GOLDEN VALLEY, MN, Feb. 16, 2005 (PRNewswire-FirstCall) -- Pentair announced the formation of a strategic alliance with Ecolab Inc. to deliver market-leading water treatment and filtration solutions to the foodservice and hospitality markets by leveraging Ecolab's sales-and-service organization.
Under the agreement, Pentair will become St. Paul, Minn.-based Ecolab's strategic partner for filtration and water conditioning product solutions. Ecolab will immediately offer replacement cartridge services for Pentair-Everpure® filtration systems through a co-branded replacement cartridge program and will enhance its existing FresH2OTM water filtration program with Pentair technologies. The agreement also establishes the framework under which Pentair and Ecolab will develop the next generation of innovative new product solutions for the foodservice and hospitality markets.
Pentair vice chairman Richard J. Cathcart said, "This alliance highlights the need for safe clean water solutions in these attractive markets. Ecolab's worldwide service leadership and expertise are instrumental factors that make them our partner of choice." With sales of $4.2 billion, Ecolab is the leading global developer and marketer of premium cleaning, sanitizing, pest elimination, maintenance and repair products for the hospitality, foodservice, institutional and industrial markets.
According to Tracy Crocker, Ecolab's vice president of Emerging Businesses, "The strength of Pentair's knowledge, research and development for the water industry is unprecedented in the marketplace. By combining the breadth and depth of Pentair's product lines with Ecolab's sales, marketing and service capabilities, as well as our existing water business, we can offer the best water solutions for our customers."
"Pentair's ability to deliver a wide breadth and depth of integrated water solutions highlights our leadership position and makes this alliance possible," said John Abbott, president of the filtration division of Pentair's Water Group. "Through the agreement, Pentair will benefit from the frequency with which Ecolab's premier service network makes service visits, and will strengthen our position and increase our volume in foodservice markets."
Abbott continued: "Water quality is a critical issue for foodservice operators. Properly conditioned water increases the efficiency and life of equipment, minimizes downtime, reduces energy use and most importantly has a direct effect on the odor, taste, appearance and consistency of foodservice providers' offerings. We have great respect for Ecolab's service network, and we are pleased that we will provide them with leading technologies to better serve their customers."
Pentair (www.pentair.com) is a diversified operating company headquartered in Minnesota. Its Water Group is a global leader in providing innovative products and systems used worldwide in the movement, treatment, storage and enjoyment of water. Pentair's Enclosures Group is a leader in the global enclosures market, designing and manufacturing standard, modified and custom enclosures that house and protect sensitive electronics and electrical components. With 2004 revenues of $2.28 billion, or $2.76 billion on a pro forma basis, Pentair has about 13,000 employees worldwide.
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