KKR Expands Footprint with ProTen Acquisition in Australia

KKR's Strategic Acquisition of ProTen

KKR & Co. Inc. has made headlines recently by finalizing a deal to acquire ProTen Pty Limited, a significant player in the poultry farming infrastructure of Australia. This strategic move is aimed at enhancing KKR's investments within the agricultural sector, particularly as the demand for sustainable protein continues to rise.

Understanding ProTen's Role

Founded in 2001, ProTen operates numerous poultry sheds across over 60 farms. The company is essential to Australia’s poultry production and food supply chain, contributing significantly to the availability of high-quality protein products.

Details of the Acquisition

KKR plans to utilize funds from its Asia Pacific Infrastructure Investors II Fund to facilitate this acquisition. The transaction is currently awaiting regulatory approval and is expected to complete later this year. This acquisition is pivotal in enabling ProTen's next stage of growth and expanding its influence within the protein supply market.

Leadership Perspectives

Andrew Jennings, head of KKR's infrastructure operations in the region, highlighted that this deal offers exposure to a quality agriculture platform supported by stable, long-term contracts. Jennings emphasized that ProTen's robust positioning, along with the increasing demand for sustainable protein, makes it an enticing asset for future growth.

Aware Super's Contribution

Aware Super has been instrumental in ProTen's development since taking over management in 2018. Their active management approach has significantly expanded ProTen's national footprint and quadrupled its property base. Jiren Zhou, an infrastructure portfolio manager at Aware Super, noted the success of their strategy, benefitting their 1.2 million members while enhancing their global infrastructure portfolio worth over 20 billion Australian dollars.

The Vision Forward

James Wentworth, ProTen’s CEO, attributed the company's growth to Aware Super's strategic investments. He assured that ProTen’s operational strategy and mission will remain intact under KKR’s ownership, focusing on supplying affordable and sustainable poultry options to Australian consumers.

KKR's Growing Influence in the Region

This acquisition adds to KKR’s expanding portfolio in Australia, which includes notable investments in several other enterprises such as Zenith Energy, Queensland Airports Limited, Spark Infrastructure, and Ritchies Transport. Since 2019, KKR's Asia Pacific infrastructure division has significantly grown, now managing around $13 billion in assets.

KKR Stock Performance

As of late, KKR stock has shown a positive trend, with shares growing by over 25% within the past year. Currently, KKR shares have experienced a slight increase, trading 1% higher, now at $133.75.

Investment Opportunities

For investors looking to engage with KKR, they can gain exposure to the stock through various ETFs, including the VanEck Alternative Asset Manager ETF and the EA Series Trust WHITEWOLF Publicly Listed Private Equity ETF.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is KKR's recent acquisition?

KKR recently acquired ProTen Pty Limited, a major poultry farming infrastructure player in Australia.

Why did KKR acquire ProTen?

The acquisition aims to enhance KKR's presence in the agricultural sector, focusing on sustainable protein demand.

When was ProTen established?

ProTen was founded in 2001 and operates across numerous farms in Australia.

What is the expected impact of the acquisition?

The acquisition aims to fortify ProTen's market position and fuel its expansion in the protein supply sector.

How has Aware Super influenced ProTen?

Aware Super has significantly contributed to ProTen's growth by expanding its footprint and facilitating substantial investments since 2018.

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