Henry Kravis says he's not a barbarian...well, definitely not a locust, at least.

Explaining that he does not agree with the idea that firms like his buy companies, fire everyone, and then sell them for a profit, Henry Kravis of Kohlberg, Kravis Roberts and Co said his job is to save companies in need. KKR is currently teaming up with some Canadian entities in an attempt to buy the Canadian telecom giant BCE, which is receiving some resistance.

His firm was the inspiration behind the book "Barbarians at the Gate." Kravis says he'd prefer being known as a capitalist, though - not a barbarian. "A number of us had the great title of 'locusts' put on us in Germany. And I really was disappointed because I went from barbarian to locust. I think barbarian is better," he said.

Henry Kravis says he's not - as some have famously branded him - a barbarian.

The founder of aggressive U.S. buyout specialist Kohlberg, Kravis Roberts and Co., argued Tuesday he'd rather be viewed as a capitalist who repairs underperforming companies and listens to labour unions, even as criticisms mount over foreign takeovers of Canadian business icons.

(Continue reading this story on CBC News)

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