KKR Set to Acquire Capital Safety

Following on the heels of its deal for Samson Investment, the biggest company takeover by a private-equity firm announced this year, KKR & Co.

reportedly is set to acquire Capital Safety, a UK- based safety harness maker. The bid could value Capital Safety at about $1.1 billion, said people familiar with the matter. Anders Pettersson, chief executive of Capital Safety, told bidders he would leave the company once the deal was completed. KKR, one of the world's largest buyout firms, beat out Cinven and Warburg Pincus to buy the company from Arle Capital Partners. Rumors suggest Arle may also sell the manufacturing unit of UK oil company Expro International Group, as well as QiOptiq, a maker of optical equipment for the military. Arle, led by John Arney, is seeking to return cash to investors before raising a new pool.