NEW YORK (The Deal) --High-flying aircraft interiors manufacturer B/E Aerospace (BEAV) late Sunday said it has hired Citigroup and Shearman & Sterling to help it explore options, including a potential sale.

The surprise move, which included canceling B/E's scheduled Monday investor day, caught analysts and investors off-guard. Company chairman and CEO Amin Khoury weeks ago on a quarterly investor call implied B/E was looking to buy and not sell, saying it had signed letters of intent to acquire two manufacturing businesses.

Wellington, Fla.-based B/E, a maker of fasteners, seating and other equipment for commercial and business jets, said it would explore options including a possible sale of the company, a spin-off of select businesses and other moves, but gave few details.

The seemingly quick change in direction raises questions about whether B/E was recently approached by a potential suitor, or perhaps reacting to an activist investor who might want to change aspects of the business. Indeed, a split of B/E might be more likely than an outright takeover.

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B/E Aerospace Flies in New Direction, Explores Sale