<p>U.S. private equity firm Kohlberg Kravis Roberts launched a tender offer on Thursday for a stake in Germany's GfK, teaming up with the faltering market research firm to develop new computer-based strategies and fend off competition.</p>
<p>GfK's majority shareholder, GfK Verein, will hold on to its 56.46 percent stake under the agreement but said it would support the technological overhaul proposed by KKR, which has a track record of successfully turning around media and market research businesses.</p>