GERMAN engineering group Robert Bosch is weighing a bid for US appliances manufacturer Whirlpool, according to three people familiar with the matter, a move that would boost its position in the household appliances market.
Bosch has been talking to potential advisers about the possibility of making an offer for Whirlpool, which has a market capitalisation of about $4.8 billion (R87bn), one of the sources said.
The sources said it was not certain that an offer would be made, and asked not to be identified because the matter was confidential.
A Bosch spokesperson said the company did not comment on market rumours, while officials at Whirlpool were not immediately available for comment. The US company's shares jumped 20% in premarket trading after the Reuters report.
Buying one of the world's biggest white-goods manufacturers would significantly beef up Boschs home appliance business at a time when competition with Asian rivals is growing.
