UPDATE 3-Bain, KKR bidding for Singapore's Unisteel-sources

(Adds statement from Unisteel, updates share prices)

By Michael Flaherty and Alison Tudor

HONG KONG/TOKYO, May 2 (Reuters) - Bain Capital and Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co [KKR.UL] are among the private equity firms bidding on Singapore-based disk drive component maker Unisteel Technology (UNST.SI: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz), sources close to the matter said on Friday.

Macquarie's (MQG.AX: Quote, Profile, Research, Stock Buzz) investment banking group is running the auction and a first round of bids has already been received, the sources said.

Analysts have said the company could be worth around S$800 million ($588 million).

Unisteel issued a statement late on Friday confirming that it had appointed Macquarie to help it evaluate "preliminary approaches from certain parties in relation to a proposed transaction".

It said it was not certain that a deal would take place.

Shares of Unisteel rose more than 11 percent to close at S$1.79 giving it a market value of about $530 million after Reuters reported on the potential deal.

Unisteel's auction represents another acquisition opportunity in the hard disc drive sector, which has seen a wave of consolidation amid stiff competition and falling prices.