realized within three years.
Funds affiliated with investment manager Oaktree Capital Management LP, which own about 42 percent of AdvancePierre, have agreed to support the deal.
Tyson had said on Monday it was exploring a sale of its three non-protein brands, including Sara Lee Frozen Bakery, to sharpen its focus on its core businesses.
The company has tried to increase profit by selling more value-added items such as pre-seasoned products and heat-and-serve meals, which command higher margins than basic meats.
The three brands Sara Lee, the Kettle business and Van's sell items such as frozen desserts, waffles, breakfast bars and soups. Rothschild is acting as Tyson's financial adviser for the sale.
Morgan Stanley is advising Tyson, while Davis Polk & Wardwell is providing legal counsel for the AdvancePierre deal.
Credit Suisse Securities (USA) and Moelis are serving as financial advisers to AdvancePierre, while Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom is providing legal counsel.