KKR expands stake in Henry Schein, secures board seats to influence strategy

KKR strengthened its position in Henry Schein, increasing its stake to 12% with the option to acquire an additional 2.9% in the future. 

As part of the deal, Henry Schein has granted KKR two board seats. This reinforces the private equity firm’s influence over the medical and dental supplies distributor’s strategic direction. Shares of Henry Schein rose over 6% to $80.69 in premarket trading following the announcement.

The investment comes amid growing pressure from activist investor Ananym Capital Management, which is pushing for a leadership transition, cost-cutting measures, and capital optimization. Ananym plans to nominate up to six directors to the board, arguing that Henry Schein needs fresh leadership and a revised strategy.

CEO Stanley Bergman, who has led the company since 1989, remains a focal point in these discussions. KKR will play a role in CEO succession planning through its representation on the board committee overseeing the process.

KKR’s deep expertise in the dental sector, with existing investments in Heartland Dental and 123Dentist, positions it as a key player in shaping Henry Schein’s future. With private equity now actively involved in the company’s governance, the distributor could see significant strategic shifts aimed at improving efficiency and shareholder value.

Source: Reuters

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