British Car Auctions (BCA) is working towards a stock market flotation that will value the business at around £1.2 billion.

The auction business is hoping to raise around £200 million via the initial public offering. It said that it will use the float proceeds to repay debt and other borrowings.

The Blackbushe-based remarketing company, which is owned by private equity firm Clayton Dubilier & Rice (CDR), aims to become a listed company by the start of next month.

It is expected that CDR will sell a portion of its stake in the listing, meaning the number of shares in publicly traded hands will likely be higher than the 25% required by UK listing rules.

John Olsen, the chief executive of BCA, said: “The IPO of BCA is a natural development for our business and will provide us with the right ownership base to continue to deliver on our strategic ambition.

“Our strong trading performance so far this year, with continuing growth in our Vehicle Remarketing Division and Vehicle Buying Division, is further evidence of our progress.

“Everyone at BCA is very excited by the opportunities ahead of us as we continue to grow the business in the 13 markets in which we already operate and into new territories.”

The group's revenues have increased by 7% over the last three years to £442.3m while its adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation have grown 27% to £62.5m, including the acquisition of Webuyanycar in August 2013.

The company will publish detailed financial results for the year in its upcoming shareholder prospectus.

Fred Kindle, the chairman of BCA and a partner at CDR, said: “BCA is a truly impressive international business, driven by a committed, dedicated, entrepreneurial management team and backed by supportive shareholders.

“I have been impressed by the significant growth that BCA has delivered as a private company, but there is much more to come."

JP Morgan, UBS, HSC, Jefferies, and Numis are running the listing process with Rothschild and Linklaters acting as advisers to BCA.

BCA was bought by Clayton Dubilier & Rice in 2009 for around £400m.

 

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