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KKR

OVERALL

Owned
USA
Rating
Criticisms

Private equity firm

One of the world's largest private equity firms. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange in 2010. Acquired Unilever's spreads business in 2017 for 6.83bn euros. Acquired Campbell Soup Co's international operations (including Arnott's) in 2019.

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co LP   USA     website         twitter

> About the Ratings

Company Assessment

PRAISE CRITICISM INFORMATION
Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co LP
Social 100% on Corporate Equality Index
This company is listed as having best practice on a report card on lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender equality in corporate America.
Source: Human Rights Campaign (2021)
Environment 0% in Forest 500 Rankings
Forest 500 identifies the 350 companies and 150 financial institutions with the greatest exposure to tropical deforestation risk, and annually assesses them on the strength and implementation of their deforestation and human rights commitments. This financial institution received a score of 0%.
Source: Forest 500 (2021)
Social Pillaging American retail
In 2005, Toys "R" Us was purchased in a US$6.6 billion leveraged buyout by private equity firms Bain Capital, KKR, and Vornado Realty Trust. While Toys "R" Us' revenues remained steady over the next 13 years - US$11.1 billion in sales in 2017 - the retailer was saddled with debt it couldn't repay. By 2007, 97% of the company's operating income was consumed by interest, which left the company unable to upgrade technology or evolve its business model. The heavy debt load eventually led Toy "R" Us to file for bankruptcy in 2018. The company liquidated in June of 2018 and closed their remaining 800 stores. Over 33,000 employees of the company lost their jobs and their severance payments in bankruptcy court. The PE companies controlling the Toys "R" Us bankruptcy refused buyers that would have saved thousands of jobs and instead chose liquidation to maximize the financial extraction. The private equity firms that owned Toys "R" Us collected more than $470 million in fees and interest from the retailer over the ownership period, while a total of 64,000 jobs were lost.
Source: United 4 Respect (2019)
Business Ethics Breach of fiduciary duty
On 29 June 2015 the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission charged this company with misallocating more than US$17m in 'broken deal' expenses to its flagship private equity funds in breach of its fiduciary duty. KKR agreed to pay nearly US$30m to settle the charges, including a penalty of US$10m.
Source: US SEC (2015)
Business Ethics Collusion lawsuit
In 2014, this company, together with other private equity firms Blackstone and TPG, agreed to pay US$325m to settle a lawsuit that accused seven private equity groups of conspiring to fix the prices of some of the world's biggest leveraged buyouts.
Source: Financial Times (2014)
Business Ethics 26/100 S&P Global ESG Score
This company received an S&P Global ESG Score of 26/100 in the Diversified Financial Services and Capital Markets category of the S&P Global Corporate Sustainability Assessment, an annual evaluation of companies' sustainability practices (last updated 23 Sep 2022). The rankings are based on an analysis of corporate economic, environmental and social performance, assessing issues such as corporate governance, risk management, environmental reporting, climate strategy, human rights and labour practices.
Source: S&P Global (2022)
Business Ethics 41.9/125 at JUST Capital
JUST Capital polls Americans every year to identify the issues that matter most in defining just business behaviour. For their 2023 rankings JUST Capital asked a representative sample of 3,002 Americans to compare 20 different business Issues on a head-to-head basis, producing a reliable hierarchy of Issues ranked in order of priority. Issues are organised under the headings Workers, Customers, Communities, the Environment, or Shareholders & Governance. JUST Capital then define metrics that map to those issues and track and analyse the largest, publicly traded U.S. companies. This analysis powers their rankings, in which this company ranked 716th of 951 companies, and 30th of 34 Capital Markets companies.
Source: JUST Capital (2023)
Social Sweatshops in China
This investigative report by China Labour Watch reveals how KKR turns a blind eye to the human impact of the massive production outsourced by Dollar General and other companies in its portfolio. CLW Executive Director Li Qiang states that DG has 'the worst labor performance in China of all major US retailers'. [Listed under Information due to age of report]
Source: China Labor Watch (2009)
Business Ethics 10.0% in Newsweek Green Rankings 2016
This company received a score of 10/100 in the Newsweek Green Rankings 2016, which ranks the world's largest publicly traded companies on eight indicators covering energy, greenhouse gases, water, waste, fines and penalties, linking executive pay to sustainability targets, board-level committee oversight of environmental issues and third-party audits. Ranking methodology by Corporate Knights and HIP Investor.
Source: Newsweek (2016)
Business Ethics ESG claims
This company has environmental, social and governance (ESG) claims on its website.
Source: company website (2016)
Social Modern Slavery statement
California, the UK and Australia have all enacted legislation requiring companies operating within their borders to disclose their efforts to eradicate modern slavery from their operations and supply chains. Follow the link to see this company's disclosure statement.
Source: company website (2016)

> About the Icons

Company Details

Type Public company
Revenue 200 billion USD (2016)
Employees 720,000 (2015)
Subsidiaries Arnott's Biscuits Ltd 

Biscuit makers

Established in 1865 in Newcastle, NSW. Became a wholly-owned subsidiary of US food giant Campbell Soup Company in 1997. 99 percent of their products sold in Australia are manufactured in Australia. In 2019 Campbell Soup Co sold its international business arm to private equity firm KKR, which included Campbell Soups in Australia and Arnotts Biscuits. In 2021 KKR-backed Arnott's acquired Kiwi biscuit maker 180 Degrees, Freedom Foods' cereals and snacks division, and a 75% stake in Australian cereal and snacking manufacturer Diver Foods.


  - Good Food Partners Pty Ltd (75% owned) 

Cereal and snacks manufacturer

Previously Diver Foods. This Arnott's business unit was created in 2021 from KKR's bolt-on acquisitions of Diver Foods and Freedom Foods. One of Australia's largest manufacturers of cereal and snacking products. Diver Foods founder Chris Diver owns a 25% stake.


  - Campbell Australasia Pty Ltd 

Soups, stocks, sauces and juices

Campbells have a manufacturing facility in Shepparton, Victoria. In 2019 Campbell Soup Co sold its international business arm to private equity firm KKR, which included Campbell Soups in Australia and Arnotts Biscuits.


The Australian Venue Company (80% owned) 

Pub group

Created in 2017 when KKR bought an 80 per cent stake in Bruce Dixon's pub group for $190 million. Since then KKR has made a number of bolt-on acquisitions, including Coles' Spirit Hotels business, which controls about 90 pubs, mainly in Queensland. Coles still operates the liquor stores, but has left the pokies business.


  - Hawthorn Brewing Company Pty Ltd 

Craft beer makers

Founded in 2008 as the backyard idea of 3 mates with a long history of home brewing. Their beers are brewed under contract. Acquired by Dixon Hospitality (renamed Australian Venue Co) in 2017.


  - Queensland Venue Co (50% owned) 

Hotel operators

This joint venture began in 2019 when the KKR controlled Australian Venue Company took over Coles' hotels business which operates mainly in Queensland. Under the deal KKR runs the hotels (and poker machines) while Coles runs the liquor stores.


Wella Company (74% owned) 

Hair care products manufacturer

In 2020 Coty sold 60% its professional beauty and retail hair businesses, including Wella and Clairol brands, to investment firm KKR in a deal valued at $4.3 billion. Coty sold further 9% and 5% stakes to KKR in 2021.


Upfield Holdings BV 

Plant-based spreads

Largest plant-based consumer product company in the world, operating in 95 countries. Created in 2018 when KKR bought Unilever's spreads business.


Refresco Group BV (51% owned) 

Beverages

World's largest independent bottler for retailers and A-brands in Europe and North America. KKR bought a majority stake in 2022. Entered the Australian market in 2022 after buying Tru Blu Beverages.


  - Tru Blu Beverages Pty Ltd 

Drinks manufacturer

In 2011 Japanese drinks giant, Asahi, acquired P&N Beverages and simultaneously divested P&N's soft drink, cordial and energy drink business to Tru Blu Beverages - a newly created company owned and run by P&N's Managing Director and former Coca-Cola Company executive, Peter Brooks. Asahi kept P&N's bottled water and fruit juice business. Acquired by KKR-controlled Refresco in 2022.

Contact Details

Address New York, USA
Website www.kkr.com

Products / Brands

Arnott's
180 Degrees Biscuits/Crackers
Arnotts Biscuits/Crackers
Arnotts Cakes
Shapes Biscuits/Crackers
Tim Tams Biscuits/Crackers
Wagon Wheels Biscuits/Crackers

Good Food Partners (75% owned)
Arnold's Farm Muesli & Oats
Freedom Foods Health Foods
Freedom Foods Cereal
Freedom Foods Muesli & Oats
Heritage Mill Muesli & Oats
Messy Monkeys Health Bars
Messy Monkeys Popcorn
Messy Monkeys Health Foods
Messy Monkeys Cereal
Sam's Pantry Muesli Bars
Sunsol Muesli & Oats

Campbell Australia
Campbell's Pasta Sauce
Campbell's Stock
Campbell's Soup
Fray Bentos Canned Meat/Meals
Fruits & Roots Juice & Fruit Drinks
V8 Juice & Fruit Drinks

Hawthorn Brewing Co
Hawthorn Beer

Wella (74% owned)
Briogeo Shampoo
Clairol Hair Colour
OPI Nails Nail Care
weDo Shampoo
Wella Shampoo
Wella Hair Styling

Upfield
Bertolli Butter & Margarine
Flora Butter & Margarine
ProActiv Butter & Margarine

Tru Blu Beverages
Ceda Soft Drinks
Crush Soft Drinks
Diet Rite Soft Drinks
Diet Rite Cordial
FruitCo Juice & Fruit Drinks
LA Ice Soft Drinks
Lido Soft Drinks
Pub Squash Soft Drinks
Que Cola Soft Drinks
Tru Blu Soft Drinks
Viva Cordial
Waterfords Sparkling Water
Wicked Energy Drinks


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