AUTO Windscreens has been put up for sale by its parent company Heywood Williams Group plc, which is looking to fund a major acquisition. Chesterfield-based Auto Windscreens is the second largest automotive glass replacement business in the UK with a market share of around 25%, and has its own manufacturing plant where it makes over half the laminated screens it fits.

The company has 150 retail sites and runs a fleet of 800 mobile fitting vehicles. Last year it made profits of more than £5 million on a turnover in excess of £70 million. Analysts valued the company at more than £60 million.

Likely bidders in the public auction for the company include fast fit tyre specialists such as Kwik-Fit and ATS, insurance companies, franchised dealer groups, breakdown and recovery operators such as the AA and RAC, and glass manufacturers.