If speculation turns to action, it could be a busy month for
It is suggested that Cinven has the financial backing of
Iliad, which owns ISP Free among other activities, had sales of €950.2m in 2006, a rise of 31% from the year before. At the same time there is talk that
The potential bid is apparently in its early stages and no approach has yet been made to Wolseley’s chief executive, Chip Hornsby. The report added that Cinven’s plan includes finding a partner for the bid so Wolseley can be broken up. Cinven would take over the UK and European operations, while any partner would take control of Wolseley’s American business.