Why Private Equity Loves The Channel: A Q&A With KKR's Herald Chen

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When you buy a company like Optiv, what sort of value do you bring to the table?

When we invest in a company, we have to have a very clear view of what we will do in the business. … We don't think you generate great returns by just investing in a company and just letting it run by itself or letting it do what it's been doing. … KKR obviously has the capital and dollars we can invest. … Our distinct alignment was two things. First, a vision where the company can go and continue to build upon its strong position in selling technologies and continue to develop that and really deliver solutions to customers. … [Second,] we were pretty confident in our strategic thought in the category and more importantly our ability to execute that plan [to grow internationally] with this team. We are in great alignment. … This was a unique confluence of great team, great platform, great sector, alignment of strategy. We think jointly our ability to execute that strategy, we have a high degree of confidence.