Tomkins, the UK-listed engineering firm, could exit some commodity-based businesses in the automotive OE area, chief executive officer Jim Nicol said during 2006 interim results announcement today. He said he was generally happy with the shape of the business. However he continued that the primary focus was on technology-driven products, adding that this was the area where Tomkins can maintain margins with the customers. "I think, around the edges, there are some commodity-based businesses that we have, principally in the automotive OE area, which in due course we will to exit," he said. A person familiar with Tomkins and an analyst covering the company both agreed that private equity firms would be the most likely bidders for the segments which could include products areas like valving thermostatics, with the person familiar adding that potentially some North American and Asian strategic players might have a look. Tomkins reported EUR 3.182bn revenues in 2005.