BRITAIN'S largest automotive distributor, Partco, is coming to the

market in March through an offer which is likely to value the group at

around #50m.

It was bought out by its management, backed by the Bank of Scotland,

from Quinton Hazell in 1986 for #9.2m.

It claims about 6% of the components distribution sector with its

40,000 customers including Halford, Kwik-Fit, ATS, Lucas Autocentres,

National Tyre and Autocare. It is also an approved supplier to the

Ministry of Defence, BT, British Rail, the AA and Securicor.

The Northampton-based group operates around 200 branches throughout

the UK and has a central distribution warehouse at Weedon, near

Daventry. There are 15 Scottish outlets which managing director Peter

Redfern said are larger and more profitable than the majority.

Partco expects to have doubled pre-tax profits to #4.27m for 1993 on

sales 5% higher at #124m.

Proceeds from the issue will be some #25m which will halve gearing to

about 30% and leave the company well poised to expand both organically,

including new products, and through acquisition.

There are already a fair number of employee shareholders