Tyson Buys Packaged Sandwich Maker for $3.2 Billion

And the company might sell its Sara Lee frozen bakery business.

Tyson Foods Inc. will pay $3.2 billion to add packaged sandwich maker AdvancePierre to its portfolio of processed and prepared food units. The move to buy AdvancePierre comes as Tyson focuses more on “protein-packed brands”.
Tyson Foods Inc. will pay $3.2 billion to add packaged sandwich maker AdvancePierre to its portfolio of processed and prepared food units. The move to buy AdvancePierre comes as Tyson focuses more on “protein-packed brands”.
AP Photo/Toby Talbot, File

NEW YORK (AP) — Tyson Foods will pay $3.2 billion to add packaged sandwich maker AdvancePierre to its stable of processed food brands.

Tyson will pay $40.25 per share, a 9.8 percent premium to AdvancePierre's closing share price Monday.

Tyson Foods Inc. will also assume about $1.1 billion in debt from the Blue Ash, Ohio, company.

The deal is expected to close in the third quarter.

Tyson is shifting its portfolio to incorporate a heavier emphasis on proteins. On Monday, Tyson said that it might sell its Sara Lee frozen bakery business, its Kettle brand and Van's.

Tyson, based in Springdale, Arkansas, owns the Jimmy Dean and Ball Park brands.

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