Ecolab

{{Prose|section|date=August 2024}}

Merritt J. "M.J." Osborn founded Economics Laboratory in 1923. The company's original product was Absorbit, a product designed to quickly clean carpets in hotel rooms. This was soon followed by Soilax, a dishwasher soap.

During the 1930s, the company expanded throughout the United States, with sales reaching US$5.4 million by the end of 1940s. It acquired the Magnus Company in the early 1950s, giving the company access to Magnus's industrial specialty businesses {{En dash}} including pulp and paper, metalworking, transportation, and petrochemical processing.

In the 1950s, international expansion of Economics Laboratory started with the establishment of its first overseas subsidiary in Sweden in 1956. It became a publicly traded corporation in 1957. In 1979, it acquired Apollo Technologies, which would be shut down in 1983 as a subsidiary. In 1984, Ecolab acquired pest elimination company Lystads, Inc., of Grand Forks, North Dakota.{{Cite news|url=http://magazine.pctonline.com/article/march-2018/ecolab--expands.aspx|title=Ecolab Expands|work=PCT Magazine|access-date=2018-07-10}}

In 1986, the company changed its name from Economics Laboratory to Ecolab Inc. and was listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

In 1987, the company formed a textile care division.

In 1987, Ecolab purchased the lawncare servicer provider ChemLawn for $376 million. It sold the acquisition in 1992 to ServiceMaster for $103 million as it couldn't turn ChemLawn into a profitable business.

Ecolab and the German fast-moving consumer goods firm Henkel KGaA formed a 50:50 European joint venture called 'Henkel-Ecolab' in 1991 to expand into European and Russian markets.{{Cite web |url=https://www.zippia.com/ecolab-careers-3726/history/ |title=Ecolab History |date=27 August 2020 |publisher=Zippia |access-date=20 July 2022}}

In 2004, Douglas M. Baker, Jr. was named chief executive officer. In 2006, he also was named chairman of Ecolab's board of directors.{{Cite web|title=Douglas M. Baker, Jr. |url=https://www.janorth.org/douglas-baker/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020192521/https://www.janorth.org/douglas-baker/ |archive-date=20 October 2021 |url-status=dead |access-date=27 March 2023 |publisher=Junior Achievement North |language=en}}

In 2005, the company opened a new global research, development, and engineering center in Eagan, Minnesota.

In 2006, Ecolab won the Black Pearl Award for Corporate Excellence in Food Safety and Quality, presented by the International Association of Food Protection (IAFP).{{Cite web |url=https://www.zippia.com/ecolab-careers-3726/history/ |title=Ecolab Company History Timeline |date=27 August 2020 }}{{Circular reference|date=March 2023}}

In 2007, Ecolab acquired Microtek Medical Holdings, Inc., expanding its infection prevention expertise and offerings to hospitals and other healthcare facilities.{{Cite press release |url=https://www.modernhealthcare.com/article/20071112/NEWS/311120020/ecolab-completes-acquisition-of-microtek-medical|title=Ecolab completes acquisition of Microtek Medica l|publisher=investor.ecolab.com|date=7 February 2007 |language=en |access-date=2022-08-10}}

In 2008, Henkel sold all of the 73 million shares, nearly a 29.5% stake it held in Ecolab, ending the two-decade-long partnership.{{cite web|title=Henkel Completes Ecolab Divestment|url=http://www.tcbmag.com/dailydevelopments/dailydevelopments/106452p1.aspx|access-date=25 July 2012}}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}{{cite press release |title=Henkel announces successful public offering of its shares in Ecolab |url=http://www.henkel.com/press/2008-19222-henkel-announces-successful-public-offering-of-its-shares-in-18691.htm|date=November 2008|access-date=25 July 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130524100851/http://www.henkel.com/press/2008-19222-henkel-announces-successful-public-offering-of-its-shares-in-18691.htm|archive-date=24 May 2013|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}} The same year, Ecolab established Zürich as its Europe, the Middle East and Africa headquarters.

In 2011, Ecolab announced a merger with Nalco Holding Company, Inc., an industrial water technology firm. In December 2011, Nalco, later renamed Nalco Water, became a wholly owned subsidiary of Ecolab after Ecolab completed the $5.4 billion acquisition.{{cite web|date=9 December 2003 |title=Ecolab Closes on Merger With Nalco |url=http://www.mobotecusa.com/news-and-events/5524.htm|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130129030602/http://www.mobotecusa.com/news-and-events/5524.htm |archive-date=29 January 2013|access-date=1 December 2011 |publisher=mobotecusa.com}}

In 2012, Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates, through his investment vehicles Cascade Investment and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, increased his stake of 10.8% in Ecolab to 25%.

In 2012, Ecolab entered an agreement to acquire Champion Technologies and its related company Corsicana Technologies, global specialty chemical companies.{{Cite web|url=https://investor.ecolab.com/news/news-details/2012/Ecolab-Agrees-to-Acquire-Champion-Technologies-for-22-Billion/default.aspx|title = Ecolab Agrees to Acquire Champion Technologies for $2.2 Billion}} The $2.2 billion transaction closed in April 2013.{{Cite web |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ecolab-closes-purchase-champion-205400401.html |title=Ecolab Closes on Purchase of Champion |publisher=Yahoo! Finance |access-date=2017-01-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719061852/http://finance.yahoo.com/news/ecolab-closes-purchase-champion-205400401.html |archive-date=2013-07-19 |url-status=dead }}

In 2014, Ecolab, working with TruCost, launched the Water Risk Monetizer.{{Cite web|url=https://about.smartwaternavigator.com/|title=Water Risk Monetizer|website=about.smartwaternavigator.com}}

File:Travelers Companies-St Paul-20061008.jpg

In 2015, for $40.5 million, Ecolab acquired the U.S. operations of Swisher Hygiene, which provides hygiene and sanitizing solutions for the foodservice, hospitality, retail and healthcare markets.{{Cite web |url=https://mergr.com/ecolab-acquires-swisher-hygiene |title= Ecolab Acquires Swisher Hygiene | website=Mergr|access-date=2022-08-10|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151208071959/http://www.ecolab.com/news/ecolab-closes-on-acquisition-of-swisher-hygiene-20151103/ |archive-date=2015-12-08 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web | url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1504747/000135448815004895/swsh_10q.htm |title = Swsh_10q.HTM}}

In 2016, Ecolab announced plans to acquire Laboratoires Anios, a leading European manufacturer and marketer of hygiene and disinfection products for the healthcare, food service, and food and beverage markets. Based in Lille, France, Anios served customers in 85 countries and had 2015 sales of approximately $245 million. The $800 million transaction closed on February 1, 2017.{{Cite web|last=foodnavigator.com|title=Ecolab tables bid for Laboratoires Anios|url=https://www.foodnavigator.com/Article/2016/06/29/Ardian-to-sell-Laboratoires-Anios-to-Ecolab|access-date=2020-07-09|website=foodnavigator.com|date=28 June 2016 |language=en-GB}}{{Cite web|title=Ecolab Plans to Acquire France-Based Laboratoires Anios|date=30 June 2016 |url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ecolab-plans-acquire-france-based-123212110.html|access-date=2022-08-09|publisher=Yahoo!Finance|language=en}}

In 2016, Ecolab made a minority investment in Aquatech International, LLC of an undisclosed amount.{{Cite web|url=https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ecolab-makes-equity-investment-aquatech-203000576.html|title=Ecolab Makes Equity Investment in Aquatech International|access-date=2016-07-27|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160825195601/https://finance.yahoo.com/news/ecolab-makes-equity-investment-aquatech-203000576.html|archive-date=2016-08-25|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.techsciresearch.com/news/1421-ecolab-acquires-minority-stake-in-aquatech-international.html|title=Ecolab makes Minority Stake in Aquatech International|website=TechSci Research|access-date=2022-08-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160728224740/http://www.ecolab.com/news/ecolab-makes-equity-investment-in-aquatech-international/|archive-date=2016-07-28|url-status=dead}}

In 2016, the company opened a Latin America regional headquarters in Miramar, Florida.{{Cite web|title=Ecolab opens Latin America Regional Headquarters in Miramar Florida|url=https://www.bioflorida.com/news/news.asp?id=302469|access-date=2022-08-02|website=BioFlorida Advancing The Business of Life Science|language=en}} In the same year, Ecolab acquired the assets of UltraClenz, a developer of electronic hand hygiene compliance monitoring systems and dispensers.{{Cite web|date=2016-10-03|title=Ecolab Inc.: Ecolab Acquires Assets of Ultraclenz|url=https://www.twst.com/update/ecolab-inc-ecolab-acquires-assets-of-ultraclenz/|access-date=2020-07-09|website=The Wall Street Transcript|language=en-US}}

In 2018, Bill Gates purchased $230 million in additional shares of Ecolab via Cascade Investments.{{Cite web |last=Lin |first=Ed |title=Bill Gates Is Ecolab's Largest Shareholder. He Just Scooped Up More Shares. |url=https://www.barrons.com/articles/bill-gates-ecolab-stock-51660936071 |access-date=2022-09-28 |website=www.barrons.com |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Bill Gates Is Ecolab's Largest Shareholder. He Just Scooped Up More Shares. – The Hamden Journal |url=https://www.thehamdenjournal.com/world/bill-gates-is-ecolabs-largest-shareholder-he-just-scooped-up-more-shares/306933/ |access-date=2022-09-28 |language=en-US}}

In 2019, Ecolab acquired an Australian company Gallay Medical & Scientific who is a leader in providing medical devices, equipment, chemistry and service to the medical, dental, scientific and pharmaceutical industries. {{Cite web|url=https://healthcare-au.ecolab.com/new-to-ecolab-healthcare/gallay-medical-scientific-has-been-acquired-by-ecolab-inc/|title=Gallay Medical & Scientific has been acquired by Ecolab Inc.}}

In 2021, Ecolab acquired Purolite, a provider of ion-exchange resins for biopharmaceutical purification for approximately $3.7 billion.{{cite news |last1=Nelson |first1=Millie |title=Ecolab to acquire Purolite in $3.7bn deal - BioProcess Insider |url=https://bioprocessintl.com/bioprocess-insider/deal-making/ecolab-to-acquire-purolite-in-3-7bn-deal/ |work=BioProcess International |date=1 November 2021}}

In 2022, Bill Gates purchased additional stock through Cascade, though his overall stake dropped to 11%.

In 2023, Ecolab partnered with and invested in Miso Robotics, a company specializing in automated in-restaurant robotic arms and other equipment for food preparation and staff augmentation.{{cite web | url=https://misorobotics.com/newsroom/miso-robotics-announces-ecolab-partnership-and-investment/ | title=Miso Robotics announces Ecolab partnership and investment | date=17 May 2023 }}

Ecolab helps organizations treat their water in industries including food, healthcare, hospitality, and manufacturing. {{Cite web|url=http://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/opinions/08-1228.pdf|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090616193153/http://www.cafc.uscourts.gov/opinions/08-1228.pdf|url-status=dead|title=www.cafc.uscourts.gov/opinions/08-1228.pdf|archivedate=June 16, 2009}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/companies/ecolab/?sh=1a7ddc1f6977|title=EcoLab(ECL)|website=Forbes|access-date=20 July 2022}}

{{Reflist|30em|refs=

{{cite web|title=Fundinguniverse.com {{!}} Ecolab|url=http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/ecolab-inc-history/|access-date=25 July 2012}}

{{cite web|title=Bill Gates Gets OK to Up Stake in Ecolab to 25%|url=http://tcbmag.blogs.com/daily_developments/2012/05/bill-gates-gets-ok-to-up-stake-in-ecolab-to-25.html|date=8 May 2012|access-date=25 July 2012}}

{{cite news|title=Bill Gates' stake in Ecolab could get bigger

|url=http://www.bizjournals.com/twincities/news/2012/05/07/microsoft-gates-can-invest-in-ecolab.html|date=7 May 2012|access-date=25 July 2012}}

{{cite news|title=Reuters company profile - Ecolab|url=http://reuters.com/finance/stocks/companyProfile?symbol=ECL.N|access-date=25 July 2012}}

{{cite news|title=stake in Ecolab could get bigger|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/ecolab-idINL4E8G7B4E20120507?type=companyNews|access-date=25 July 2012 | work=Reuters|date=7 May 2012}}

{{cite news|title=Henkel Directors to Resign from Ecolab Board

|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/2008/07/02/idUS225654+02-Jul-2008+BW20080702|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130731104646/http://www.reuters.com/article/2008/07/02/idUS225654+02-Jul-2008+BW20080702|url-status=dead|archive-date=July 31, 2013|date=July 2008|access-date=25 July 2012|work=Reuters}}

{{cite news|title=Ecolab Agrees To Buy Nalco For $5.4 Billion To Add Water-Treatment Service|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/2011-07-20/ecolab-agrees-to-buy-nalco-for-5-4-billion-to-add-water-treatment-service.html|publisher=bloomberg.com|access-date=21 July 2012|date=July 2011}}

{{cite web|title=Ecolab merger to build on Nalco's legacy|url=http://www.globalwaterintel.com/archive/12/12/general/ecolab-merger-build-nalcos-legacy.html|access-date=21 July 2012|date=December 2011|publisher=mobotecusa.com}}

{{cite web|title=SEC filing: NALCO Holding Company|url=http://apps.shareholder.com/sec/viewerContent.aspx?companyid=ECL&docid=8286518&print=yes|access-date=21 July 2012|date=December 2011|publisher=mobotecusa.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141204205347/http://apps.shareholder.com/sec/viewerContent.aspx?companyid=ECL&docid=8286518&print=yes|archive-date=4 December 2014|url-status=dead}}

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• {{Official|https://www.ecolab.com}}

{{Finance links

| name = Ecolab

| symbol = ECL

| sec_cik = 31462

| yahoo = ECL

| google = ECL:NYSE

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• [http://www.mnhs.org/library/findaids/00309.xml Archival records] of Ecolab at the [http://www.mnhs.org Minnesota Historical Society]

{{Minnesota Corporations}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Chemical companies of the United States

Category:Chemical companies established in 1923

Category:Companies listed on the New York Stock Exchange

Category:Companies in the S&P 500 Dividend Aristocrats

Category:Business services companies established in 1923

Category:Manufacturing companies based in Saint Paul, Minnesota

Category:1923 establishments in Minnesota