The North American meat-focused division of Sara Lee will attract acquisition bids when the company spins off its Europe-based coffee-and-tea division in the future.
The new company, which is to be named Hillshire Brands, is expected to attract takeover bids from several food companies such as Hormel Foods, Tyson Foods, Brasil Foods, JBS, and Smithfield Foods, according to analysts.
Top contenders for the acquisition include Tyson and Hormel, due to their strategic plans as well as lower debt burden.
In January 2011, Sara Lee announced its plans to divide the company into two publicly traded companies, one focused on the international coffee and tea business and the other one focused on North American meat brands.
In line with the announcement, in March, Sara Lee noted that it expects to spin off its international coffee and tea business by the end of June 2012.