KPS Capital Partners Private Equity Firm Overview

KPS Capital Partners is a private equity firm that has been around for over three decades, founded in 1991 by Michael Psaros and David Novak.

The firm is known for its unique approach to investing, focusing on complex, distressed, and underperforming companies in various industries.

KPS Capital Partners has a strong track record of success, having completed over 100 transactions and generating significant returns for its investors.

Their expertise lies in transforming companies through operational improvements and strategic initiatives, often resulting in improved profitability and increased value.

KPS Capital Partners was founded in 1991 by Eugene Keilin, Michael Psaros, and David Shapiro, hence the KPS name.

KPS has a long history of making controlling equity investments in manufacturing and industrial companies across various industries, including basic materials, branded consumer, healthcare, and luxury products.

The company raised its first institutional fund in 1998 and has since completed over 110 controlling investments through seven institutional investment funds.

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KPS has approximately $19.4 billion of assets under management, as of June 30, 2025.

The company's portfolio companies have aggregate annual revenues of approximately $21.6 billion and operate 212 manufacturing facilities in 21 countries.

KPS has a global reach, with approximately 57,000 employees, directly and through joint ventures worldwide.

The company creates value for its investors by working constructively with talented management teams to make businesses better.

KPS generates investment returns by structurally improving the strategic position, competitiveness, and profitability of its portfolio companies.

In 2021, KPS announced the acquisition of the aluminum rolling business from Norsk Hydro and the EMEA food and consumer packaging business from Crown Holdings.

KPS creates new companies to acquire assets or businesses from large corporations, businesses owned by families or entrepreneurs, and businesses presented for sale in connection with financial restructurings.

The company then transforms these businesses into independent, world-class, industry-leading enterprises.

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KPS Capital Partners is known for its constructive relationships with the workforce and their unions. This is a departure from the typical private equity firm reputation, as KPS has saved around 20,000 jobs since 2009.

The firm's approach to investment is guided by its investment criteria, which includes a range of sectors such as apparel, automotive, and consumer products. KPS has a history of working with large manufacturing and industrial unions, consulting with workers to find solutions.

Here are some key sectors and geographic preferences for KPS investments:

PackagingTest/Measurement EquipmentTransportation

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When evaluating investment opportunities, it's essential to have clear criteria in place. This investment firm focuses on sectors such as Apparel/Textiles, Automotive, and Beverages.

Their target transaction types include buyouts, divestitures, and special situations/distressed acquisitions. This indicates a willingness to take on a variety of deals.

The firm has geographic preferences in the East US, Midwest US, and Western Europe. This suggests a focus on established markets.

Here are the firm's transaction criteria:

The firm has worked with several notable financial institutions, including Deutsche Bank Corporate & Investment Banking and UBS Investment Bank.

KPS has a reputation for constructive relationships with the workforce and their unions, often saving jobs in distressed companies. In 2009, Psaros estimated that he had saved about 20,000 jobs.

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Private equity firms often have a bad rep for slashing jobs, but KPS is an exception. Unions appreciate KPS's debt-free deals, which is a big plus.

KPS has a history of consulting workers, as noted by the AFL-CIO, and has worked with large manufacturing and industrial unions. This approach has earned KPS a spot as a go-to partner for labor unions.

In Europe, KPS has established Framework Agreements with German unions IG Metall and IG BCE, demonstrating its commitment to collaborative relationships.

As part of our investment and operations services, we offer advisory activities that can help you make informed decisions. One key area of focus is portfolio management for pooled investment vehicles. This involves overseeing the investment strategy and performance of funds or pools of money.

We can also help you navigate the complexities of investment operations, ensuring that your assets are managed efficiently and effectively.

KPS Capital Partners has acquired 8 companies in the last 3 years. The Firm's most common sectors for investment are manufacturing (17%) and automotive (15%).

KPS Capital Partners' largest disclosed acquisition occurred in 2024 when it acquired Innomotics for $3.9B. The Firm's largest disclosed exit was the sale of Howden Group in 2022 for $4.4B.

The Firm has exited 5 companies in the last 3 years, with the most common exit type being a trade sale (56%).

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KPS Capital Partners has acquired 8 companies in the last 3 years.

The Firm's most common sectors for investment are manufacturing and automotive, making up 17% and 15% of their investments respectively.

KPS Capital Partners has invested in 20 US states and 9 different countries.

Their largest disclosed acquisition occurred in 2024, when they acquired Innomotics for $3.9B.

The Firm's most common exit type is trade sale, accounting for 56% of their exits.

KPS Capital Partners' largest disclosed exit was in 2022, when they sold Howden Group for $4.4B.

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A private equity firm's assets, funds, and holdings are a crucial part of its operations. The firm's total assets under management (AUM) is $19.7 billion as of March 28, 2025.

The firm has several funds, including the KPS Special Situations Fund Executive LP, which has an AUM of $9.5 million as of March 28, 2025. Another fund, the KPS Special Situations Fund VI A LP, has an AUM of $4,548.7 million as of March 28, 2024.

The firm's AUM breakdown shows that 15 accounts are managed, with a total AUM of $19.7 billion. These accounts are managed by pooled investment vehicles.

Here are the firm's top 10 limited partners, based on the data from 2011 to 2025:

The firm's Form D directors have filed a total of 35 filings, with David Shapiro leading the pack with 35 filings.

KPS Capital Partners is a private investment firm that has been in business for over three decades, with a team of experienced professionals who have a proven track record of success.

They have invested in various industries, including consumer goods, energy, and manufacturing, and have a global presence with investments in over 20 countries.

KPS has a strong focus on creating value for its investors, with a goal of achieving a return on investment of 20-30% per year.

KPS Capital Partners, LP is a private investment firm with a physical address at One Vanderbilt Avenue, 52nd Floor, New York, New York 10017.

The firm's contact information includes a phone number (212) 338-5100 and a website at www.kpsfund.com.

KPS Capital Partners has a presence in multiple locations, with offices in a total of 4 different locations.

The firm's target investment size is a significant range of $200 million to $2 billion.

There are several types of investors, each with their own unique characteristics and goals.

Accredited investors are high net worth individuals who meet certain financial criteria, such as earning at least $200,000 per year or having a net worth of at least $1 million.

Retail investors, on the other hand, are individual investors who invest their own money, often through online brokerage accounts or robo-advisors.

Institutional investors, such as pension funds and endowments, have a lot of money to invest and often invest in a variety of assets, including stocks, bonds, and real estate.

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Sophisticated investors, such as venture capitalists and private equity firms, invest in high-risk, high-reward investments, often in the form of startups or private companies.

Each of these investor types has its own set of rules and regulations that must be followed, such as the requirement for accredited investors to review and sign a private placement memorandum.