By Amy-Jo Crowley, Andres Gonzalez and Anousha Sakoui

LONDON (Reuters) – Johnson Controls International is considering selling its ADT alarm business as part of a move to shed some non-core businesses, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The New York-listed construction company’s subsidiary operates in Europe and Latin America and has already attracted interest from private equity funds, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity.

Preparations are at an early stage and a sales process could take place towards the end of the year, one of the people said.

Johnson Controls International shares rose following the news, trading at $61.81 at 14:37 GMT, up 1.7%.

The alarm systems division could be valued at less than $1 billion if sold, the person said. Johnson Controls does not disclose detailed financial figures for the division.

“We are constantly evaluating ways to improve our business and provide better service to our customers. However, we do not comment on rumors or market speculation,” a Johnson Control spokesman told Reuters.

The alarm systems business is part of the European and Latin American segment of Johnson’s Building Solutions, which reported a 3% increase in sales to $1.1 billion in the last quarter, according to its latest results.

The company’s adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased 29% to $89 million during the period.

Johnson Controls has sought to divest its heating and ventilation systems portfolio as part of its efforts to divest non-core businesses.

Reuters reported in March that industrial companies vying to buy these assets included Robert Bosch GmbH, Lennox International and Samsung Electronics.

Johnson Controls manufactures a range of devices and equipment for commercial buildings and private homes. Founded in 1885, the group took over the fire protection and security business after merging with Tyco International in 2016.

(Reporting by Andres Gonzalez, Amy-Jo Crowley and Anousha Sakoui; Editing by Emelia Sithole-Matarise)