Kohlberg, Kravis, Roberts & Co. is considering a bid for Fisher Scientific International, sources said Monday.
The biggest leveraged-buyout firm is among as many as five prospective bidders for Fisher, they said.
Fisher, which sells test tubes, rubber gloves, beakers and other scientific equipment, is searching for buyers as it tries to evade the Bass Group of Ft. Worth, which made an $1 billion takeover bid for the Hampton-based firm in June.
New York-based KKR and Fisher declined to comment. The Bass family wasn’t immediately available for comment. Fisher Scientific shares rose $2.44, to $50.81.
The Basses, who own 10.6 percent of Fisher, expressed interest in buying the firm for $48 a share after Fisher’s stock fell 19 percent earlier this year.
