EX-5.1 4 d366141dex51.htm OPINION OF SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP Opinion of Sidley Austin LLP

Exhibit 5.1

 

LOGO

 

SIDLEY AUSTIN LLP

ONE SOUTH DEARBORN STREET      

CHICAGO, IL 60603

(312) 853 7000

(312) 853 7036 FAX

  BEIJING

BRUSSELS

CHICAGO

DALLAS

FRANKFURT

GENEVA

HONG KONG

HOUSTON

LONDON

   LOS ANGELES

NEW YORK

PALO ALTO

SAN FRANCISCO

SHANGHAI

SINGAPORE

SYDNEY

TOKYO

WASHINGTON, D.C.

 
    FOUNDED 1866

June 13, 2012

Tyson Foods, Inc.

2200 Don Tyson Parkway

Springdale, Arkansas 72762-6999

Re:

Registration Statement on Form S-3

Ladies and Gentlemen:

We refer to the Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 333-181918 (the “Registration Statement”) filed by Tyson Foods, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the “Company”), and certain subsidiaries of the Company set forth in the Registration Statement (collectively, the “Subsidiary Guarantors” and, together with the Company, the “Obligors”) with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), which Registration Statement became effective upon filing pursuant to Rule 462(e) under the Securities Act. Pursuant to the Registration Statement, (i) the Company is issuing $1,000,000,000 aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 4.500% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Notes”); and (ii) the Subsidiary Guarantors are providing guarantees of the Notes (the “Guarantees” and, together with the Notes, the “Securities”). The Securities are being issued under an Indenture dated as of June 1, 1995 (the “Base Indenture”) between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as successor trustee (the “Trustee”) to JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (formerly The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A.), the original trustee, as supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture dated June 13, 2012 (the “Supplemental Indenture”) among the Obligors and the Trustee. The Base Indenture as supplemented by the Supplemental Indenture is hereinafter referred to as the “Indenture.” The Securities are to be sold by the Obligors pursuant to an underwriting agreement dated June 6, 2012 (the “Underwriting Agreement”) among the Obligors and the Underwriters named therein. We refer herein to the Subsidiary Guarantors listed on Annex 1 hereto, each of which is formed or organized under the laws of the States of Delaware, Illinois, New York or Texas, as the “Specified Subsidiary Guarantors.”

This opinion letter is being delivered in accordance with the requirements of Item 601(b)(5) of Regulation S-K under the Securities Act.

Sidley Austin LLP is a limited liability partnership practicing in affiliation with other Sidley Austin partnerships.


LOGO

June 13, 2012

Page 2

 

We have examined the Registration Statement, the Indenture, the Underwriting Agreement, the resolutions adopted by the board of directors of the Company (the “Board”) relating to the Registration Statement, the Indenture, the Underwriting Agreement and the issuance of the Notes by the Company and resolutions of the board of directors or managers or sole member, as applicable, of each of the Specified Subsidiary Guarantors relating to the Registration Statement, the Supplemental Indenture, the Underwriting Agreement and the creation and issuance of the Guarantee by such Specified Subsidiary Guarantor. We have also examined originals, or copies of originals certified to our satisfaction, of such agreements, documents, certificates and statements of the Company and the Specified Subsidiary Guarantors and other corporate or limited liability company documents and instruments, and have examined such questions of law, as we have considered relevant and necessary as a basis for this opinion letter. We have assumed the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all persons and the conformity with the original documents of any copies thereof submitted to us for examination. As to facts relevant to the opinions expressed herein, we have relied without independent investigation or verification upon, and assumed the accuracy and completeness of, certificates, letters and oral and written statements and representations of public officials and officers and other representatives of the Company and the Specified Subsidiary Guarantors.

Based on and subject to the foregoing and the other limitations, qualifications and assumptions set forth herein, we are of the opinion that:

 

  1. The Notes will constitute valid and binding obligations of the Company when the Notes are duly executed by duly authorized officers of the Company and duly authenticated by the Trustee, all in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, and delivered to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement.

 

  2. The Guarantee by each Subsidiary Guarantor will constitute the valid and binding obligation of such Subsidiary Guarantor when the Notes are duly executed by duly authorized officers of the Company and duly authenticated by the Trustee, all in accordance with the provisions of the Indenture, and delivered to the purchasers thereof against payment of the agreed consideration therefor in accordance with the Underwriting Agreement.

With respect to each instrument or agreement referred to in or otherwise relevant to the opinions set forth herein (each, an “Instrument”), we have assumed, to the extent relevant to the opinions set forth herein, that (i) each party to such Instrument (if not a natural person) was duly organized or formed, as the case may be, and was at all relevant times and is validly existing and in good standing under the laws of its jurisdiction of organization or formation, as the case may


LOGO

June 13, 2012

Page 3

 

be, and had at all relevant times and has full right, power and authority to execute, deliver and perform its obligations under such Instrument; (ii) such Instrument has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by each party thereto; and (iii) such Instrument was at all relevant times and is a valid, binding and enforceable agreement or obligation, as the case may be, of, each party thereto; provided that (x) we make no such assumption in clause (i) and (ii) insofar as it relates to the Company or any Specified Subsidiary Guarantor (except as otherwise set forth herein) and (y) we make no such assumption in clause (iii) insofar as it relates to the Company or any Subsidiary Guarantor and is expressly covered by our opinions set forth herein.

Our opinion is subject to bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium, fraudulent conveyance, fraudulent transfer and other similar laws relating to or affecting creditors’ rights generally and to general equitable principles (regardless of whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law), including concepts of commercial reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing and the possible unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief. Our opinion is also subject to (i) provisions of law which may require that a judgment for money damages rendered by a court in the United States of America be expressed only in United States dollars, (ii) requirements that a claim with respect to any Notes or other obligations that are denominated or payable other than in United States dollars (or a judgment denominated or payable other than in United States dollars in respect of such claim) be converted into United States dollars at a rate of exchange prevailing on a date determined pursuant to applicable law and (iii) governmental authority to limit, delay or prohibit the making of payments outside of the United States of America or in a foreign currency.

This opinion letter is limited to the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, the Delaware Limited Liability Company Act, the Business Corporation Act of the State of Illinois, the Texas Business Organizations Code and the laws of the State of New York (excluding the securities laws of the State of New York). We express no opinion as to the laws, rules or regulations of any other jurisdiction, including, without limitation, the federal laws of the United States of America or any state securities or blue sky laws.

We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion letter as an Exhibit to the Registration Statement and to all references to our Firm included in or made a part of the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not thereby admit that we are in the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Securities Act.

Very truly yours,

/s/ Sidley Austin LLP


Annex 1

Specified Subsidiary Guarantors

 

1. Texas Transfer, Inc.
2. The Bruss Company
3. Wilton Foods, Inc.
4. CBFA Management Corp.
5. Cobb-Vantress, Inc.
6. DFG Foods, Inc.
7. Foodbrands America, Inc.
8. Foodbrands Supply Chain Services, Inc.
9. Global Employment Services, Inc.
10. IBP Foodservice, L.L.C.
11. Madison Foods, Inc.
12. National Comp Care Inc.
13. New Canada Holdings, Inc.
14. Oaklawn Capital Corporation
15. PBX, inc.
16. Rural Energy Systems, Inc.
17. The IBP Foods Co.
18. The Pork Group, Inc.
19. TyNet Corporation
20. Tyson Breeders, Inc.
21. Tyson Chicken, Inc.
22. Tyson Deli, Inc.
23. Tyson Fresh Meats, Inc.
24. Tyson Hog Markets, Inc.
25. Tyson International Holding Company
26. Tyson International Service Center, Inc.
27. Tyson International Service Center, Inc. Asia
28. Tyson International Service Center, Inc. Europe
29. Tyson Mexican Original, Inc.
30. Tyson of Wisconsin, LLC
31. Tyson Pet Products, Inc.
32. Tyson Poultry, Inc.
33. Tyson Prepared Foods, Inc.
34. Tyson Processing Services, Inc.
35. Tyson Receivables Corporation
36. Tyson Refrigerated Processed Meats, Inc.
37. Tyson Sales and Distribution, Inc.
38. Tyson Service Center Corp.
39. Tyson Shared Services, Inc.
40. WBA Analytical Laboratories, Inc.
41. Zemco Industries, Inc.

Annex 1-1