Sanitec, the parent company of Twyford Bathrooms, may be up for sale again.

Swedish private equity firm EQT has hired UBS to advise on the sale of
Finnish sanitaryware manufacturer in a deal that could be worth
as much as €1 billion, according to media reports.

It is speculated that Sanitec is likely to attract interest from other private equity owned bathroom products groups and trade rivals, including Ideal Standard, Grohe, Jacuzzi and Roca, although many industry experts have said takeover by a rival is unlikely

EQT will assess financial figures for the fourth quarter before launching a sales process in the spring, the reports suggest.

Sanitec is a leading producer of bathroom ceramics in Europe, and has historically grown both organically and through acquisitions. EQT acquired all shares in Sanitec in February 2005.

In 2009 Sanitec completed a full financial restructuring in which EQT remained a main shareholder with 77.5% ownership of the equity with lenders assuming 22.7%.

In 2010 net sales amounted to €777m and the group employs around 7,500 people.

The 20 production plants are situated in Europe, whereas the sales and marketing network operates globally. The head office is located in Helsinki, Finland.