KKR, Blackstone among PE firms eyeing windscreen repair group Cary

KKR, Blackstone, and Warburg Pincus are among several private equity firms considering a potential acquisition of European windscreen repair company Cary, according to Bloomberg. The firms were mentioned in a report, citing unnamed sources familiar with the situation. First-round bids for Cary are anticipated to be made in the near future, with the company currently under the ownership of CVC Capital Partners and Nordic Capital.

The business has the potential to be valued at €3 billion ($3.4 billion) or higher in a sale. CVC and Nordic have been examining various strategic options for Cary, including a possible exit, since the beginning of the year. Jefferies has been engaged to guide the process and has been in touch with banks and private credit providers to discuss financing possibilities for potential buyers, as per the sources.

Financial institutions are anticipated to engage in fierce competition with private credit lenders, possibly providing more favorable terms to secure the mandate. Recent mergers and acquisitions have demonstrated the rising rivalry between conventional lenders and private credit managers for leveraged buyout financing. The sale procedure is in its initial phase, and there is no assurance that all the companies contemplating Cary will ultimately submit bids.

The representatives of Blackstone, CVC, Nordic Capital, KKR, Jefferies, and Warburg Pincus did not provide any comments. Cary is an international windscreen repair company that operates in various European nations under brands like National Windscreens, Autoglass Clinic, Ralarsa, and Dansk Busglas. Its Nordic operations also include vehicle bodywork and SMART repairs, which concentrate on minor areas of vehicle damage.