The private equity backer of Six Nations Rugby is drawing up plans for a £1.5bn bid for Audiotonix, the British-based manufacturer of equipment used by bands such as Coldplay.

Sky News has learnt that CVC Capital Partners is among the private equity firms examining offers for the Chessington-based company.

On Thursday, City sources said that Cinven, another sizeable buyout firm, is also preparing to lodge a bid as part of a formal sale process.

Audiotonix, which makes professional audio consoles, is expected to be valued at between £1.5bn and £2bn, according to bankers.

Ardian, the French buyout firm which owns a stake in Audiotonix, is in the process of initiating a sale process by hiring bankers to advise on it, Sky News reported last month.

Audiotonix’s equipment has been used by bands including Coldplay and U2 during their global tours.

It is estimated to have a 30% market share across roughly 90 countries, with brands including DiGiCo, Allen & Heath and Solid State Logic.

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Calrec, another Audiotonix brand, mixed sound that was broadcast to a broadcast audience of millions from the late Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee concert in 2022.

Acquired by Ardian in 2019, from Astorg, another private equity firm, Audiotonix was founded in 2014.

The company has since been backed by a succession of investors, including Livingbridge and Epiris.

It makes both hardware and software, and employs more than 200 engineers focused on research and development.

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CVC and Cinven declined to comment.

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