We are a global leader in private equity. During the last three decades, KKR has managed and sponsored 14 private equity funds that have received capital commitments of more than $59.9 billion as of June 30, 2008.

Private Equity — Public Benefit

In recent years, the global growth of private equity has captured more and more public interest. Such interest is understandable. Funds managed by KKR and other private equity investors play significant roles in the financial markets, own portfolio companies that employ large numbers of people, and invest on behalf of public and private pension plans that have millions of individual beneficiaries. At KKR, we take great pride in the accomplishments we’ve made over the last three decades, and believe our investments have had a positive impact on our portfolio companies, their stakeholders, and the economies in which we operate.

Our approach  is to work as partners with the management of our portfolio companies and remain deeply involved in the operations of our businesses. In this way, we help build globally competitive franchises, many of which have increased employment, innovation, and research and development during our ownership. The key beneficiaries of our investments are people who receive support from pension funds, endowments, and foundations — which provide the majority of the capital for our funds. More than 20 state and local public pension plans, representing nearly 9 million members, have committed nearly one-half of the capital raised for our recent funds.

As a global leader in private equity investing, our achievements to date include the first leveraged buyout in excess of $1 billion, several of the largest buyouts in history, the first friendly tender offer in the buyout of a public company, and the largest completed or announced buyouts in the United States, the Netherlands, Denmark, India, Australia, Turkey, Singapore, and France.

Increasing Scale, Going Global
During the last few years, private equity has been increasing in scale, and has become more global. In fact, it has gained acceptance in European and Asian economies in ways that few could have imagined when KKR was founded in 1976. The growth in international trade, large increases in financial flows, and the technology breakthroughs that are shrinking our world have led to higher living standards in developed and developing countries. These same forces have created opportunities for KKR to invest outside of the U.S.  — and we have capitalized on these opportunities. In economies around the world, there is increasing awareness of the economic and social benefits of private equity. When private equity deal flow reached a critical mass in the U.K., and other European countries, we opened a London office. In 2005 our analysis of private equity opportunities in Asia convinced us to establish a presence in the region, with offices in Hong Kong, Tokyo, Beijing, Paris, and Sydney.

 

Our Approach

KKR invests its own and its investors’ equity dollars and borrows money for the friendly acquisition of a company.

Our Portfolio

Our current private equity portfolio consists of more than 51 companies in a range of industries in the U.S., Europe, and Asia.