The American investment company KKR&Co. Inc. has submitted an offer to acquire the Japanese recruitment company Forum Engineering Inc. for 90 billion yen ($584 million). This is reported in a KKR press release.
The tender offer price is 1,710 yen per share (41% higher than the closing price on November 7, 2025). The Board of Forum Engineering is ready to support the application with an acceptance period until December 23 and recommends that investors put the shares up for auction.
In 2025, Forum Engineering shares increased by 23%, increasing the market value to 69 billion yen ($447 million). As part of the proposed transaction, KKR has entered into a tender agreement with the management of Forum Engineering, according to which shareholders will put up for auction blocks of shares in the amount of 7.51% and 7.11%. In addition, the main shareholder of La Terre Holdings agreed to sell 37.07% as part of the privatization of Forum Engineering.
In case of successful acquisition of Forum Engineering, KKR intends to implement a program of broad employee participation in equity, which will allow them to become co-owners of the company. KKR has implemented similar programs in previous investments in Japan, including in Bushu Pharmaceuticals and Yayoi.
Forum Engineering solves the problem of the growing shortage of qualified personnel in Japan, which is aggravated by the reduction of the able-bodied population.
KKR has been investing in Japan for twenty years and manages more than $20 billion in Japanese assets in various segments and has extensive experience investing in human resources companies, including Philippine-based PHINMA Education, European Davante and American Lightcast.
Forum Engineering Inc. is a Japanese recruitment company for the selection of mechanical and electrical engineers who are in demand by major manufacturers in Japan. The company uses its own Cognavi AI system for recruitment. The headquarters is located in the city of Minato (Japan).
KKR&Co. Inc. is an American investment company with headquarters in New York (USA). KKR specializes in private equity and asset management. KKR has invested $710 billion in portfolio companies since its founding and currently has assets worth $664 billion under management.
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