Buyout firm KKR & Co LP (KKR.N) is preparing an initial public offering (IPO) of Gardner Denver Inc that could value the U.S. industrial machinery maker at between $6 billion and $7 billion including debt, according to people familiar with the matter.

Gardner Denver’s IPO would underscore the company’s recovery after energy prices edged up slightly last year. A plunge in oil and other commodity prices had hit its sales by reducing demand and capital expenditures by its energy and industrial customers.

Gardner Denver may register its IPO with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as early as next week, the people said on Friday. The IPO could then come later this year, the people added.

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