Hillshire Brands

Van's International Foods agrees "all-natural" payout

13 Jul 2015

Tyson Foods unit Van's International Foods has agreed up to US$9m in settlement fees over a class lawsuit that alleged it "falsely advertised" products as natural when they "included a synthetic ingredient".

On the money: ConAgra private-label exit is about growth

1 Jul 2015

ConAgra Foods announced that it will sell off its loss-making private label business yesterday (30 June) in a move that, the company said, will help unlock value for its shareholders. But selling off private brands is about more than offloading an asset that is a challenging turnaround story. New CEO Sean Connolly insists it is about putting ConAgra back on the road to growth. Katy Askew reports.

Hillshire acquisition lifts Tyson results

5 May 2015

Tyson Foods reported higher first-half earnings on the back of a jump in revenue at its prepared foods unit, where sales were lifted by last year's acquisition of Hillshire Brands.

Comment: US legacy brands still have pulling power

18 Mar 2015

Up-and-coming categories and companies are increasingly setting the pace in the US food sector. Demand for natural, healthy, fresh and sustainable products is on the rise. This has left legacy brands facing slumping sales. But, as yesterday's Kraft Foods Group recall shows, there is still considerable interest in the old brands, Katy Askew suggests.

Briefing: Foodservice in the US - what the analysts say

3 Mar 2015

The US foodservice market is worth US$702bn and is set to experience growth of close to 4% this year, according to US consultants Technomic. With mainstream grocery retail stagnant, could the foodservice channel offer packaged food manufacturers a route to growth? We speak to four industry analysts in the US to see how they view the opportunity for manufacturers in the foodservice sector.

Editor's viewpoint: Upheaval in the US

16 Feb 2015

It was a bumper week of 2014 financial results, particularly from the US, but a flurry of announcements - including some surprise admissions - from across the pond on Thursday perhaps best served to underline the challenges facing mainstream food manufacturers in the country.

ConAgra names ex-Hillshire chief Connolly CEO

13 Feb 2015

Former Hillshire Brands chief executive Sean Connolly has been appointed the new CEO at ConAgra Foods.

Tyson hails "great" Q1 as sales, earnings rise

30 Jan 2015

Tyson Foods said it made a "great" start to the year, as sales and earnings rose in the wake of its acquisition of Hillshire Brands.

Food industry news of the week: MOM Brands, Krave jerky

30 Jan 2015

In the first of the week's big deals, Post announced the acquisition of MOM brands, a fellow US breakfast cereal manufacturer. Post said the buy would cement its position as the third-largest cereal maker in the US.

2014 in review: the year's most-read analysis on just-food

16 Dec 2014

Our analysis of the key developments and trends in emerging markets - both within the countries and how local companies are eyeing expansion - attracted your attention in 2014.

2014 in review: the year's most-read news stories on just-food

15 Dec 2014

The takeover battles for Chiquita Brands International and for Hillshire Brands were among the stories that grabbed your interest in 2014.

Tyson reopens fire-hit plant after eight months offline

5 Dec 2014

Tyson Foods has announced the re-opening of its turkey processing plant in Storm Lake, Iowa, after a fire saw it idled for eight months.

Focus: JBS sees big opportunity from Primo Smallgoods

21 Nov 2014

Brazil-based JBS is already the world's largest meat supplier but it has its sights on growing further in value-added products and in Asia - and has turned to a business in Australia to help it achieve that goal.

Tyson FY profits up, adjusted Q4 EPS beat expectations

17 Nov 2014

Tyson Foods has delivered an increase in annual sales and profits, with the year ending with underlying fourth-quarter earnings per share that beat analyst forecasts.

US: Watchdog orders Tyson sow unit sale to clear Hillshire deal

28 Aug 2014

Tyson Foods has agreed to sell its sow purchasing business in order to secure regulatory clearance of its acquisition of Hillshire Brands.

US: Aunt Jemima lawsuit "without merit", says PepsiCo

14 Aug 2014

PepsiCo has insisted a lawsuit over the Aunt Jemima brand seeking US$2bn in royalties is "without merit".

US: Hillshire posts strong results ahead of sale

14 Aug 2014

US food group Hillshire Brands, set to be taken over by meat giant Tyson Foods, has reported a year of increasing sales and profits.

US: Hillshire launches Naturals lunchmeat

5 Aug 2014

US food group Hillshire Brands is launching a line of "premium" all-natural lunchmeat.

US: Cost control helps Pilgrim's Pride profits

31 Jul 2014

US poultry processor Pilgrim's Pride has reported higher half-year profits as a lower cost of sales helped offset a dip in sales.

US: Hillshire Brands takes Jimmy Dean beyond breakfast

30 Jul 2014

Hillshire Brands has extended its Jimmy Dean line beyond the breakfast table with the launch of lunch and dinner offerings.

Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words

7 Jul 2014

This week, Treehouse Foods announced a deal to buy US private-label peer Flagstone Foods. In other M&A news in the US, Tyson Foods and Hillshire Brands finalised an agreement over a takeover of the Jimmy Dean meats manufacturer. Chinese firm Huaxia Dairy and ethnic foods supplier Shazans both announced expansion following investments in the companies. Elsewhere, Burton's Biscuit Co. was in hot water with union officials after announcing 64 jobs were to go at its Edinburgh site.

US: Tyson, Hillshire confirm takeover

2 Jul 2014

Tyson Foods and Hillshire Brands today (2 July) entered into a "definitive" agreement that will see the US meat processor acquire the maker of Jimmy Dean sausages for US$8.55bn.

US: Pinnacle to cut debt with Hillshire termination fee

1 Jul 2014

Pinnacle Foods plans to use the break-up fee it will receive from the termination of its proposed agreement to be sold to Hillshire Brands to lower its debts.

Comment: Increased competition could revitalise US frozen sector

18 Jun 2014

Sales in the frozen aisle have been lacklustre in the US for some years. However, increased competitive activity from the likes of Nestle, ConAgra Foods and Tyson Foods could help rejuvenate the sector, Katy Askew suggests.

US: Pilgrim's Pride still keen on M&A

17 Jun 2014

US poultry processor Pilgrim's Pride has confirmed it is still looking to make acquisitions after pulling out of the race to buy Jimmy Dean sausage maker Hillshire Brands.

Editor's choice: the highlights on just-food last week

16 Jun 2014

Free-from has been a focus for just-food this week. Growing awareness of dietary issues are propelling demand for free-from products from lifestylers and consumers with intolerances or allergies alike.

US: Pinnacle ups R&D capacity to support brands

12 Jun 2014

Pinnacle Foods has opened an R&D pilot plant at Rutgers University in a move it said would increase its R&D capacity, improve speed to market and advance its "mission" to "reinvigorate iconic brands".

In the spotlight: Tyson pays the piper to secure Hillshire

10 Jun 2014

Tyson Foods has won through in the bidding war to acquire Hillshire Brands with an improved US$63 per share offer for the for the Jimmy Dean maker. But, at 16.7x EBITDA, is the lofty price of US$8.55bn overly inflated? Katy Askew investigates.

US: Tyson unveils US$8.55bn Hillshire deal, Pilgrim's withdraws

9 Jun 2014

Tyson Foods has confirmed that, following the conclusion of a competitive bidding process, it has submitted a US$8.55bn binding offer to acquire Hillshire Brands.

US: Tyson "outbids Pilgrims" in battle for Hillshire

9 Jun 2014

Tyson Foods has reportedly raised its bid for Hillshire Brands, outbidding rival Pilgrim's Pride in the battle to take control of the Jimmy Dean maker.