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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 10-K

 

(Mark One)

 

x

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2009

 

Commission File No. 1-9328

 

OR

 

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from                to

 

 

ECOLAB INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

41-0231510

(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

 

 

370 Wabasha Street North, St. Paul, Minnesota

 

55102

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  1-800-232-6522

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

Common Stock, $1.00 par value

 

New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

Preferred Stock Purchase Rights

 

New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. x YES o  NO

 

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. o YES x NO

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. x YES  o NO

 

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (§229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files. x YES o NO

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,”  “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

 

Large accelerated filer x

 

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

 

Smaller reporting company o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). o YES x NO

 

Aggregate market value of voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates of registrant on June 30, 2009:  $9,206,009,000 (see Item 12, under Part III hereof), based on a closing price of registrant’s Common Stock of $38.99 per share.

 

The number of shares of registrant’s Common Stock, par value $1.00 per share, outstanding as of January 31, 2010: 236,263,986 shares.

 

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE

 

1.                Portions of the registrant’s Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2009 (hereinafter referred to as “Annual Report”) are incorporated by reference into Parts I and II.

 

2.                Portions of the registrant’s Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held May 6, 2010 and to be filed within 120 days after the registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2009 (hereinafter referred to as “Proxy Statement”) are incorporated by reference into Part III.

 

 

 



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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

Item 1(a)

General Development of Business

 

Item 1(b)

Financial Information About Operating Segments

 

Item 1(c)

Narrative Description of Business

 

Item 1(d)

Financial Information About Geographic Areas

 

Item 1(e)

Available Information

 

Executive Officers of the Registrant

 

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

 

Item 1B.

Unresolved Staff Comments

 

Item 2.

Properties

 

Item 3.

Legal Proceedings

 

Item 4.

Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

 

 

 

PART II

 

Item 5.

Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

 

Item 6.

Selected Financial Data

 

Item 7.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation

 

Item 7A.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

Item 8.

Financial Statements and Supplementary Data

 

Item 9.

Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure

 

Item 9A.

Controls and Procedures

 

 

 

 

 

PART III

 

Item 10.

Directors, Executive Officers of the Registrant and Corporate Governance

 

Item 11.

Executive Compensation

 

Item 12.

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters

 

Item 13.

Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence

 

Item 14.

Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

 

 

 

PART IV

 

Item 15.

Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

 

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

 

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 



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PART I

 

Except where the context otherwise requires, references in this Form 10-K to either “Ecolab,” “Company,” “we” and “our” are to Ecolab Inc. and its subsidiaries, collectively.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This Annual Report on Form 10-K, including “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation” incorporated by reference into Item 7 of this Form 10-K,  contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  These statements include expectations concerning items such as revenue and earnings growth, raw material and delivered product costs, currency translation, business acquisitions, system implementations, restructuring charges and cost savings, cash flows, loss of customers and bad debt, debt repayments, disputes and claims, environmental and regulatory considerations, share repurchases, global economic conditions and credit risk, pension expenses and potential contributions, new accounting pronouncements, income taxes, including unrecognized tax benefits or uncertain tax positions, borrowing capacity, and liquidity requirements.  Without limiting the foregoing, words or phrases such as “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “we believe,” “we expect,” “estimate,” “project” (including the negative or variations thereof) or similar terminology, generally identify forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements may also represent challenging goals for us.  We caution that undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made.  Some of the factors which could cause results to differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statement are set forth under Item 1A of this Form 10-K, entitled Risk Factors.

 

Item 1.  Business .

 

Item 1(a) General Development of Business .

 

Ecolab was incorporated as a Delaware corporation in 1924.  Our fiscal year is the calendar year ending December 31.

 

During 2009, we executed the following actions to continue to build our business:

 

·                   In February 2009, we acquired assets of the Stackhouse business of CORPAK Medsystems, Inc., a marketer of surgical helmets and smoke evacuators, primarily for use during orthopedic surgeries.  The business, which has annual sales of approximately $4 million, became part of the company’s U.S. Cleaning & Sanitizing operations during the first quarter of 2009.

 

·                   In October 2009, we acquired the ISS pest elimination business in the United Kingdom. The acquisition increases our U.K. Pest Elimination Service capacity, adds scale and strengthens our customer relationships. The business, which has annual sales of approximately $6 million, became part of our International operations in the fourth quarter of 2009.

 

·                   We completed a restructuring plan announced in January 2009 to streamline operations and improve efficiency and effectiveness.  The restructuring included a global workforce reduction and optimization of our supply chain including the reduction of plant and distribution center locations.

 

·                   We continued the roll out of the Ecolab Business Solution (EBS), an extensive project to implement a common set of business processes and systems across Europe.

 

Item 1(b) Financial Information About Operating Segments .

 

The financial information about reportable segments appearing under the heading “Operating Segments” in Note 16, located on pages 52 and 53 of the Annual Report, is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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Item 1(c) Narrative Description of Business .

 

General : Ecolab develops and markets premium products and services for the hospitality, foodservice, healthcare and industrial markets. We provide cleaning and sanitizing products and programs, as well as pest elimination, maintenance and repair services primarily to customers in the foodservice, food and beverage processing, hospitality, healthcare, government and education, retail, textile care, commercial facilities management and vehicle wash sectors.  A strong commitment to customer support and sustainable solutions is a distinguishing characteristic of our business.  Additional information on our business philosophy is found below under the heading “Additional Information — Competition” of this Item 1(c).

 

The following description of our business is based upon our three reportable segments as reported in our consolidated financial statements.  However, we pursue a “Circle the Customer — Circle the Globe” strategy by providing products, systems and services which serve our customer base, and do so on a global basis to meet the needs of our customers’ various operations around the world.  Therefore, one customer may utilize the products or services of all three of the segments and there is interdependence among the operating segments.

 

United States Cleaning & Sanitizing Segment

 

The “United States Cleaning & Sanitizing” segment is comprised of six business units which provide cleaning and sanitizing products and programs to United States markets.

 

Institutional : The Institutional Division is our largest division and sells specialized cleaners and sanitizers for washing dishes, glassware, flatware, foodservice utensils and kitchen equipment (“warewashing”), for on-premise laundries (typically used by hotel and healthcare customers) and for general housekeeping functions, as well as food safety products and equipment, water filters, dishwasher racks and related kitchen sundries to the foodservice, lodging, educational and healthcare industries. The Institutional Division also provides pool and spa treatment programs for hospitality and other commercial customers, as well as a broad range of janitorial cleaning and floor care products and programs to customers in hospitality, health care and commercial facilities. The Institutional Division develops and markets various chemical dispensing device systems, which are made available to customers, to dispense our cleaners and sanitizers. In addition, the Institutional Division markets a lease program comprised of energy-efficient dishwashing machines, detergents, rinse additives and sanitizers, including full machine maintenance.

 

We believe that we are the leading supplier of chemical warewashing products and programs to institutions in the United States.

 

The Institutional Division sells its products and programs primarily through company-employed field sales personnel. We also utilize independent, third-party foodservice, broad-line and janitorial distributors to provide logistics to end customers for accounts that prefer to purchase through these distributors.  Many of these distributors also participate in marketing our product and service offerings to the end customers. We generally provide the same customer support to accounts supplied by these distributors as we do to direct customers.

 

Food & Beverage : Our Food & Beverage Division addresses cleaning and sanitation at the beginning of the food chain to facilitate the processing of products for human consumption. The Division provides detergents, cleaners, sanitizers, lubricants and animal health products, as well as cleaning systems, electronic dispensers and chemical injectors for the application of chemical products, primarily to dairy plants, dairy farms, breweries, soft-drink bottling plants, and meat, poultry and other food processors. The Food & Beverage Division is also a leading developer and marketer of antimicrobial products used in direct contact with meat, poultry, seafood and produce during processing in order to reduce microbial contamination. The Food & Beverage Division also designs, engineers and installs CIP (“clean-in-place”) process control systems and facility cleaning systems for its customer base. Farm products are sold through dealers and independent, third-party distributors, while plant products are sold primarily by our field sales personnel. The Food & Beverage Division also offers water care programs primarily to treat water used for heating and cooling systems and manufacturing processes. In addition, through its Ecovation business, the Food & Beverage Division offers customized

 

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wastewater treatment solutions that also can generate energy.

 

We believe that we are one of the leading suppliers of cleaning and sanitizing products to the dairy plant, dairy farm, food, meat and poultry, and beverage/brewery processor industries in the United States.

 

Kay : Our Kay Division (which consists of certain wholly-owned subsidiaries of Ecolab Inc.) supplies chemical cleaning and sanitizing products primarily to national and regional quick service restaurant chains.  Kay’s products include specialty and general purpose hard surface cleaners, degreasers, sanitizers, polishes, hand care products and assorted cleaning tools.  Products are sold under the “Kay” brand or the customer’s private label. In addition, Kay supports its product sales with employee training programs and technical support designed to meet the special needs of its customers. Kay’s customized cleaning and sanitation programs are designed to reduce labor costs and product usage while increasing sanitation levels, cleaning performance, equipment life and safety levels.

 

Kay employs a direct field sales force which establishes contracts or relationships with national and regional quick service restaurants and franchisees, although the products are sold to distributors who then supply the chain’s or franchisee’s units.

 

We believe that our Kay Division is the leading supplier of chemical cleaning and sanitizing products to the traditional quick service restaurant industry in the United States. While Kay’s customer base has been growing, Kay’s business is largely dependent upon a limited number of major quick service restaurant chains and franchisees.

 

In addition, through Kay’s Food Retail business, the Division supplies cleaning and sanitizing products to the food retail (i.e., grocery store) industry. Food Retail contracts with national and regional food retailers, while products are sold primarily through distributors in fulfillment of those contracts.  Products include specialty and general purpose hard surface cleaners, degreasers, sanitizers, polishes, hand care products, assorted cleaning tools and floor care products. We provide the same customer support to accounts supplied by distributors as to direct customers.

 

Healthcare : Our Healthcare Division provides infection prevention and other healthcare related offerings to acute care hospitals, surgery centers, dental offices and veterinary clinics.  The Healthcare Division’s proprietary infection prevention products (hand hygiene, hard surface disinfectants, instrument cleaners, patient drapes, fluid control products and equipment drapes) are sold primarily under the “Ecolab” and “Microtek” brand names to various departments within the acute care environment (Infection Control, Environmental Services, Central Sterile and Operating Room).  The Healthcare Division’s Microtek Medical business, is a leader in niche branded specialty surgical drapes and fluid control products.  The Healthcare Division sells its products and programs primarily through company-employed field sales personnel but also sells through healthcare distributors.

 

Textile Care : Our Textile Care Division provides chemical laundry products and proprietary dispensing systems, as well as related programs, to large industrial and commercial laundries.  Typically these customers include free-standing laundry plants used by institutions such as hotels, restaurants and healthcare facilities as well as industrial and textile rental laundries. Products and programs include laundry cleaning and specialty products, related dispensing equipment, plus water and energy management which are marketed primarily through company-employed field sales personnel and, to a lesser extent, through independent, third-party distributors. The Textile Care Division’s programs are designed to meet our customers’ needs for exceptional cleaning, while extending the useful life of linen and reducing the customers’ overall operating cost.

 

Vehicle Care : Our Vehicle Care Division provides vehicle appearance products which include soaps, polishes, sealants, wheel and tire treatments and air fresheners. Products are sold to vehicle rental, fleet and consumer car wash and detail operations. Brand names utilized by the Vehicle Care Division include Blue Coral Ò , Black Magic Ò  and Rain-X Ò .

 

United States Other Services Segment

 

The “United States Other Services” segment is comprised of two business units:  Pest Elimination and GCS Service. In general, these businesses provide service or equipment which can augment or extend

 

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our product offering to our business customers as a part of our “Circle the Customer” approach.

 

Pest Elimination : Our Pest Elimination Division provides services designed to detect, eliminate and prevent pests, such as rodents and insects, in restaurants, food and beverage processors, educational and healthcare facilities, hotels, quick service restaurant and grocery operations and other institutional and commercial customers. These services are sold and performed by company-employed field sales and service personnel. In addition, through our EcoSure Food Safety Management business, we provide customized on-site evaluations, training and quality assurance services to foodservice operations.

 

GCS Service : GCS Service provides equipment repair and maintenance services for the commercial food service industry. Repair services are offered for in-warranty repair, acting as the Manufacturer’s Authorized Service Agent, as well as after warranty repair. In addition, GCS Service operates as a parts distributor to repair service companies and end users.

 

International Segment

 

We conduct business in approximately 72 countries outside of the United States through wholly-owned subsidiaries or, in the case of Israel and Venezuela, through joint ventures with local partners. In other countries, selected products are sold by our export operations to distributors, agents or licensees, although the volume of those sales is not significant in terms of our overall revenues. Our largest International operations are located in Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Canada, with smaller operations in Africa and the Middle East.

 

In general, the businesses conducted internationally are similar to those conducted in the United States but are managed on a geographic basis. The businesses which are similar to the United States’ Institutional and Food & Beverage businesses are the largest businesses in our International operations. They are conducted in virtually all of our International locations and, compared to the United States, constitute a larger portion of the overall business. Healthcare and Textile Care are also significant businesses in our International operations, particularly in Europe. Kay has sales in a number of International locations. A significant portion of Kay’s international sales are to international units of United States-based quick service restaurant chains. Consequently, a substantial portion of Kay’s international sales are made either to domestic or internationally-located third-party distributors who serve these chains.

 

Our Pest Elimination business continues to expand its geographic coverage. Since 2001, we have entered markets in Asia, Western Europe, Latin America and South Africa, with the largest operations in France and the United Kingdom.

 

Our other businesses are conducted less extensively in our International locations. However, in general, most of the principal businesses conducted in the United States are also operated in Canada.

 

International businesses are subject to the usual risks of foreign operations, including possible changes in trade and foreign investment laws, tax laws, currency exchange rates and economic and political conditions abroad. The profitability of our International operations has historically been lower than the profitability of our businesses in the United States, due to (i) the smaller scale of International operations where many operating locations are smaller in size, (ii) the additional cost of operating in numerous and diverse foreign jurisdictions and (iii) higher costs of importing certain raw materials and finished goods in some regions.  Proportionately larger investments in sales, technical support and administrative personnel are also necessary in order to facilitate the growth of our International operations.

 

Additional Information

 

Competition : Our business units have two significant classes of competitors. First, each business unit competes with a small number of large companies selling directly or through distributors on a national or international scale. Second, all of our business units have numerous smaller regional or local competitors which focus on more limited geographies, product lines and/or end-user segments.

 

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Our objective is to achieve a significant presence in each of our business markets. In general, competition is based on customer support, product performance and price. We believe we compete principally by providing superior value, premium customer support and differentiated products to help our customers protect their brand reputation. Value is provided by state-of-the-art cleaning, sanitation and maintenance products and systems coupled with high customer support standards and continuing dedication to customer satisfaction. This is made possible, in part, by our significant on-going investment in training and technology and by our standard practice of advising customers on ways to lower operating costs and helping them comply with safety, environmental and sanitation regulations. In addition to our consultative approach, we emphasize our ability to uniformly provide a variety of related premium cleaning and sanitation programs to our customers and to provide that level of customer support to multiple locations of chain customer organizations worldwide. This approach is succinctly stated in our “Circle the Customer - Circle the Globe” strategy which is discussed above in this Item 1(c) under the heading “General.”

 

Sales : Products, systems and services are primarily marketed in domestic and international markets by company-trained field sales personnel who also advise and assist our customers in the proper and efficient use of the products and systems in order to meet a full range of cleaning and sanitation needs. Independent, third-party distributors are utilized in several markets, as described in the business unit descriptions found under the discussion of the three reportable segments above.

 

Number of Employees : We had approximately 26,000 employees as of December 31, 2009.

 

Customers and Classes of Products : We believe that our business is not materially dependent upon a single customer although, as described above in this Item 1(c) under the description of the Kay business, Kay is largely dependent upon a limited number of national and international quick service chains and franchisees. Additionally, although we have a diverse customer base and no customer or distributor constitutes 10 percent or more of our consolidated revenues, we do have customers and independent, third-party distributors, the loss of which could have a material negative effect on results of operations for the affected earnings periods; however, we consider it unlikely that such an event would have a material adverse impact on our financial position. No material part of our business is subject to renegotiation or termination at the election of a governmental unit. We sell two classes of products which each constitute 10 percent or more of our sales. Sales of warewashing products in 2009, 2008 and 2007 approximated 19, 19 and 20 percent, respectively, of our consolidated net sales. In addition, through our Institutional and Textile Care businesses, we sell laundry products and provide customer support to a broad range of laundry customers. Sales of laundry products and services in 2009, 2008 and 2007 approximated 11, 11 and 10 percent, respectively, of our consolidated net sales.

 

Patents and Trademarks : We own and license a number of patents, trademarks and other intellectual property. While we have an active program to protect our intellectual property by filing for patents or trademarks, and pursuing legal action, when appropriate, to prevent infringement, we do not believe that our overall business is materially dependent on any individual patent or trademark.

 

Seasonality : We do experience variability in our quarterly operating results due to seasonal sales volume and business mix fluctuations in our operating segments. Note 17, entitled “Quarterly Financial Data” located on page 54 of the Annual Report, is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Working Capital : We have invested in the past, and will continue to invest in the future, in merchandising equipment consisting primarily of systems used by customers to dispense our cleaning and sanitizing products. Otherwise, we have no unusual working capital requirements.

 

Manufacturing and Distribution : We manufacture most of our products and related equipment in Company-operated manufacturing facilities. Some products are also produced for us by third-party contract manufacturers. Other products and equipment are purchased from third-party suppliers. Additional information on product/equipment sourcing is found in the segment discussions above and additional information on our manufacturing facilities is located beginning at page 15 of this Form 10-K under the heading “Properties.”

 

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Deliveries to customers are made from our manufacturing plants and a network of distribution centers and public logistics service providers. We use common carriers, our own delivery vehicles, and distributors for transport. Additional information on our plant and distribution facilities is located beginning at page 15 of this Form 10-K under the heading “Properties.”

 

Raw Materials : Raw materials purchased for use in manufacturing our products are inorganic chemicals, including alkalis, acids, phosphorous materials, silicates and salts, and organic chemicals, including surfactants and solvents. These materials are generally purchased on an annual contract basis from a diverse group of chemical manufacturers. When practical, global sourcing is used so that purchasing or production locations can be shifted to control product costs at globally competitive levels. Our Healthcare division purchases plastic films and parts to manufacture medical devices that serve the surgical and infection prevention markets.  Pesticides used by our Pest Elimination Division are purchased as finished products under contract or purchase order from the producers or their distributors. We also purchase packaging materials for our manufactured products and components for our specialized cleaning equipment and systems. Most raw materials, or substitutes for those materials, used by us, with the exception of a few specialized chemicals which we manufacture, are available from several suppliers.

 

Research and Development : Our research and development program consists principally of devising and testing new products, processes, techniques and equipment, improving the efficiency of existing ones, improving service program content, and evaluating the environmental compatibility of products. Key disciplines include analytical and formulation chemistry, microbiology, process and packaging engineering and product dispensing technology. Substantially all of our principal products have been developed by our research, development and engineering personnel. At times, technology has also been licensed from third parties to develop offerings. Note 13, entitled “Research Expenditures” located on page 48 of the Annual Report, is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Environmental and Regulatory Considerations : Our businesses are subject to various legislative enactments and regulations relating to the protection of the environment and public health. While we cooperate with governmental authorities and take commercially practicable measures to meet regulatory requirements and avoid or limit environmental effects, some risks are inherent in our businesses. Among the risks are costs associated with transporting and managing hazardous substances, waste disposal and plant site clean-up, fines and penalties if we are found to be in violation of law, as well as modifications, disruptions or discontinuation of certain operations or types of operations including product recalls and reformulations. Additionally, although we are not currently aware of any such circumstances, there can be no assurance that future legislation or enforcement policies will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Environmental and regulatory matters most significant to us are discussed below.

 

Ingredient Legislation : Various laws and regulations have been enacted by state, local and foreign jurisdictions pertaining to the sale of products which contain phosphorous, volatile organic compounds, or other ingredients that may impact human health or the environment. Under California Proposition 65, label disclosures are required for certain products containing chemicals listed by California. Chemical management initiatives that promote pollution prevention through research and development of safer chemicals and safer chemical processes are being advanced by certain states, including California, Maine, Massachusetts, Minnesota and Oregon.  Environmentally preferable purchasing programs for cleaning products have been enacted in five states, and in 2009 were considered in 17 additional states.  Cleaning product ingredient disclosure legislation was introduced in the U.S. Congress in 2009.  To date, we generally have been able to comply with such legislative requirements by reformulation or labeling modifications. Such legislation has not had a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows to date.

 

TSCA Re-authorization of the Toxic Substances Control Act (“TSCA”) and an update of the chemicals on the TSCA Inventory (the so-called “reset” of the TSCA Inventory) are being discussed in the U.S. Congress.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is

 

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also more aggressively using the existing TSCA tools to manage chemicals of concern.  Ecolab anticipates that compliance with new requirements under TSCA could be similar to the costs associated with REACH in the European Union, which is discussed below.

 

REACH : The European Union is enacting the regulatory framework for the Registration, Evaluation and Authorization of Chemicals (“REACH”). It established a new European Chemicals Agency (“ECHA”) in Helsinki, Finland, which is responsible for evaluating data to determine hazards and risks and to manage this program for authorizing chemicals for sale and distribution in Europe. Ecolab has met the pre-registration requirements of REACH, and is on track to meet the upcoming registration deadlines and requirements in 2010 and beyond.  To help manage this new program, Ecolab is simplifying its product line and working with chemical suppliers to comply with registration requirements.  The impact of REACH will also be felt by our competitors. Potential costs to us are not yet fully quantifiable, but are not expected to have a material adverse effect our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

 

GHS In 2003, the United Nations issued a standard on hazard communication and labeling of chemical products known as the Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (“GHS”). GHS is designed to facilitate international trade and increase safe handling and use of hazardous chemicals through a worldwide system that classifies chemicals based on their intrinsic hazards and communicates information about those hazards through standardized product labels and safety data sheets (“SDSs”). Most countries in which we operate will adopt GHS-related legislation. The primary cost of compliance will revolve around reclassifying products and revising SDSs and product labels, and we are working toward a phased-in approach to mitigate the costs of GHS implementation.  The impact of GHS will also be felt by our competitors.  Potential costs to us are not yet fully quantifiable, but are not expected to have a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

 

Pesticide and Biocide Legislation : Various international, federal and state environmental laws and regulations govern the manufacture and/or use of pesticides. We manufacture and sell certain disinfecting and sanitizing products which kill or reduce microorganisms (bacteria, viruses, fungi) on hard environmental surfaces and on certain food products. Such products constitute “pesticides” or “antimicrobial pesticides” under the current definitions of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (“FIFRA”), as amended by the Food Quality Protection Act of 1996, the principal federal statute governing the manufacture, labeling, handling and use of pesticides. We maintain approximately 270 product registrations with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”). Registration entails the necessity to meet certain efficacy, toxicity and labeling requirements and to pay on-going registration fees. In addition, each state in which these products are sold requires registration and payment of a fee. In general, the states impose no substantive requirements different from those required by FIFRA. However, California and certain other states have adopted additional regulatory programs, and California imposes a tax on total pesticide sales in that state. While the cost of complying with rules as to pesticides has not had a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows to date, the costs and delays in receiving necessary approvals for these products continue to increase. Total fees paid to the EPA and the states to obtain or maintain pesticide registrations, and for the California tax, were approximately $3,100,000 in 2009 and $3,308,000 in 2008.

 

In Europe, the Biocidal Product Directive (98/8/EC) (“BPD”) established a program to evaluate and authorize marketing of biocidal active substances and products. We are working with suppliers and industry groups to manage requirements associated with the BPD, and have met the first relevant deadline of the program by the timely submission of dossiers for active substances. Anticipated registration costs, which will be incurred through the BPD phase-in period, will be significant; however, these costs are not expected to significantly affect our consolidated results of operations or cash flows in any one reporting period, or our financial position.

 

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In addition, our Pest Elimination Division applies restricted-use pesticides that it generally purchases from third parties. That Division must comply with certain standards pertaining to the use of such pesticides and to the licensing of employees who apply such pesticides. Such regulations are enforced primarily by the states or local jurisdictions in conformity with federal regulations. We have not experienced material difficulties in complying with these requirements.

 

FDA Antimicrobial Product Requirements : Various laws and regulations have been enacted by federal, state, local and foreign jurisdictions regulating certain products manufactured and sold by us for controlling microbial growth on humans, animals, foods and medical devices. In the United States, these requirements generally are administered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”). However, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and EPA also may share in regulatory jurisdiction of antimicrobials applied to food. The FDA codifies “Good Manufacturing Practices” for these products in order to ensure product quality, safety and effectiveness.  The FDA also has been expanding requirements applicable to such products, including proposing regulations in a Tentative Final Monograph for Healthcare Antiseptic Drug Products dated June 17, 1994, which may impose additional requirements associated with antimicrobial hand care products and associated costs when finalized by the FDA. To date, such requirements have not had a material adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

 

As a manufacturer and marketer of medical devices, we also are subject to regulation by the FDA and corresponding regulatory agencies of the state, local and foreign governments in which we sell our products.  These regulations govern the development, testing, packaging, labeling and marketing of medical devices and manufacturing procedures relating to these devices.  We also are required to register with the FDA as a device manufacturer and to comply with the FDA’s Quality System Regulations, which require that we have a quality system for the design and production of our products intended for commercial distribution in the United States and satisfy recordkeeping requirements with respect to our manufacturing, testing and control activities.  Countries in the European Union require that certain products being sold within their jurisdictions obtain a “CE mark”, an international symbol of adherence to quality assurance standards, and be manufactured in compliance with certain requirements.  We have CE mark approval to sell various medical device products in Europe.  Our other international non-European operations also are subject to government regulation and country-specific rules and regulations.  Regulators at the federal, state and local level have imposed, are currently considering and are expected to continue to impose regulations on medical and other waste.  No prediction can be made of the potential effect of any such future regulations, and there can be no assurance that future legislation or regulations will not increase the costs of our products or prohibit the sale or use of certain products.

 

Other Environmental Legislation : Our manufacturing plants are subject to federal, state, local or foreign jurisdiction laws and regulations relating to discharge of hazardous substances into the environment and to the transportation, handling and disposal of such substances. The primary federal statutes that apply to our activities in the United States are the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. We are also subject to the Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act of 1986, which imposes certain reporting requirements as to emissions of hazardous substances into the air, land and water. Similar legal requirements apply to Ecolab’s facilities globally.  We make capital investments and expenditures to comply with environmental laws and regulations, to ensure employee safety and to carry out our announced environmental sustainability principles. To date, such expenditures have not had a significant adverse effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows. Our capital expenditures for environmental health and safety projects worldwide were approximately $3,768,000 in 2009 and $8,900,000 in 2008.  Approximately $9,000,000 has been budgeted globally for projects in 2010.

 

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Climate Change : Various laws and regulations pertaining to climate change have been implemented or are being considered for implementation at the international, national, regional and state levels, particularly as they relate to the reduction of greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions. None of these laws and regulations directly applies to Ecolab at the present time; however, as a matter of corporate policy, Ecolab supports a balanced approach to reducing GHG emissions while sustaining economic growth and competitiveness. Ecolab has joined U.S. EPA’s Climate Leaders program, and as part of that program we have pledged a U.S. GHG emission reduction goal of 20% per dollar sales from 2006 to 2012.  To achieve this target we have developed a GHG inventory of the six major greenhouse gases and report progress annually based on detailed U.S. EPA protocols and guidance.

 

Environmental Remediation and Proceedings : Along with numerous other potentially responsible parties (“PRPs”), we are currently involved with waste disposal site clean-up activities imposed by the federal Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”) or state equivalents at 15 sites in the United States. Additionally, we have similar liability at seven sites outside the United States. In general, under CERCLA, we and each other PRP that actually contributes hazardous substances to a Superfund site are jointly and severally liable for the costs associated with cleaning up the site. Customarily, the PRPs will work with the EPA to agree and implement a plan for site remediation.

 

Based on an analysis of our experience with such environmental proceedings, our estimated share of all hazardous materials deposited on the sites referred to in the preceding paragraph, and our estimate of the contribution to be made by other PRPs which we believe have the financial ability to pay their shares, we have accrued our best estimate of our probable future costs relating to such known sites. Unasserted claims are not reflected in the accrual. In establishing accruals, potential insurance reimbursements are not included. The accrual is not discounted. It is not feasible to predict when the amounts accrued will be paid due to the uncertainties inherent in the environmental remediation and associated regulatory processes.

 

Our worldwide net expenditures for contamination remediation were approximately $1,725,000 in 2009 and $614,000 in 2008.  Our worldwide accruals at December 31, 2009 for probable future remediation expenditures, excluding potential insurance reimbursements, totaled approximately $3,878,000. We review our exposure for contamination remediation costs periodically and our accruals are adjusted as considered appropriate. While the final resolution of these issues could result in costs below or above current accruals and, therefore, have an impact on our consolidated financial results in a future reporting period, we believe the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material effect on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or liquidity.

 

Item 1(d) Financial Information About Geographic Areas .

 

The financial information about geographic areas appearing under the heading “Operating Segments” in Note 16, located on pages 52 and 53 of the Annual Report, is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 1(e) Available Information .

 

Our Internet address is www.ecolab.com. Copies of our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to these reports, are available free of charge on our website at www.ecolab.com/investor as soon as reasonably practicable after such material is filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

In addition, the following governance materials are available on our website at www.ecolab.com/investor/governance:  (i)  charters of the Audit, Compensation, Finance and Governance Committees of our Board of Directors; (ii) our Board’s Corporate Governance Principles; and (iii) our Code of Conduct and Code of Ethics for Senior Officers and Finance Associates.

 

10


 


Table of Contents

 

Executive Officers of the Registrant .

 

The persons listed in the following table are our current executive officers. Officers are elected annually. There is no family relationship among any of the directors or executive officers, and except as otherwise noted, no executive officer has been involved during the past ten years in any legal proceedings described in applicable Securities and Exchange Commission regulations.

 

Name

 

Age

 

Office

 

Positions Held Since
Jan. 1, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Douglas M. Baker, Jr.

 

51

 

Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer

 

May 2006 – Present

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Jan. 2005 – Apr. 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Christophe Beck

 

42

 

Executive Vice President – Institutional North America

 

May 2009 - Present

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Vice President and General Manager Institutional North America Full Service Restaurants

 

Jan. 2008 – Apr. 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Vice President Strategy and Marketing Development

 

May 2007 – Dec. 2007 (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lawrence T. Bell

 

61

 

General Counsel and Secretary

 

Feb. 2008 – Present

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

Jan. 2005 – Jan. 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Larry L. Berger

 

49

 

Senior Vice President and Chief Technical Officer

 

Apr. 2008 – Present (2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

John J. Corkrean

 

44

 

Vice President and Corporate Controller

 

Apr. 2008 – Present

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vice President and Treasurer

 

May 2006 – Mar. 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professional Products Vice President Distributor Sales

 

Apr. 2005 – Apr. 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Professional Products Vice President and Controller

 

Jan. 2005 – Mar. 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Steven L. Fritze

 

55

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

Feb. 2008 – Present

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

 

Jan. 2005 – Jan. 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert K. Gifford

 

52

 

Senior Vice President – Global Supply Chain

 

Oct. 2005 – Present

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vice President – Supply Chain Management

 

Jan. 2005 – Sep. 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas W. Handley

 

55

 

President, Global Food & Beverage

 

Sep. 2009 - Present

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

President – Industrial and Services North America Sector

 

Dec. 2007 – Aug. 2009

 

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Table of Contents

 

Name

 

Age

 

Office

 

Positions Held Since
Jan. 1, 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thomas W. Handley (con’t.)

 

 

 

Executive Vice President – Industrial Sector

 

Apr. 2006 – Nov. 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Vice President – Specialty Sector

 

Jan. 2005 – Mar. 2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael A. Hickey

 

48

 

Executive Vice President, Service Sector

 

Jan. 2010 - Present

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Vice President – Global Business Development and General Manager GCS Service

 

Jan. 2009 – Dec. 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Vice President – Global Business Development

 

Jan. 2006 – Dec. 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Vice President – Global / Corporate Accounts

 

Nov. 2005 – Dec. 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vice President – Global/Corporate Accounts, Institutional Division

 

Jan. 2005 – Oct. 2005

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Phillip J. Mason

 

59

 

President – International Sector

 

Dec. 2007 - Present

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Vice President – Asia Pacific and Latin America

 

Jan. 2005 – Nov. 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Michael L. Meyer

 

52

 

Senior Vice President-Human Resources

 

Feb. 2008 – Present (3)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James A. Miller (4)

 

53

 

President, Specialty, Industrial & Services

 

Sep. 2009 - Present

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

President – Institutional North America Sector

 

Dec. 2007 – Aug. 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Vice President – Institutional Sector North America

 

Jan. 2005 – Nov. 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Susan K. Nestegard

 

49

 

President, Global Healthcare Sector

 

Jan. 2010 - Present

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Vice President – Global Healthcare Sector

 

Apr. 2008 – Dec. 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Vice President – Research, Development and Engineering and Chief Technical Officer

 

Jan. 2005 – Mar. 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Robert P. Tabb

 

59

 

Vice President and Chief Information Officer

 

Jan. 2005 – Present

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

James H. White

 

45

 

President-EMEA Sector

 

Dec. 2007 – Present

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Executive Vice President – EMEA

 

Apr. 2007 – Nov. 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Vice President – Strategy and Marketing Development

 

May 2006 – Mar. 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Vice President – Strategic Planning

 

Oct. 2005 – Apr. 2006 (5)

 

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(1)          Prior to joining Ecolab in 2007, Mr. Beck was employed for 15 years by Nestlé S.A. in various management and executive positions including assignments in Germany, Switzerland and Italy.

 

(2)          Prior to joining Ecolab in 2008, Dr. Berger spent 22 years with E.I. duPont de Nemours and Company, most recently as Chief Technical Officer for DuPont Nonwovens.

 

(3)          Prior to joining Ecolab in 2008, Mr. Meyer was employed for 24 years by Abbott Laboratories, most recently as Vice President Vascular Business Latin America and Canada. Mr. Meyer’s management and executive experience includes 22 years in Human Resources and assignments in Canada and Hong Kong.

 

(4)          In May 2000, Mr. Miller became President and CEO of Busy Body, Inc., a privately held retailer of home fitness equipment in the western U.S., to remedy operations that were underperforming the owners’ expectations.  Busy Body, Inc. filed for Chapter 11 protection under federal bankruptcy laws in May 2001 and was subsequently liquidated.  Mr. Miller re-joined the Company in October 2001.

 

(5)          Prior to joining Ecolab in 2005, Mr. White was employed by International Multifoods, and served as President of its U.S. Consumer Products Division. Mr. White’s employment also includes marketing experience at General Mills, and nine years at the Pillsbury Company in a succession of management positions.

 

Item 1A. Risk Factors .

 

The following are important factors which could affect our financial performance and could cause our actual results for future periods to differ materially from our anticipated results or other expectations, including those expressed in any forward-looking statements made in this Form 10-K. See the section entitled Forward-Looking Statements located on page 2 of this Form 10-K.

 

We may also refer to this disclosure to identify factors that may cause results to differ from those expressed in other forward-looking statements made in oral presentations, including telephone conferences and/or webcasts open to the public.

 

Except as may be required under applicable law, we undertake no duty to update our Forward-Looking Statements.

 

Our results depend upon the continued vitality of the markets we serve :  Economic downturns, and in particular downturns in the foodservice, hospitality, travel, health care and food processing industries, can adversely impact our end-users who are sensitive to changes in travel and dining activities. The recent decline in economic activity is adversely affecting these markets. During such downturns, these end-users typically reduce their volume of purchases of cleaning and sanitizing products, which has had, and may continue to have, an adverse impact on our business.

 

Our results are impacted by general worldwide economic factors:  Economic factors such as the worldwide economy, interest rates and currency movements including, in particular, our exposure to foreign currency risk have affected our business in the past and may have a material adverse impact on our business in the future.  In 2008 and 2009 the global economy experienced considerable disruption and volatility, and the disruption was particularly acute in the global credit markets. While these disruptions have not impaired our ability to access credit markets, there can be no assurance that there will not be a further deterioration in the markets in which we operate. As a result, ongoing disruption in the global economy could adversely affect our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

 

Our results can be adversely affected by fluctuations in the cost of raw materials :  The prices of raw materials used in our business can fluctuate from time to time, and have increased significantly in recent years. Changes in oil or raw material prices, unavailability of adequate and reasonably priced raw materials or substitutes for those raw materials, or the inability to obtain or renew supply agreements on favorable terms can adversely affect our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows. In addition, recent volatility and disruption in economic activity and conditions could disrupt or delay the performance of our suppliers or otherwise impact our ability to obtain raw materials at favorable prices or on favorable terms, which may adversely affect our business.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Our growth depends upon our ability to successfully compete with respect to value, product offerings and customer support :  Our competitive market is made up of numerous national, regional and local competitors. Our ability to compete depends in part upon our ability to maintain a superior technological capability and to continue to identify, develop and commercialize innovative, high value-added products for niche applications. There can be no assurance that we will be able to accomplish this or that technological developments by our competitors will not place certain of our products at a competitive disadvantage in the future. In addition, certain of the new products that we have under development will be offered in markets in which we do not currently compete, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to compete successfully in those new markets. If we fail to timely introduce new technologies on a timely basis, we may lose market share and our consolidated results of operations, financial position, or cash flows could be adversely affected.

 

We enter into multi-year contracts with customers that can impact our results :  We enter into multi-year contracts with some of our customers which include terms affecting our pricing flexibility. There can be no assurance that these restraints will not have an adverse impact on our margins and operating income.

 

Consolidation of our customers and vendors can affect our results :  Customers and vendors in the foodservice, hospitality, travel, healthcare and food processing industries have been consolidating in recent years and that trend may continue. This consolidation could have an adverse impact on our ability to retain customers and on our margins and operating income.

 

If we are unsuccessful in integrating acquisitions, our business could be adversely affected :  As part of our long-term strategy, we seek to acquire complementary businesses. There can be no assurance that we will find attractive acquisition candidates or succeed at effectively managing the integration of acquired businesses into existing businesses. If the underlying business performance of such acquired businesses deteriorates, the expected synergies from such transactions do not materialize or we fail to successfully integrate new businesses into our existing businesses, our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows could be adversely affected.

 

If we are unsuccessful in executing on business investments, our business could be adversely affected :  We are making investments to develop business systems and optimize our business structure as part of our ongoing efforts to improve our efficiency and returns. If the projects in which we are investing are not successfully executed, our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows could be adversely affected.

 

Our business depends on our ability to comply with governmental regulations and we may be adversely affected by changes in laws and regulations :  Our business is subject to numerous regulations relating to the environment, including evolving climate change standards, and to the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and use of our products. Compliance with these regulations exposes us to potential financial liability and increases our operating costs. Regulation of our products and operations continues to increase with more stringent standards, causing increased costs of operations and potential for liability if a violation occurs. The potential cost to us relating to environmental and product registration laws and regulations is uncertain due to factors such as the unknown magnitude and type of possible contamination and clean-up costs, the complexity and evolving nature of laws and regulations, and the timing and expense of compliance. Changes to current laws (including tax laws), regulations and policies could impose new restrictions, costs or prohibitions on our current practices and reduce our profits.  In addition, changes in accounting standards, including the adoption effective January 1, 2007 of FASB Interpretation No. 48 “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109”, could increase the volatility of our quarterly tax rate.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Severe public health outbreaks may adversely impact our business :  Our business could be adversely affected by the effect of a public health epidemic.  The United States and other countries have experienced, and may experience in the future, public health outbreaks such as Avian Flu, SARS and H1N1 influenza.  A prolonged occurrence of a contagious disease such as these could result in a significant downturn in the foodservice, hospitality and travel industries and also may result in health or other government authorities imposing restrictions on travel further impacting our end markets.  Any of these events could result in a significant drop in demand for some of our products and services and adversely affect our business.

 

Extraordinary events may significantly impact our business :  The occurrence of (a) litigation or claims, (b) the loss or insolvency of a major customer or distributor, (c) war (including acts of terrorism or hostilities which impact our markets), (d) natural or manmade disasters, or (e) severe weather conditions affecting the foodservice, hospitality and travel industries may have a significant, adverse impact on our business.

 

Defense of litigation, particularly certain types of actions such as antitrust, patent infringement, wage hour and class action lawsuits, can be costly and time consuming even if ultimately successful, and if not successful could have a material adverse impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

 

While we have a diverse customer base and no customer or distributor constitutes 10 percent or more of our consolidated revenues, we do have customers and independent, third-party distributors, the loss of which could have a material negative effect on our consolidated results of operations for the affected earnings periods; however, we consider it unlikely that such an event would have a material adverse impact on our financial position.

 

War (including acts of terrorism or hostilities), natural or manmade disasters or severe weather conditions affecting the foodservice, hospitality and travel industries cause a downturn in the business of restaurants, motels and hotels and other of our customers, which in turn can have a material adverse impact on our consolidated results of operations, financial position, and cash flows.

 

We depend on key personnel to lead our business :  Our continued success will largely depend on our ability to attract and retain a high caliber of talent and on the efforts and abilities of our executive officers and certain other key employees. Our operations could be adversely affected if for any reason such officers or key employees did not remain with us.

 

Item 1B.  Unresolved Staff Comments .

 

We have no unresolved comments from the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Item 2.  Properties .

 

Our manufacturing philosophy is to manufacture products wherever an economic, process or quality assurance advantage exists or where proprietary manufacturing techniques dictate in-house production. Currently, most products that we sell are manufactured at our facilities.

 

Our manufacturing facilities produce chemical products or equipment for all of our businesses, although the businesses constituting the United States Other Services segment purchase the majority of their products and equipment from outside suppliers. Our chemical production process consists primarily of blending and packaging powders and liquids and casting solids. Our equipment manufacturing operations consist primarily of producing chemical product dispensers and injectors and other mechanical equipment, medical devices and dishwasher racks and related sundries and dish machine refurbishment.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The following table profiles our main manufacturing facilities with ongoing production activities. In general, manufacturing facilities located in the United States serve the “United States Cleaning & Sanitizing” segment and facilities located outside of the United States serve the “International” segment. However, certain United States facilities do manufacture products for export which are used by the International segment. The facilities having export involvement are marked with an asterisk (*).

 

ECOLAB OPERATIONS PLANT PROFILES

 

Location

 

Approximate
Size (Sq. Ft.)

 

Types of Products

 

Majority
Owned or
Leased

UNITED STATES

 

 

 

 

 

 

Joliet, IL *

 

610,000

 

Solids, Liquids, Emulsions, Powders

 

Owned

South Beloit, IL *

 

313,000

 

Equipment

 

Owned

Garland, TX *

 

239,000

 

Solids, Liquids, Emulsions

 

Owned

Martinsburg, WV

 

228,000

 

Liquids, Emulsions, Waxes

 

Owned

Greensboro, NC

 

193,000

 

Solids, Liquids, Powders

 

Owned

San Jose, CA

 

175,000

 

Bulk Liquids

 

Owned

McDonough, GA*

 

141,000

 

Solids, Liquids, Emulsions

 

Owned

Eagan, MN *

 

133,000

 

Solids, Liquids, Emulsions, Powders

 

Owned

Huntington, IN *

 

127,000

 

Liquids

 

Owned

City of Industry, CA

 

125,000

 

Liquids, Emulsions

 

Owned

Elk Grove Village, IL *

 

115,000

 

Equipment

 

Leased

Fort Worth, TX

 

101,000

 

Equipment

 

Leased

Jacksonville, FL *

 

88,000

 

Medical Devices

 

Leased

Carrollton, TX

 

70,000

 

Liquids

 

Owned

Tyler, TX *

 

63,000

 

Medical Devices

 

Leased

Columbus, MS

 

49,000

 

Medical Devices

 

Owned

St. Louis, MO

 

37,000

 

Equipment

 

Leased

INTERNATIONAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

Chalons, FRANCE

 

280,000

 

Liquids, Powders

 

Owned

Nieuwegein, NETHERLANDS

 

168,000

 

Powders

 

Owned

La Romana, DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

 

160,000

 

Medical Devices

 

Leased

Tessenderlo, BELGIUM

 

153,000

 

Solids, Liquids

 

Owned

Melbourne, AUSTRALIA

 

145,000

 

Liquids, Powders

 

Owned

Rozzano, ITALY

 

126,000

 

Liquids

 

Owned

Mississauga, CANADA

 

120,000

 

Liquids

 

Leased

Johannesburg, SOUTH AFRICA

 

100,000

 

Liquids, Powders

 

Owned

Hamilton, NEW ZEALAND

 

96,000

 

Solids, Liquids, Powders

 

Owned

Mullingar, IRELAND

 

74,000

 

Liquids

 

Leased

Mosta, MALTA

 

73,000

 

Medical Devices

 

Leased

Sao Paulo, BRAZIL

 

62,000

 

Solids, Liquids

 

Leased

Shika, JAPAN

 

60,000

 

Liquids

 

Owned

Santiago, CHILE

 

60,000

 

Liquids, Powders

 

Leased

Revesby, AUSTRALIA

 

59,000

 

Liquids, Powders

 

Owned

Cheadle (Hulme), UNITED KINGDOM

 

53,000

 

Liquids

 

Leased

 

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Table of Contents

 

Location

 

Approximate
Size (Sq. Ft.)

 

Types of Products

 

Majority
Owned or
Leased

Guangzhou, CHINA

 

50,000

 

Liquids, Powders

 

Leased

Baglan, UNITED KINGDOM

 

50,000

 

Liquids

 

Leased

Noda, JAPAN

 

49,000

 

Solids, Liquids, Powders

 

Owned

Siegsdorf, GERMANY

 

42,000

 

Equipment

 

Owned

Zutphen, NETHERLANDS

 

41,000

 

Medical Devices

 

Leased

Mexico City, MEXICO

 

40,000

 

Liquids, Powders

 

Owned

Maribor, SLOVENIA

 

39,000

 

Liquids, Powders

 

Owned

Leeds, UNITED KINGDOM

 

35,000

 

Liquids

 

Owned

Pilar, ARGENTINA

 

30,000

 

Liquids, Powders

 

Owned

Shanghai, CHINA

 

27,000

 

Solids, Liquids, Powders

 

Owned

Perth, AUSTRALIA

 

27,000

 

Liquids, Powders

 

Owned

Singapore, SINGAPORE

 

25,000

 

Liquids, Powders

 

Owned

Dar es Salaam, TANZANIA

 

23,000

 

Liquids, Powders

 

Leased

Seoul, SOUTH KOREA

 

22,000

 

Liquids, Powders

 

Owned

Acuna, MEXICO

 

21,000

 

Medical Devices

 

Leased

Racibor, POLAND

 

20,000

 

Liquids

 

Leased

Mandras, GREECE

 

18,000

 

Liquids

 

Owned

Varssesveld, NETHERLANDS

 

17,000

 

Medical Devices

 

Leased

San Jose, COSTA RICA

 

11,000

 

Liquids, Powders

 

Owned

Bogota, COLOMBIA

 

11,000

 

Liquids

 

Leased

Cikarang, INDONESIA

 

10,000

 

Solids, Liquids, Powders

 

Owned

Bangkok, THAILAND

 

10,000

 

Liquids, Powders

 

Owned

Manilla, PHILIPPINES

 

8,000

 

Liquids, Powders

 

Owned

 

Our manufacturing facilities are adequate to meet our existing in-house production needs.  We continue to invest in our plant sites to maintain viable operations and to add capacity as necessary to meet business imperatives.

 

Most of our manufacturing plants also serve as distribution centers. In addition, we operate distribution centers around the world, most of which are leased, and utilize public logistics service providers to facilitate the distribution of our products and services. In the United States, our sales and service associates are located in approximately 97 leased offices. Additional sales offices are located internationally.

 

Our corporate headquarters is comprised of three adjacent multi-storied buildings located in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota. The main 19-story building was constructed to our specifications and is leased through 2013. Thereafter, it is subject to multiple renewals at our option. The second building is leased through 2011 with additional options available. The third building is owned. The corporate headquarters includes an employee training center. A 90 acre campus in Eagan, Minnesota is owned and provides for future growth. The Eagan facility houses our research and development and data center requirements as well as several of our administrative functions.

 

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Item 3. Legal Proceedings .

 

Note 14, entitled “Commitments and Contingencies” located on page 48 of the Annual Report, is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Other matters arising under laws relating to protection of the environment are discussed at Item 1(c) above, under the heading “Environmental and Regulatory Considerations.”

 

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders .

 

No matters were submitted to a vote of our security holders during the fourth quarter of 2009.

 

PART II

 

Item 5.  Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities .

 

Market Information : Our Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “ECL.” The Common Stock is also traded on an unlisted basis on certain other United States exchanges. The high and low sales prices of our Common Stock on the consolidated transaction reporting system during 2009 and 2008 were as follows:

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

Quarter

 

High

 

Low

 

High

 

Low

 

First

 

$

36.78

 

$

29.27

 

$

52.35

 

$

42.52

 

Second

 

$

40.04

 

$

34.11

 

$

48.91

 

$

42.89

 

Third

 

$

47.88

 

$

36.89

 

$

52.16

 

$

42.00

 

Fourth

 

$

46.89

 

$

43.39

 

$

49.99

 

$

29.56

 

 

The closing Common Stock price on February 1, 2010 was $44.37.

 

Holders :  On February 1, 2010, we had 5,041 holders of Common Stock of record.

 

Dividends :  We have paid Common Stock dividends for 73 consecutive years. Quarterly cash dividends of $0.13 per share were declared in February, May and August 2008. Cash dividends of $0.14 per share were declared in December 2008, and February, May and August 2009. A dividend of $0.155 per share was declared in December 2009.

 

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities :

 

Period

 

(a)
Total number of
shares
purchased (1)

 

(b)
Average price paid
per share (2)

 

(c)
Number of shares
purchased as part of
publicly announced
plans or programs(3)

 

(d)
Maximum number of
shares that may yet
be purchased under
the plans or
programs(3)

 

October 1-31, 2009

 

410

 

$

46.0516

 

0

 

3,945,862

 

November 1-30, 2009

 

289,366

 

$

44.4382

 

285,473

 

3,660,389

 

December 1-31, 2009

 

986,426

 

$

44.9821

 

939,605

 

2,720,784

 

Total

 

1,276,202

 

$

44.8591

 

1,225,078

 

2,720,784

(3)

 

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(1)                     Includes 51,124 shares reacquired from employees and/or directors as swaps for the cost of stock options, or shares surrendered to satisfy minimum statutory tax obligations under our stock incentive plans.

 

(2)                     The average price paid per share includes brokerage commissions associated with publicly announced plan purchases plus the value of such other reacquired shares.

 

(3)                     As announced on October 26, 2006, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 10,000,000 shares of Common Stock, including shares to be repurchased under Rule 10b5-1 of The Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  As announced on February 26, 2010, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 10,000,000 additional shares of Common Stock, including shares to be repurchased under Rule 10b5-1.  We intend to repurchase all shares under such authorizations, for which no expiration date has been established, in open market or privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions.

 

Item 6.  Selected Financial Data .

 

The comparative data for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005  inclusive, which are set forth under the heading entitled “Summary Operating and Financial Data” located on pages 56 and 57 of the Annual Report, are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operation .

 

The material appearing under the heading entitled “Financial Discussion,” located on pages 21 through 32 of the Annual Report, is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 7A.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk .

 

The material appearing under the heading entitled “Market Risk,” located on page 31 of the Annual Report, is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data .

 

The financial statements and material which are an integral part of the financial statements listed under Item 15(a)(1) below and located on pages 33 through 57 of the Annual Report, are incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure .

 

None.

 

Item 9A. Controls and Procedures .
 

Disclosure Controls and Procedures : As of December 31, 2009, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as amended). Based upon that evaluation, our Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective.

 

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting : Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting.  Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on our evaluation under this framework, our management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2009.

 

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The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, has audited the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009. Their report, and our management reports, can be found in our Annual Report, the relevant portion of which has been filed as Exhibit (13) to this Form 10-K and is incorporated into Item 8 of this Form 10-K.

 

During the period October 1 - December 31, 2009, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART III

 

Item 10.  Directors, Executive Officers of the Registrant and Corporate Governance .

 

Information about our directors is incorporated by reference from the discussion under the heading “Proposal 1: Election of Directors” located in the Proxy Statement. Information about compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is incorporated by reference from the discussion under the heading “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance” located in the Proxy Statement. Information about our Audit Committee, including the members of the Committee, and our Audit Committee financial experts, is incorporated by reference from the discussion under the heading “Corporate Governance,” and sub-headings “Board Committees” and “Audit Committee,” located in the Proxy Statement. Information about our Code of Conduct is incorporated by reference from the discussion under the heading “Corporate Governance Materials and Code of Conduct” located in the Proxy Statement.  Information regarding our executive officers is presented under the heading “Executive Officers of the Registrant” in Part I on pages 11 through 13 of this Form 10-K, and is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 11. Executive Compensation .

 

Information appearing under the headings entitled “Executive Compensation” and “Director Compensation” located in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference. However, pursuant to Instructions to Item 407(e)(5) of Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-K, the material appearing under the sub-heading “Compensation Committee Report” shall not be deemed to be “filed” with the Commission, other than as provided in this Item 11.

 

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters .

 

Information appearing under the heading entitled “Security Ownership” located in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

A total of 560,985 shares of Common Stock held by our directors and executive officers, some of whom may be deemed to be “affiliates” of the Company, have been excluded from the computation of market value of our Common Stock on the cover page of this Form 10-K. This total represents that portion of the shares reported as beneficially owned by our directors and executive officers as of June 30, 2009, which are actually issued and outstanding.

 

Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions and Director Independence .

 

Information appearing under the headings entitled “Director Independence Standards and Determinations” and “Related Person Transactions” located in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

Item 14.  Principal Accountant Fees and Services .

 

Information appearing under the heading entitled “Audit Fees” located in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.

 

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PART IV

 

Item 15.  Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules .

 

(a)(1)                        The following financial statements of the Company, included in the Annual Report, are incorporated into Item 8 hereof.

 

(i)             Consolidated Statement of Income for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, Annual Report page 33.

 

(ii)            Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2009 and 2008, Annual Report page 34.

 

(iii)           Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, Annual Report page 35.

 

(iv)           Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income and Equity for the years ended December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007, Annual Report page 36.

 

(v)            Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, Annual Report pages 37 through 54.

 

(vi)           Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, Annual Report page 55.

 

(b)(2)                       All financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or the accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements. All significant majority-owned subsidiaries are included in the filed consolidated financial statements.

 

The following documents are filed as exhibits to this Report. We will, upon request and payment of a fee not exceeding the rate at which copies are available from the Securities and Exchange Commission, furnish copies of any of the following exhibits to stockholders.

 

(3)A.        Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Ecolab Inc., dated as of February 27, 2006, effective as of March 13, 2006 — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3)A of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

B.        By-Laws, as amended through August 1, 2008 — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3.1) of our Form 8-K dated November 10, 2008.

 

(4)A.        Common Stock - see Exhibits (3)A and (3)B.

 

B.        Form of Common Stock Certificate effective February 28, 2007 — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)B of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

C.        Rights Agreement, dated as of February 24, 2006, between Ecolab Inc. and Computershare Investor Services, LLC, as Rights Agent, which includes the following exhibits thereto: (i) Exhibit A — Form of Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and (ii) Exhibit B — Form of Rights Certificate — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)C of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

D.        Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of January 9, 2001, between Ecolab Inc. and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. (as successor in interest to J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association and Bank One, NA) as Trustee - Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)(A) of our Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 23, 2001.

 

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E.        Officer’s Certificate establishing terms and conditions of 6.875% Notes due February 1, 2011 - Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(B) of our Form 8-K dated January 23, 2001.

 

F.        Form of 6.875% Note due February 2, 2011 - Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(C) of our Form 8-K dated January 23, 2001.

 

G.        Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 8, 2008, between Ecolab Inc. and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of our Form 8-K dated February 8, 2008.

 

H.        Form of 4.875% Note due February 15, 2015 — Included in Exhibit (4)G above.

 

Copies of other constituent instruments defining the rights of holders of our long-term debt are not filed herewith, pursuant to Section (b)(4)(iii) of Item 601 of Regulation S-K, because the aggregate amount of securities authorized under each of such instruments is less than 10% of our total assets on a consolidated basis. We will, upon request by the Securities and Exchange Commission, furnish to the Commission a copy of each such instrument.

 

(10)A.      (i)                     Multicurrency Credit Agreement, dated as of September 29, 1993, as amended and restated as of June 1, 2006, among Ecolab Inc., the financial institutions party thereto as Banks from time to time, the financial institutions party thereto as Issuing Banks from time to time, Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent for the Banks and Issuing Banks thereunder, Citibank International PLC, as agent for the Banks in connection with certain of the Eurocurrency Advances, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as syndication agent — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) of our Form 8-K dated June 1, 2006.

 

(ii)                    Extension Confirmation Notice, dated May 14, 2007, under the Multicurrency Credit Agreement, dated as of September 29, 1993, as amended and restated as of June 1, 2006 — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) of our Form 8-K dated May 14, 2007.

 

(iii)                   Increase of Commitments Agreement dated as of October 29, 2007 by and among Ecolab Inc., Citibank, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch, National Association, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, ABN AMRO Bank N.A., Bank of America, N.A. and Barclays Bank PLC, as increasing banks, and Citibank, N.A., as agent — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007.

 

B.             Documents comprising global Commercial Paper Programs

 

(i)             U.S. $200,000,000 Euro-Commercial Paper Programme

 

(a)            Amended and Restated Dealer Agreement dated 2 December 2005 between Ecolab Inc. (as Guarantor), Ecolab B.V. and Ecolab Holding GmbH (as Issuers), Ecolab Inc., Credit Suisse First Boston (Europe) Limited (as Arranger), and Citibank International plc and Credit Suisse First Boston (Europe) Limited (as Dealers) — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)B(i)(a) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

(b)            Amended and Restated Note Agency Agreement dated as of 2 December 2005 between Ecolab Inc., Ecolab B.V. and Ecolab Holding GmbH (as Issuers) and Citibank, N.A. as Issue and Paying Agent — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)B(i)(b) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

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(c)            Deed of Covenant made on 2 December 2005 by Ecolab Inc., Ecolab B.V. and Ecolab Holding GmbH — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)B(i)(c) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

(d)            Deed of Guarantee made on 2 December 2005 — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)B(i)(d) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

(ii)            U.S. $600,000,000 U.S. Commercial Paper Program

 

(a)            Form of Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement for 4 (2) Program. Agreements have been executed with Salomon Smith Barney, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., Wachovia Securities, LLC and Banc of America Securities LLC - Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)A(ii)(a) of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003.

 

(b)            Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of July 10, 2000 between Ecolab Inc. and Bank One, National Association as Issuing and Paying Agent - Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)A(ii)(b) of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003.

 

C.             (i)             Ecolab Inc. 1997 Stock Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated as of August 18, 2000 - Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2000.

 

(ii)            Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreement as in effect for grants through May 12, 2000 — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)B(i) of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.

 

(iii)           Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreement as in effect for grants beginning May 13, 2000 through May 10, 2002 — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)B(ii) of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.

 

D.             (i)             1995 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)D(i) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

(ii)            Amendment No. 1 to 1995 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan effective February 25, 2000 - Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)E(ii) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1999.

 

(iii)           Amendment No. 2 to 1995 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan effective May 11, 2001 - Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)G(iii) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

(iv)           Amendment No. 3 to 1995 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, adopted October 31, 2008 — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)D of our Form 10-K Annual Report dated December 31, 2008.

 

E.              (i)             Ecolab Inc. 2001 Non-Employee Director Stock Option and Deferred Compensation Plan as amended effective May 1, 2004 — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)H(ii) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

(ii)            Amendment No. 1 adopted December 15, 2004 to Ecolab Inc. 2001 Non-Employee Director Stock Option and Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated effective May 1, 2004, with respect to the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)F(ii) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

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(iii)           Master Agreement Relating to Options (as in effect through May 7, 2004) — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)D(i) of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.

 

(iv)           Master Agreement Relating to Periodic Options, as amended effective as of May 1, 2004 — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)D(ii) of our Form  10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.

 

(v)            Amendment No. 2 to Ecolab Inc. 2001 Non-Employee Director Stock Option and Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended effective May 2, 2008 — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)A of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008.

 

(vi)           Amendment No. 1 to Master Agreement Relating to Periodic Options, as amended effective May 2, 2008 — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)B of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008.

 

(vii)          Amendment No. 3 to Ecolab Inc. 2001 Non-Employee Director Stock Option and Deferred Compensation Plan (as Amended and Restated Effective as of May 1, 2004) — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)E(vii) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

F.              Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 26, 2006 by and among Ecolab Inc. and the Purchasers party thereto — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) of our Form 8-K dated July 26, 2006.

 

G.             Form of Director Indemnification Agreement. Substantially identical agreements are in effect as to each of our directors — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)I of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

H.             (i)             Ecolab Executive Death Benefits Plan, as amended and restated effective March 1, 1994 — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)H(i) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2006. See also Exhibit (10)N hereof.

 

(ii)            Amendment No. 1 to Ecolab Executive Death Benefits Plan — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)H(ii) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1998.

 

(iii)           Second Declaration of Amendment to Ecolab Executive Death Benefits Plan, effective March 1, 1998 - Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)H(iii) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1998.

 

(iv)           Amendment No. 3 to the Ecolab Executive Death Benefits Plan, effective August 12, 2005 — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)B of our Form 8-K dated December 13, 2005.

 

(v)            Amendment No. 4 to the Ecolab Executive Death Benefits Plan, effective January 1, 2005.

 

I.               Ecolab Executive Long-Term Disability Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 1994 — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)I of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2004. See also Exhibit (10)N hereof.

 

J.              Ecolab Financial Counseling Plan effective January 1, 2005 — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)J of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

K.             Ecolab Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (Amended and Restated effective as of January 1, 2005) — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)K of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

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L.              Ecolab Mirror Savings Plan (Amended and Restated effective as of January 1, 2005) — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)L of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

M.            Ecolab Mirror Pension Plan (Amended and Restated effective as of January 1, 2005) — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)M of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

N.             Ecolab Inc. Administrative Document for Non-Qualified Plans (Amended and Restated effective as of January 1, 2005) — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)N of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

O.             Ecolab Inc. Management Performance Incentive Plan, as amended and restated on February 27, 2009 — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) of our Form 8-K dated May 8, 2009.

 

P.              Ecolab Inc. Change in Control Severance Compensation Policy, effective as of January 1, 2005, adopted December 19, 2008 — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)P of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

Q.             Description of Ecolab Management Incentive Plan — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)Q of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

R.             (i)             Ecolab Inc. 2002 Stock Incentive Plan — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002

 

(ii)            Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreement as in effect for grants beginning May 11, 2002 through August 12, 2003 — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)A(i) of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.

 

(iii)           Non-statutory Stock Option Agreement as in effect for grants beginning August 13, 2003 — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)A(ii) of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.

 

S.              (i)             Ecolab Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)A of our Form 8-K dated May 6, 2005.

 

(ii)            Amendment No. 1 to Ecolab Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, adopted October 31, 2008 — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)V(ii) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

(iii)           Sample form of Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreement under the Ecolab Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan in effect for grants prior to October 31, 2008 — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)B of our Form 8-K dated May 6, 2005.

 

(iv)           Sample form of Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreement under the Ecolab Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan in effect for grants after October 31, 2008 — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)V(iv) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

(v)            Sample form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the Ecolab Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)W(iii) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

(vi)           Sample form of Performance Base Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Ecolab Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.

 

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T.          Policy on Reimbursement of Incentive Payments adopted December 4, 2008 — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)W of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

(13)          Those portions of our Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2009 which are incorporated by reference into Parts I and II hereof.

 

(14)A.      Code of Conduct — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (99)A of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

(14)B.       Code of Ethics for Senior Officers and Finance Associates — Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (99)B of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

(21)          List of Subsidiaries as of January 31, 2010.

 

(23)          Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm at page 29 hereof is filed as a part hereof.

 

(24)          Powers of Attorney.

 

(31)          Rule 13a-14(a) Certifications.

 

(32)          Section 1350 Certifications.

 

(101)       Interactive Data File.

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PLANS AND ARRANGEMENTS

 

Included in the preceding list of exhibits are the following management contracts or compensatory plans or arrangements:

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

 

 

(10)C.

 

Ecolab Inc. 1997 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

 

 

(10)D.

 

1995 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan.

 

 

 

(10)E.

 

Ecolab Inc. 2001 Non-Employee Director Stock Option and Deferred Compensation Plan.

 

 

 

(10)G.

 

Form of Director Indemnification Agreement.

 

 

 

(10)H.

 

Ecolab Executive Death Benefits Plan.

 

 

 

(10)I.

 

Ecolab Executive Long-Term Disability Plan.

 

 

 

(10)J.

 

Ecolab Executive Financial Counseling Plan.

 

 

 

(10)K.

 

Ecolab Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan.

 

 

 

(10)L.

 

Ecolab Mirror Savings Plan.

 

 

 

(10)M.

 

Ecolab Mirror Pension Plan.

 

 

 

(10)N.

 

Ecolab Inc. Administrative Document for Non-Qualified Plans.

 

 

 

(10)O.

 

Ecolab Inc. Management Performance Incentive Plan.

 

 

 

(10)P.

 

Ecolab Inc. Change in Control Severance Compensation Policy.

 

 

 

(10)Q.

 

Description of Ecolab Inc. Management Incentive Plan.

 

 

 

(10)R.

 

Ecolab Inc. 2002 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

 

 

(10)S.

 

Ecolab Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

 

 

(10)T.

 

Policy on Reimbursement of Incentive Payments.

 

27



Table of Contents

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Ecolab Inc. has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on the 26 th  day of February, 2010.

 

 

ECOLAB INC.

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/Douglas M. Baker, Jr.

 

 

Douglas M. Baker, Jr.

 

 

Chairman of the Board, President

 

 

and Chief Executive Officer

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of Ecolab Inc. and in the capacities indicated, on the 26 th  day of February 2010.

 

 

/s/Douglas M. Baker, Jr.

 

Chairman of the Board, President    

Douglas M. Baker, Jr.

 

and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

(Principal Executive Officer and

 

 

Director)

 

 

 

/s/Steven L. Fritze

 

Chief Financial Officer

Steven L. Fritze

 

(Principal Financial Officer)

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/John J. Corkrean

 

Vice President and Corporate

John J. Corkrean

 

Controller

 

 

(Principal Accounting Officer)

 

 

 

/s/Lawrence T. Bell

 

Directors

Lawrence T. Bell

 

 

 

 

 

as attorney-in-fact for: Barbara J. Beck, Les S. Biller, Richard U. De Schutter, Jerry A. Grundhofer, Joel W. Johnson, Jerry W.Levin, Robert L. Lumpkins, C. Scott O’Hara, Beth M. Pritchard, Victoria J. Reich and John J. Zillmer

 

 

 

28



Table of Contents

 

CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements on Form S-8 (Registration Nos. 2-90702; 33-18202; 33-55986; 33-56101; 333-95043; 333-109890; 33-34000; 33-56151; 333-18627; 333-109891; 33-39228; 33-56125; 333-70835; 33-60266; 333-95041; 333-18617; 333-79449; 333-40239; 333-95037; 333-50969; 333-58360; 333-97927; 333-115567; 333-129427; 333-129428; 333-140988; 333-115568; 333-132139; 333-147148; 333-163837; and 333-163838) and Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-149052) of Ecolab Inc. of our report dated February 26, 2010 relating to the consolidated financial statements and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, which appears in the Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

 

 

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

 

 

Minneapolis, Minnesota

February 26, 2010

 

29



Table of Contents

 

EXHIBIT INDEX

 

The following documents are filed as exhibits to this Report.

 

Exhibit No.

 

 

 

Document

 

Method of Filing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3)

 

A.

 

Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Ecolab Inc., dated as of February 27, 2006, effective as of March 13, 2006.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3)A of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B.

 

By-Laws, as amended through August 1, 2008.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3.1) of our Form 8-K dated November 10, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4)

 

A.

 

Common Stock.

 

See Exhibits (3)A and (3)B.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B.

 

Form of Common Stock Certificate effective February 28, 2007.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)B of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C.

 

Rights Agreement, dated as of February 24, 2006, between Ecolab Inc. and Computershare Investor Services, LLC, as Rights Agent, which includes the following exhibits thereto: (i) Exhibit A — Form of Certificate of Designation, Preferences and Rights of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and (ii) Exhibit B — Form of Rights Certificate.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)C of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

D.

 

Amended and Restated Indenture dated as of January 9, 2001 between Ecolab Inc. and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A. (as successor to J.P. Morgan Trust Company, National Association and Bank One, NA as Trustee.)

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)(A) of our Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 23, 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

E.

 

Officer’s Certificate establishing terms and conditions of 6.875% Notes due February 1, 2011.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(B) of our Form 8-K dated January 23, 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F.

 

Form of 6.875% Note due February 2, 2011.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(C) of our Form 8-K dated January 23, 2001.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

G.

 

Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 8, 2008, between Ecolab Inc. and The Bank of New York Trust Company, N.A., as Trustee.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of our on Form 8-K dated February 8, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H.

 

Form of 4.875% Note due February 15, 2015.

 

Included in Exhibit (4)G above.

 

30



Table of Contents

 

(10)

 

A.

(i)

Multicurrency Credit Agreement, dated as of September 29, 1993, as amended and restated as of June 1, 2006, among Ecolab Inc., the financial institutions party thereto as Banks from time to time, the financial institutions party thereto as Issuing Banks from time to time, Citibank, N.A., as administrative agent for the Banks and Issuing Banks thereunder, Citibank International PLC, as agent for the Banks in connection with certain of the Eurocurrency Advances, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as syndication agent.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) of our Form 8-K dated June 1, 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Extension Confirmation Notice, dated May 14, 2007, under the Multicurrency Credit Agreement, dated as of September 29, 1993, as amended and restated as of June 1, 2006.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) of our Form 8-K dated May 14, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iii)

Increase of Commitments Agreement dated as of October 29, 2007 by and among Ecolab Inc., Citibank, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Credit Suisse, Cayman Islands Branch, National Association, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, ABN AMRO Bank N.A., Bank of America, N.A. and Barclays Bank PLC, as increasing banks, and Citibank, N.A., as agent.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

B.

 

Documents comprising global Commercial Paper Programs.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(i)

U.S. $200,000,000 Euro-Commercial Paper Programme.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Amended and Restated Dealer Agreement dated 2 December 2005 between Ecolab Inc. (as Guarantor), Ecolab B.V. and Ecolab Holding GmbH (as Issuers), Ecolab Inc., Credit Suisse First Boston (Europe) Limited (as Arranger), and Citibank International plc and Credit Suisse First Boston (Europe) Limited (as Dealers).

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)B(i)(a) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(b)

Amended and Restated Note Agency Agreement dated as of 2 December 2005 between Ecolab Inc., Ecolab B.V. and Ecolab Holding GmbH (as Issuers) and Citibank, N.A. as Issue and Paying Agent.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)B(i)(b) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(c)

Deed of Covenant made on 2 December 2005 by Ecolab Inc., Ecolab B.V. and Ecolab Holding GmbH.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)B(i)(c) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

31



Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

 

 

(d)

Deed of Guarantee made on 2 December 2005.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)B(i)(d) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

U.S. $600,000,000 U.S. Commercial Paper Program.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Form of Commercial Paper Dealer Agreement for 4 (2) Program.  Agreements have been executed with Salomon Smith Barney, Inc., Wachovia Securities, LLC and Banc of America Securities LLC.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)A(ii)(a) of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(b)

Issuing and Paying Agency Agreement dated as of July 10, 2000 between Ecolab Inc. and Bank One, National Association as Issuing and Paying Agent.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)A(ii)(b) of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2003.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

C.

(i)

Ecolab Inc. 1997 Stock Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated as of August 18, 2000.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2000.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreement as in effect for grants through May 12, 2000.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)B(i) of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iii)

Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreement as in effect for grants beginning May 13, 2000 through May 10, 2002.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)B(ii) of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

D.

(i)

1995 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)D(i) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Amendment No. 1 to 1995 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan effective February 25, 2000.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)E(ii) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1999.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iii)

Amendment No. 2 to 1995 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan effective May 11, 2001.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)G(iii) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2002.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iv)

Amendment No. 3 to 1995 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan, adopted October 31, 2008.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)D of our Form 10-K Annual Report dated December 31, 2008.

 

32



Table of Contents

 

 

 

E.

(i)

Ecolab Inc. 2001 Non-Employee Director Stock Option and Deferred Compensation Plan as amended effective May 1, 2004.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)H(ii) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Amendment No. 1 adopted December 15, 2004 to Ecolab Inc. 2001 Non-Employee Director Stock Option and Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended and restated effective May 1, 2004, with respect to the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)F(ii) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iii)

Master Agreement Relating to Options (as in effect through May 7, 2004).

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)D(i) of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iv)

Master Agreement Relating to Periodic Options, as amended effective as of May 1, 2004.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)D(ii) of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(v)

Amendment No. 2 to Ecolab Inc. 2001 Non-Employee Director Stock Option and Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended effective May 2, 2008.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)A of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(vi)

Amendment No. 1 to Master Agreement Relating to Periodic Options, as amended effective May 2, 2008.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)B of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(vii)

Amendment No. 3 to Ecolab Inc. 2001 Non-Employee Director Stock Option and Deferred Compensation Plan (as Amended and Restated Effective as of May 1, 2004).

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)E(vii) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

F.

 

Note Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 26, 2006 by and among Ecolab Inc. and the Purchasers party thereto.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) of our Form 8-K dated July 26, 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

G.

 

Form of Director Indemnification Agreement. Substantially identical agreements are in effect as to each of our directors.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)I of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

H.

(i)

Ecolab Executive Death Benefits Plan, as amended and restated effective March 1, 1994. See also Exhibit (10)N hereof.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)H(i) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2006.  See also Exhibit (10)N hereof.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Amendment No. 1 to Ecolab Executive Death Benefits Plan.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)H(ii) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1998.

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

 

(iii)

Second Declaration of Amendment to Ecolab Executive Death Benefits Plan, effective March 1, 1998.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)H(iii) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1998.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iv)

Amendment No. 3 to the Ecolab Executive Death Benefits Plan, effective August 12, 2005.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)B of our Form 8-K dated December 13, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(v)

Amendment No. 4 to the Ecolab Executive Death Benefits Plan, effective January 1, 2005.

 

Filed herewith electronically.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I.

 

Ecolab Executive Long-Term Disability Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 1994.  See also Exhibit (10)N hereof. 

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)I of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

J.

 

Ecolab Financial Counseling Plan (Effective January 1, 2005).

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)J of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

K.

 

Ecolab Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (Amended and Restated effective as of January 1, 2005).

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)K of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

L.

 

Ecolab Mirror Savings Plan (Amended and Restated effective as of January 1, 2005).

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)L of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M.

 

Ecolab Mirror Pension Plan (Amended and Restated effective as of January 1, 2005.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)M of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

N.

 

Ecolab Inc. Administrative Document for Non-Qualified Plans (Amended and Restated effective as of January 1, 2005).

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)N of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

O.

 

Ecolab Inc. Management Performance Incentive Plan, as amended and restated on February 28, 2004.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) of our Form 8-K dated May 8, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

P.

 

Ecolab Inc. Change in Control Severance Compensation Policy, effective as of January 1, 2005, adopted December 19, 2008.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)P of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Q.

 

Description of Ecolab Management Incentive Plan.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)Q of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

R.

(i)

Ecolab Inc. 2002 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2002.

 

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(ii)

Non-statutory Stock Option Agreement as in effect for grants beginning May 11, 2002 through August 12, 2003.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)A(i) of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iii)

Non-statutory Stock Option Agreement as in effect for grants beginning August 13, 2003.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)A(ii) of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

S.

(i)

Ecolab Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)A of our Form 8-K dated May 6, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

Amendment No. 1 to Ecolab Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan, adopted October 31, 2008.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)V of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iii)

Sample form of Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreement under the Ecolab Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)B of our Form 8-K dated May 6, 2005.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(iv)

Sample form of Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreement under the Ecolab Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan in effect for grants after October 31, 2008.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)V(iv) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(v)

Sample form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the Ecolab Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)W(iii) of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2006.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(vi)

Sample Form of Performance Based Restricted Stock Unit Agreement under the Ecolab Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) of our Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2009.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

T.

 

Policy on Reimbursement of Incentive Payments adopted December 4, 2008

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)W of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2008.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13)

 

 

 

Those portions of our Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2008 which are incorporated by reference into Parts I and II hereof.

 

Filed herewith electronically.

 

35



Table of Contents

 

(14)A.

 

 

 

Code of Conduct.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (99)A of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(14)B.

 

 

 

Code of Ethics for Senior Officers and Finance Associates.

 

Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (99)B of our Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2003.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(21)

 

 

 

List of Subsidiaries as of January 31, 2010.

 

Filed herewith electronically.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(23)

 

 

 

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm at page 29 hereof is filed as a part hereof.

 

See page 29 hereof.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(24)

 

 

 

Powers of Attorney.

 

Filed herewith electronically.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(31)

 

 

 

Rule 13a-14(a) Certifications.

 

Filed herewith electronically.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(32)

 

 

 

Section 1350 Certifications.

 

Filed herewith electronically.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(101)

 

 

 

Interactive Data File.

 

Filed herewith electronically.

 

36


EXHIBIT (10)H(v)

 

AMENDMENT NO. 4

 

TO THE

 

ECOLAB EXECUTIVE DEATH BENEFITS PLAN
(As Amended and Restated Effective March 1, 1994)

 

Pursuant to Section 1.3 of the Ecolab Executive Death Benefits Plan (As Amended and Restated Effective March 1, 1994) and as subsequently amended (the “Plan”) and Section 5.1 of the Ecolab Inc. Administrative Document for Non-Qualified Benefit Plans (the “Administrative Document”), which is incorporated into the Plan by reference, Ecolab Inc. (the “Company”) hereby amends the Plan as set forth below, effective as of January 1, 2005.  Words and phrases used herein with initial capital letters which are defined in the Plan or the Administrative Document are used herein as so defined.

 

1.              Article I of the Plan is hereby amended by adding, immediately after Section 1.3 thereof, a new Section 1.4 to read as follows:

 

Section 1.4              Code Section 409A .  To the extent that any benefits provided under the Plan constitute “deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code and any guidance issued thereunder (the “409A Guidance”), the Plan is intended to comply with the provisions of the 409A Guidance so as to prevent the inclusion in gross income of any amount payable to an Executive or his Death Beneficiary hereunder in a taxable year that is prior to the taxable year or years in which such amounts would otherwise be actually distributed or made available to the Executive or his Death Beneficiary.  All Plan provisions shall be interpreted in a manner consistent with 409A Guidance.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither the Company nor the Administrator guarantee any tax consequences of any Executive’s or Death Beneficiary’s participation in or entitlement to or receipt of payments from, the Plan, and each Executive or his Death Beneficiary shall be solely responsible for payment of any tax obligations of such individual incurred in connection with participation in the Plan.

 

2.              Section 3.2(2)(b) of the Plan is hereby amended by adding a new sentence to the end thereof to read as follows:

 

If the Executive surrenders, terminates or takes a distribution, a withdrawal or a loan under such insurance contract, neither the Executive nor any Death Beneficiary of the Executive shall thereafter be entitled to any Executive Death Benefit under the Plan.

 

3.              Section 3.2(2)(c) of the Plan is hereby amended by adding a new sentence to the end thereof to read as follows:

 



 

Payment of any “gross-up” amount to an Executive’s Death Beneficiary shall be made by the end of the Death Beneficiary’s taxable year next following the taxable year in which he remits the related taxes.

 

4.              Section 3.3(2)(b) of the Plan is hereby amended by adding a new sentence to the end thereof to read as follows:

 

If the Executive surrenders, terminates or takes a distribution, a withdrawal or a loan under such the insurance contract, neither the Executive nor any Death Beneficiary of the Executive shall thereafter be entitled to any Executive Death Benefit under the Plan.

 

5.              The Plan is hereby amended by adding a new Article VI, immediately after Article V thereof, to read as follows:

 

ARTICLE VI
FUNDING OF EXECUTIVE DEATH BENEFITS

 

Section 6.1              Applicability .  The provisions of the Article VI shall apply to any Executive who is covered by a MetLife Executive Benefit Universal Life Insurance policy (“EBUL Policy”) procured by the Company to fund its obligation under the Plan pursuant to Section 3.2(2)(b) and 3.3(2)(b).  Nothing in the Plan shall be interpreted to require the Company to maintain existing or procure any new policies underwritten by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company or any other insurance underwriter.  The Company may, at any time and without the consent of any Executive, modify the terms of or discontinue any arrangement pursuant to which the Company funds its obligations under the Plan through life insurance contracts, except as provided in Article V.

 

Section 6.2              Specified Face Amount .  A EBUL Policy covering an Executive has the face amount determined pursuant to Section 3.2(2)(a), which upon the Executive’s Retirement is reduced to the amount specified in Section 3.3(2)(a) (unless the Executive pays an additional premium to obtain a higher face amount of the policy, subject to MetLife’s underwriting requirements).  Each EBUL Policy is subject to and governed by the terms and conditions stated therein.

 

Section 6.3              Payment of Premiums .  The Company will pay premiums due with respect to an Executive’s EBUL Policy annually over a period beginning with the year in which the Executive become a participant in the Plan and ending on the later of the year in which the Executive attains age 65 or the year containing the fifteenth (15 th ) anniversary of the Executive’s

 

2



 

participation in the Plan (the “Funding Period”).  Premiums will be paid by the payment due date in accordance with the terms of the EBUL Policy, but in no event later than the last day of the year following the year in which the premium expense was incurred.

 

Section 6.4              Premium Amount .  The amount of the premium paid by the Company each year of the Funding Period shall be equal to the amount that, if paid annually for the remainder of the Funding Period, will be sufficient, based on MetLife’s then current credited interest rate and the Executive’s cost-of-insurance to (1) support the pre-retirement and post-retirement Executive Death Benefit to which the Executive is entitled under the Plan and (2) build up sufficient cash value in the EBUL Policy to endow the post-retirement face value of the policy at the Executive’s age 95.  At the end of the Funding Period, the Company will have no further obligation to pay premiums on the EBUL Policy and the Company’s obligations to pay the Executive Death Benefit to the Executive’s Death Beneficiary shall be deemed satisfied in full.

 

Section 6.5              Policy Surrender .  If at any time before the Executive Death Benefit is paid under the EBUL Policy upon the Executive’s death, the Executive surrenders, terminates or takes a distribution, a withdrawal or a loan under the EBUL Policy, neither the Executive nor his Death Beneficiaries shall be entitled to any further Executive Death Benefits under the Plan.

 

6.              In all other respects the Plan remains unchanged.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this instrument to be executed by its authorized officers and its corporate seal affixed, this 19 th  day of December, 2008.

 

 

 

 

ECOLAB INC. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Steven L. Fritze

(Seal)

 

By:

Steven L. Fritze

 

 

Title:

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Attest:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Lawrence T. Bell

 

 

By:

Lawrence T. Bell

 

 

Title:

General Counsel and Secretary

 

 

 

3


Exhibit 13

 

FINANCIAL DISCUSSION

 

Executive Summary

This Financial Discussion should be read in conjunction with the information on Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors found at the end of this Financial Discussion.

 

The global recession had a significant impact on our hospitality and foodservice markets and made 2009 one of the most challenging years in recent memory. Our customers’ need for our products and services were as critical as ever to keep their environments clean, safe, and healthy, but they also faced increased pressures due to softer demand and a turbulent economy. We responded with aggressive actions to serve our customers and to control our costs. We delivered innovative new products that provide outstanding results and enable customers to save labor, water and energy. We continued to add new accounts. We maintained appropriate pricing and took necessary actions to significantly reduce our operating costs. We continued to invest in systems to improve our operating efficiency. And through these actions, we delivered for our shareholders while building opportunity for the future. Our performance during these challenging times underscored the strength of our business, our people and our strategies.

 

Both 2009 and 2008 results of operations included significant special gains and charges, as well as discrete tax items which impact the year over year comparisons.

 

Financial Performance

Sales: Reported consolidated net sales decreased 4% in 2009 to $5.9 billion from $6.1 billion in 2008. Net sales were negatively impacted by unfavorable foreign currency exchange compared to the prior year. When measured in fixed rates of foreign currency exchange, net sales were flat to the prior year as we were able to offset a 3% decrease in volume with a 3% increase due to pricing.

 

Gross Margin: We experienced continued increases in our delivered product costs during the first half of 2009 but saw our delivered product costs decline on a year over year basis during the second half of 2009. For the full year, our delivered product costs increased moderately compared to the prior year. We were able to successfully offset the increase with pricing and cost-saving initiatives, which helped improve our gross margin in 2009 to 49.5% compared to 48.8% in 2008.

 

Operating Income: Operating income declined 4% in 2009 to $681 million compared to $713 million in 2008. Adjusted operating income, excluding the impact of special gains and charges, increased 3% in 2009. See Non-GAAP Financial Measures at the end of this Financial Discussion for further information.

 

Diluted Net Income Per Share: Reported diluted net income per share decreased 3% to $1.74 for 2009 compared to $1.80 per share in 2008. Special gains and charges and discrete tax items negatively impacted 2009 by $0.25 per share and 2008 by $0.06 per share. Adjusted diluted net income per share, excluding the impact of special gains and charges, and discrete tax items, increased 7% to $1.99 in 2009 compared to $1.86 in 2008. See Non-GAAP Financial Measures at the end of this Financial Discussion for further information.

 

Cash Flow: Cash flow from operating activities was $695 million in 2009, despite making voluntary contributions of $225 million to our U.S. pension plan of which $100 million was made in the fourth quarter. We continue to generate strong cash flow from operations, allowing us to make key investments in our business, pay down debt and provide returns to our shareholders through cash dividends and share repurchases.

 

Balance Sheet: Our balance sheet remained within the “A” categories of the major rating agencies during 2009 and exceeded our stated objective of having an investment grade balance sheet. Our strong balance sheet has allowed us to continue to have access to capital at attractive rates despite increased volatility in capital markets.

 

Return on Equity: In 2009 our return on beginning shareholders’ equity was 26.6%. This was the 18th consecutive year in which we achieved our long-term financial objective of at least 20% return on beginning shareholders’ equity.

 

Dividends: We increased our quarterly cash dividend 11% in December 2009 to an indicated annual rate of $0.62 per share for 2010. The increase represents our 18th consecutive annual dividend rate increase and the 73rd consecutive year we have paid cash dividends. We continued our record of consecutive annual cash dividend increases, reflecting our earnings performance, good cash flows and a solid balance sheet. Ecolab remains a strong company with a very strong future and our dividend increase reflects our equally strong commitment to improving shareholder returns.

 

 

 

Restructuring: In 2009 we made the difficult but necessary decision to complete a restructuring plan to streamline our operations and improve efficiency and effectiveness. The restructuring included a global workforce reduction and optimization of our supply chain including the reduction of plant and distribution center locations. As a result of these actions, we recorded restructuring charges of $73 million ($52 million after tax) or $0.22 per diluted share in 2009. These actions are expected to provide annualized pretax savings of approximately $75 million ($50 million after tax), with pretax savings of $50 million realized in 2009.

 

EBS Update: We continued the rollout of Ecolab Business Solutions (EBS), an extensive multi-year project to implement a common set of business processes and systems across all of Europe.

 

21



 

Outlook

            We enter 2010 a stronger company, and we will continue to improve our operating efficiency and effectiveness, leveraging actions and investments made in 2009.

 

            We expect a limited economic recovery and continued challenges in our markets in 2010. Our customers, particularly in the U.S. and Europe, will face ongoing pressure as economic uncertainties persist.

 

            We will remain focused on sustainable long-term growth and returns for our shareholders.

 

            We will continue to focus on new account growth, better customer penetration and new innovative product sales.

 

            We will continue to make key investments in our business that will support our future growth opportunities.

 

            We intend to continue to make targeted acquisitions.

 

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES

 

Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). We have adopted various accounting policies to prepare the consolidated financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Our most significant accounting policies are disclosed in Note 2 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

Preparation of our consolidated financial statements, in conformity with U.S. GAAP, requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Estimates are considered to be critical if they meet both of the following criteria: (1) the estimate requires assumptions to be made about matters that are highly uncertain at the time the accounting estimate is made, and (2) different estimates that the company reasonably could have used for the accounting estimate in the current period, or changes in the accounting estimate that are reasonably likely to occur from period to period, have a material impact on the presentation of the company’s financial condition, changes in financial condition or results of operations.

 

Besides estimates that meet the “critical” estimate criteria, we make many other accounting estimates in preparing our financial statements and related disclosures. All estimates, whether or not deemed critical, affect reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses as well as disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. Estimates are based on experience and other information available prior to the issuance of the financial statements. Materially different results can occur as circumstances change and additional information becomes known, even from estimates not deemed critical. Our critical accounting estimates include the following:

 

Revenue Recognition

We recognize revenue on product sales at the time title to the product and risk of loss transfers to the customer. We recognize revenue on services as they are performed. Our sales policies do not provide for general rights of return. W e re cord estimated reductions to revenue for customer programs and incentive offerings including pricing arrangements, promotions and other volume-based incentives at the time the sale is recorded. Depending on market conditions, we may increase customer incentive offerings, which could reduce gross profit margins at the time the incentive is offered.

 

Valuation Allowances and Accrued Liabilities

We estimate sales returns and allowances by analyzing historical returns and credits, and apply these trend rates to the most recent 12 months’ sales data to calculate estimated reserves for future credits. We estimate the allowance for doubtful accounts by analyzing accounts receivable balances by age and applying historical write-off trend rates. In addition, our estimates also include separately providing for specific customer balances when it is deemed probable that the balance is uncollectible. Actual results could differ from these estimates under different assumptions. Our allowance for doubtful accounts balance was $52 million and $44 million, as of December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. These amounts include our allowance for sales returns and credits of $10 million as of December 31, 2009 and $9 million as of December 31, 2008. Our bad debt expense as a percent of net sales was 0.4% in 2009 and 2008 and 0.3% in 2007. We believe that it is reasonably likely that future results will be consistent with historical trends and experience. However, if the financial condition of our customers were to deteriorate, resulting in an inability to make payments, or if unexpected events or significant changes in future trends were to occur, additional allowances may be required.

 

Estimates used to record liabilities related to pending litigation and environmental claims are based on our best estimate of probable future costs. We record the amounts that represent the points in the range of estimates that we believe are most probable or the minimum amount when no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount. Potential insurance reimbursements are not anticipated in our accruals for environmental liabilities or other insured losses. Expected insurance proceeds are recorded as receivables when recovery is probable. While the final resolution of litigation and environmental contingencies could result in amounts different than current accruals, and therefore have an impact on our consolidated financial results in a future reporting period, we believe the ultimate outcome will not have a significant effect on our financial position.

 

Actuarially Determined Liabilities

The measurement of our pension and postretirement benefit obligations are dependent on a variety of assumptions determined by management and used by our actuaries. These assumptions affect the amount and timing of future contributions and expenses.

 

The assumptions used in developing the required estimates include, among others, discount rate, projected salary and health care cost increases and expected return or earnings on assets. The discount rate assumption for the U.S. Plans is calculated using a bond yield curve constructed from a population of high-quality, non-callable, corporate bond issues with maturity dates of six months to thirty years. Bond issues in the population are rated no less than Aa by Moody’s Investor Services or AA by Standard & Poors. The discount rate is calculated by matching the plans’ projected cash flows to the yield curve. Projected salary and health care cost increases are based on our long-term actual experience, the near-term outlook and assumed inflation. The expected return on plan assets reflects asset allocations, investment strategies and the views of investment advisors. The effects of actual results differing from our assumptions, as well as changes in assumptions, are reflected in the unrecognized actuarial loss and amortized over future periods and, therefore, generally affect our recognized expense in future periods. Significant differences in actual experience or significant changes in assumptions may materially affect pension and other post-

 

22



 

retirement obligations. The unrecognized actuarial loss on our U.S. qualified and nonqualified pension plans decreased from $546 million to $533 million (before tax) as of December 31, 2008 and 2009, respectively, primarily due to higher than expected return on plan assets and amortization of existing unrecognized losses, partially offset by a decrease in our discount rate. In determining our U.S. pension and postretirement obligations for 2009, our discount rate decreased to 5.84% from 6.26% at year-end 2008 and our projected salary increase was unchanged at 4.32%. Our expected return on plan assets, used for determining 2009 and 2010 expense, was decreased to 8.50% from 8.75% in prior years to reflect lower expected long-term returns on plan assets.

 

The effect on 2010 expense of a decrease in the discount rate or expected return on assets assumption as of December 31, 2009 is shown below assuming no changes in benefit levels and no amortization of gains or losses for our major plans:

 

  MILLIONS

 

EFFECT ON U.S. PENSION PLAN

 

 

 

 

 

INCREASE IN

 

HIGHER

 

 

 

ASSUMPTION

 

RECORDED

 

2010

 

  ASSUMPTION

 

CHANGE

 

OBLIGATION

 

EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Discount rate

 

-0.25pts

 

$37.9

 

$5.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Expected return on assets

 

-0.25pts

 

N/A

 

$2.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EFFECT ON U.S. POSTRETIREMENT

 

  MILLIONS

 

HEALTH CARE BENEFITS PLAN

 

 

 

 

 

INCREASE IN

 

HIGHER

 

 

 

ASSUMPTION

 

RECORDED

 

2010

 

  ASSUMPTION

 

CHANGE

 

OBLIGATION

 

EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Discount rate

 

-0.25pts

 

$4.6

 

$0.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   Expected return on assets

 

-0.25pts

 

N/A

 

$0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We use similar assumptions to measure our international pension obligations. However, the assumptions used vary by country based on specific local country requirements. See Note 15 for further discussion concerning our accounting policies, estimates, funded status, planned contributions and overall financial positions of our pension and post-retirement plan obligations.

 

We are self-insured in North America for most workers compensation, general liability and automotive liability losses, subject to per occurrence and aggregate annual liability limitations. We are insured for losses in excess of these limitations and have recorded both a liability and an offsetting receivable for amounts in excess of these limitations. We are also self-insured for health care claims for eligible participating employees, subject to certain deductibles and limitations. We determine our liabilities for claims incurred but not reported on an actuarial basis. A change in these assumptions would cause reported results to differ. Outside of North America, we are fully insured for losses, subject to annual insurance deductibles.

 

Share-Based Compensation

We measure compensation expense for share-based awards at fair value at the date of grant and recognize compensation expense over the service period for awards expected to vest. Determining the fair value of share-based awards at the grant date requires judgment, including estimating expected volatility, exercise and post-vesting termination behavior, expected dividends and risk-free rates of return. Additionally, the expense that is recorded is dependent on the amount of share-based awards expected to vest or be forfeited. Estimating vesting includes assessing the probability of meeting service and performance conditions. If actual vesting or forfeiture results differ significantly from these estimates, share-based compensation expense and our results of operations could be impacted. For additional information on our stock incentive and option plans, including significant assumptions used in determining fair value, see Note 10.

 

Income Taxes

Judgment is required to determine the annual effective income tax rate, deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowances recorded against net deferred tax assets. Our effective income tax rate is based on annual income, statutory tax rates and tax planning opportunities available in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. Our annual effective income tax rate includes the impact of reserve provisions. We recognize the largest amount of tax benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement with a taxing authority. We adjust these reserves in light of changing facts and circumstances. During interim periods, this annual rate is then applied to our year-to-date operating results. In the event that there is a significant one-time item recognized in our interim operating results, the tax attributable to that item would be separately calculated and recorded in the same period as the one-time item.

 

Tax regulations require items to be included in our tax returns at different times than the items are reflected in our financial statements. As a result, the effective income tax rate reflected in our financial statements differs from that reported in our tax returns. Some of these differences are permanent, such as expenses that are not deductible on our tax return, and some are temporary differences, such as depreciation expense. Temporary differences create deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax assets generally represent items that can be used as a tax deduction or credit in our tax return in future years for which we have already recorded the tax benefit in our income statement. We establish valuation allowances for our deferred tax assets when the amount of expected future taxable income is not likely to support the utilization of the entire deduction or credit. Deferred tax liabilities generally represent items for which we have already taken a deduction in our tax return, but have not yet recognized that tax benefit in our financial statements. Undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries are considered to have been reinvested indefinitely or available for distribution with foreign tax credits available to offset the amount of applicable income tax and foreign withholding taxes that might be payable on earnings. It is impractical to determine the amount of incremental taxes that might arise if all undistributed earnings were distributed.

 

A number of years may elapse before a particular tax matter, for which we have established a reserve, is audited and finally resolved. The number of tax years with open tax audits varies depending on the tax jurisdiction. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has completed its examinations of our U.S. federal income tax returns through 2006. The U.S. income tax returns for the years 2007 and 2008 are currently under audit and the anticipated settlement is early 2011. It is reasonably possible for specific open positions within the 1999 through 2004 examinations, which are still open with the IRS, to be settled in the next twelve months. In addition, it is reasonably possible that we will settle an income tax audit for Germany covering the years 2003 through 2006 in the next twelve months. Settlement of any particular issue could result in offsets to other balance sheet accounts, cash payments or receipts and/or adjustments to tax expense. The majority of our tax reserves are presented in the balance sheet within other non-current liabilities. For additional information on income taxes, see Note 11.

 

23



 

Long-Lived and Intangible Assets

We periodically review our long-lived and intangible assets for impairment and assess whether significant events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. This could occur when the carrying amount of an asset exceeds the anticipated future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. The amount of the impairment loss to be recorded, if any, is calculated as the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its estimated fair value. We also periodically reassess the estimated remaining useful lives of our long-lived assets.

 

Changes to estimated useful lives would impact the amount of depreciation and amortization expense recorded in earnings. We have experienced no significant changes in the carrying value or estimated remaining useful lives of our long-lived assets.

 

We test our goodwill for impairment on an annual basis during the second quarter for all reporting units. Our reporting units are our operating segments. If circumstances change significantly, we would test for impairment during interim periods between our annual tests. Goodwill is assessed for impairment using fair value measurement techniques. Specifically, goodwill impairment is determined using a two-step process. Both the first step of determining the fair value of a reporting unit and the second step of determining the fair value of individual assets and liabilities of a reporting unit (including unrecognized intangible assets) are judgmental in nature and often involve the use of significant estimates and assumptions. Fair values of reporting units are established using a discounted cash flow method. Where available and as appropriate, comparable market multiples are used to corroborate the results of the discounted cash flow method. These valuation methodologies use estimates and assumptions, which include projected future cash flows (including timing), discount rate reflecting the risk inherent in future cash flows, perpetual growth rate, and determination of appropriate market comparables. Based on our testing, there has been no impairment of goodwill during the three years ending December 31, 2009.

 

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

Net Sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PERCENT CHANGE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MILLIONS

 

   2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

 

$5,901   

 

$6,138

 

$5,470

 

(4)

%

 

12

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The components of the year-over-year net sales change are as follows:

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Volume

(3) %

 

3 %

 

Price changes

3  

 

3   

 

Foreign currency exchange

(4)  

 

3   

 

Acquisitions and divestitures

-  

 

3   

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total net sales change

(4) %

 

12 %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross Margin

 

 

 2009

 

2008

 

 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit as a percent of net sales

 

49.5%

 

48.8 %

 

50.8 %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our gross profit margin (“gross margin”) (defined as the difference between net sales less cost of sales divided by net sales) increase in 2009 over 2008 was driven by pricing and cost-saving initiatives, which more than offset lower sales volume and higher raw material costs. Our 2009 gross margin was negatively impacted by restructuring charges included in cost of sales of $12.6 million, which decreased our gross margin by 0.2 percentage points.

 

Our gross margin decreased in 2008 compared to 2007. The decline was driven by higher delivered product costs, which more than offset the margin impact of sales leverage, pricing, and cost savings initiatives. Our gross margin was also negatively impacted by our Microtek and Ecovation acquisitions which, based on their business models, operate at lower gross margins than our historical business. In 2008 we experienced significant increases in our raw material costs compared to 2007.

 

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

 

 

 

 2009

 

2008

 

 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general & administrative expenses as a percent of net sales

 

36.8%

 

36.8 %

 

38.2 %

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of consolidated net sales was 36.8% for both 2009 and 2008. The savings from our recent restructuring, pricing leverage and well-managed spending were offset by investments and other cost increases. We continue to make key business investments that drive innovation and efficiency, through R&D and information technology.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of sales decreased to 36.8% in 2008 from 38.2% in 2007. The decrease in the ratio reflected leverage from our sales volume and pricing growth, cost controls, reductions of variable compensation and the impact of acquisitions. This leverage more than offset investments in business systems and efficiency, R&D and information technology.

 

Special Gains and Charges

Special gains and charges reported on the Consolidated Statement of Income included the following items:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MILLIONS

 

  2009

 

   2008

 

   2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restructuring charges

 

 

$   12.6

 

 

$     -   

 

$     -   

 

Special gains and charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restructuring charges

 

 

59.9

 

 

-   

 

-   

 

Business structure and optimization

 

 

2.8

 

 

25.6

 

2.0

 

Legal settlement

 

 

-   

 

 

-   

 

27.4

 

Business write-downs and closures

 

 

2.4

 

 

19.1

 

-   

 

Gain on sale of plant

 

 

-   

 

 

(24.0

)

-   

 

Gain on sale of businesses

 

 

-   

 

 

(1.7

)

(11.0

)

Other items

 

 

2.0

 

 

6.9

 

1.3

 

Subtotal

 

 

67.1

 

 

25.9

 

19.7

 

Total

 

 

$79.7

 

 

$   25.9

 

$   19.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the first quarter of 2009, we announced plans to undertake restructuring and other cost-saving actions during 2009 in order to streamline operations and improve efficiency and effectiveness. The restructuring plan included a reduction of the company’s global workforce by 950 positions or 4% and

 

24



 

the reduction of plant and distribution center locations. As a result of these actions, we recorded restructuring charges of $72.5 million ($52.0 million after tax) or $0.22 per diluted share during 2009.

 

The restructuring was completed as of the end of 2009. These actions will provide annualized pretax savings of approximately $75 million ($50 million after tax), with pretax savings of approximately $50 million realized in 2009. Further details related to the restructuring are included in Note 3.

 

2009 special gains and charges also included the write-down of our carrying value in a non-strategic business as well as costs to optimize our business structure.

 

Special gains and charges in 2008 included a charge of $19.1 million, recorded in the fourth quarter, for the write-down of investments in an energy management business and closure of two small non-strategic healthcare businesses as well as costs to optimize our business structure, including costs related to establishing our new European headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. These charges were partially offset by a gain of $24.0 million from the sale of a plant in Denmark recorded in the second quarter and a $1.7 million gain related to the sale of a business in the United Kingdom (U.K.) recorded in the first quarter.

 

Special gains and charges in 2007 included a $27.4 million charge for an arbitration settlement recorded in the third quarter of 2007 as well as costs related to establishing our European headquarters and other charges. These charges were partially offset by a $6.3 million gain on the sale of a minority investment located in the U.S. and a $4.7 million gain on the sale of a business in the U.K. which were both recorded in the fourth quarter of 2007.

 

For segment reporting purposes, special gains and charges have been included in our corporate segment, which is consistent with our internal management reporting.

 

Operating Income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PERCENT CHANGE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MILLIONS

 

   2009

 

    2008

 

  2007

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reported GAAP operating income

 

 

$  681.3

 

 

$  712.8

 

$  669.0

 

(4)

%

 

7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special gains and charges

 

 

79.7

 

 

25.9

 

19.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP adjusted operating income

 

 

$  761.0

 

 

$  738.7

 

$  688.7

 

3 %

 

7

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reported operating income declined in 2009 compared to 2008. The operating income decrease was impacted by the year over year comparison of special gains and charges and the unfavorable impact of foreign currency exchange. Excluding the impact of special gains and charges, adjusted operating income increased 3% in 2009. Excluding unfavorable currency exchange, adjusted operating income increased 8% in 2009 as increased pricing and cost savings efforts more than offset increased raw material and other costs during the year.

 

Operating income increased 7% in 2008 compared to 2007. Special gains and charges did not have a significant impact on operating income growth. Excluding the negative impact from acquisitions and divestitures and favorable impact of foreign currency exchange, operating income would have grown 5% in 2008. The increase in operating income was due to sales volume and pricing gains, improved cost efficiencies and reductions of variable compensation, which more than offset higher delivered product costs and investments in the business.

 

Interest Expense, Net

Net interest expense totaled $61 million, $62 million and $51 million in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. The increase in our 2008 net interest expense compared to 2007 is due to higher debt levels, primarily to fund share repurchases and acquisitions.

 

Provision for Income Taxes

The following table provides a summary of our reported tax rate:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PERCENT

 

2009

 

 2008

 

 2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reported tax rate

 

 

32.5%

 

 

31.1%

 

30.6%

 

Tax rate impact of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special gains and charges

 

 

(0.6)

 

 

0.2

 

0.7

 

Discrete tax items

 

 

(0.2)

 

 

0.3

 

3.1

 

Non-GAAP adjusted effective tax rate

 

 

31.7%

 

 

31.6%

 

34.4%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our reported tax rate includes discrete impacts from special gains and charges and discrete tax events. Our adjusted effective income tax rate in 2009 was comparable to 2008. The reduction in our adjusted effective income tax rate in 2008 from 2007 was primarily due to increased tax benefits from international operations, including global rate reductions.

 

The 2009 reported tax rate was impacted by $20.4 million of tax items including $21.5 million of net tax benefits on special gains and charges as well as $1.1 million of discrete tax net charges. Discrete tax items in 2009 included tax benefits of $3.4 million related to prior year reserve adjustments which were more than offset by $4.5 million of tax charges related to optimizing our business structure.

 

The 2008 reported tax rate was impacted by $11.0 million of tax items including $9.1 million of net tax benefits on special gains and charges as well as $1.9 million of discrete tax benefits. Discrete tax items in 2008 included $4.8 million of discrete tax benefits recorded in the first quarter due to enacted tax legislation and an international rate change. 2008 also included $2.1 million of discrete tax expense recorded in the third quarter related to recognizing adjustments from filing our 2007 U.S. federal income tax return and $0.8 million of discrete tax expense recorded in the fourth quarter.

 

The 2007 reported tax rate was impacted by $29.5 million of tax items including $10.2 million of net tax benefits on special gains and charges as well as $19.3 million of discrete tax benefits. Discrete tax benefits in 2007 included $5.4 million of discrete tax benefits recorded in the second quarter for tax audit settlements, $8.6 million of discrete tax benefits recorded in the third quarter for reductions in net deferred tax liabilities related to international tax rate changes and $5.3 million of tax benefits recorded in the fourth quarter primarily due to tax audit settlements.

 

25



 

Net Income Attributable to Ecolab

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PERCENT CHANGE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MILLIONS

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reported GAAP net income

 

$

417.3

 

 

 

$

448.1

 

 

$

427.2

 

 

(7

)%

 

 

5

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special gains and charges

 

58.2

 

 

 

16.8

 

 

9.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discrete tax expense (benefit)

 

1.1

 

 

 

(1.9

)

 

(19.3

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP adjusted net income

 

$

476.6

 

 

 

$

463.0

 

 

$

417.4

 

 

3

%

 

 

11

%

 

 

Diluted Net Income Per Common Share (EPS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PERCENT CHANGE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DOLLARS

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reported GAAP EPS

 

$

1.74

 

 

 

$

1.80

 

 

$

1.70

 

 

(3

)%

 

 

6

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Special gains and charges

 

0.24

 

 

 

0.07

 

 

0.04

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discrete tax expense (benefit)

 

0.00

 

 

 

(0.01

)

 

(0.08

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-GAAP adjusted EPS

 

$

1.99

 

 

 

$

1.86

 

 

$

1.66

 

 

7

%

 

 

12

%

 

 

Note: Per share amounts do not necessarily sum due to rounding.

 

Net income attributable to Ecolab for 2009 decreased 7% to $417 million. On a per share basis, diluted net income per share decreased 3% to $1.74. Amounts for both 2009 and 2008 included special gains and charges and discrete tax items. Excluding these items from both years adjusted net income attributable to Ecolab increased 3% and adjusted diluted net income per share increased 7%. Currency translation had an unfavorable impact of approximately $25 million, net of tax, or $0.10 per share for 2009 compared to 2008.

 

Net income attributable to Ecolab increased 5% to $448 million in 2008 compared to $427 million in 2007. Diluted net income per share increased 6% to $1.80 per share in 2008, compared to $1.70 per share in 2007. Both years included special gains and charges and discrete tax items. Excluding these items from both years, adjusted net income attributable to Ecolab increased 11% and adjusted diluted net income per share increased 12%. Our 2008 adjusted net income attributable to Ecolab growth was also favorably impacted by currency translation of approximately $13 million, net of tax, and a lower adjusted effective income tax rate compared to 2007.

 

Segment Performance

Our operating segments have been aggregated into three reportable segments: U.S. Cleaning & Sanitizing, U.S. Other Services and International. We evaluate the performance of our International operations based on fixed rates of foreign currency exchange. Therefore, International sales and operating income totals, as well as the International financial information included in this financial discussion, are based on translation into U.S. dollars at the fixed foreign currency exchange rates used by management for 2009. The difference between actual currency exchange rates and the fixed currency exchange rates used by management is included in “Effect of foreign currency translation” within our operating segment results. All other accounting policies of the reportable segments are consistent with U.S. GAAP and the accounting policies of the company described in Note 2. Additional information about our reportable segments is included in Note 16.

 

Sales by Reportable Segment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PERCENT CHANGE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MILLIONS

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cleaning & Sanitizing

 

$

2,663

 

 

 

$

2,661

 

 

$

2,351

 

 

0

%

 

 

13

%

 

Other Services

 

450

 

 

 

469

 

 

450

 

 

(4

)

 

 

4

 

 

Total United States

 

3,113

 

 

 

3,130

 

 

2,801

 

 

(1

)

 

 

12

 

 

International

 

2,675

 

 

 

2,651

 

 

2,492

 

 

1

 

 

 

6

 

 

Total

 

5,788

 

 

 

5,781

 

 

5,293

 

 

0

 

 

 

9

 

 

Effect of foreign currency translation

 

113

 

 

 

357

 

 

177

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated

 

$

5,901

 

 

 

$

6,138

 

 

$

5,470

 

 

(4

)%

 

 

12

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Sales for our largest U.S. Cleaning & Sanitizing businesses were as follows:

 

Institutional - Sales declined 3% in 2009 compared to 2008. New account gains, success with new products and appropriate pricing enabled us to outperform our markets in an unusually soft restaurant and lodging market environment. We continue to see strong results for our Apex TM  solids warewashing line due to customer demand for energy and cost savings solutions. While our markets are expected to remain soft over the near term, we remain confident in their long-term potential, and that our investments in business development, innovation and productivity improvements will continue to deliver steady long-term growth.

 

Food & Beverage - Sales decreased 1% as good results for our core Food & Beverage business were offset by lower Ecovation sales. Excluding the impact of Ecovation, our core Food & Beverage business continued to perform well as sales rose 5%. Food & Beverage enjoyed good gains in the dairy, beverage and food markets as pricing, corporate account wins and new products offset soft results in agri and meat & poultry markets. Water care sales in 2009 were similar to results in 2008. Ecovation experienced a sales decline in 2009 as the sales comparison was negatively impacted by the timing of a large Ecovation project sale in the first quarter of 2008, with the remainder of the unfavorability driven by delays in design/build projects due to the overall economic climate which is causing customers to be reluctant to make capital investments.

 

Kay - Sales were strong in 2009 growing 9% compared to the prior year. Quick service restaurant sales experienced solid growth benefiting from new accounts, new product introductions and growth at existing customers. The food retail business showed strong results due to new account growth.

 

26



 

Healthcare  - Sales increased 11% for 2009. Business acquisitions contributed 2% to the year over year sales growth. Continued solid growth from our infection barrier business and hand hygiene products led the results. Sales growth has also benefited from H1N1 related sales of hand sanitizers during 2009.

 

GRAPHIC

 

U.S. Other Services sales decreased 4% in 2009. Sales for our U.S. Other Services businesses were as follows:

 

Pest Elimination - Pest Elimination experienced a 1% sales decline in 2009 as weakness in full service restaurants and hospitality more than offset gains in the quick service restaurant and food & beverage plant markets. Both contract and non-contract services were lower. New account gains are being offset by customer cancellations as our customers focused on reducing their spending due to the soft economy.

 

GCS Service - Sales declined 11% in 2009 compared to the prior year. The difficult economic conditions and uncertainty in the foodservice market caused existing customers to delay repairs and maintenance, and prospective customers to delay the start of new programs. We also chose to exit some low-margin business during the year. Despite the challenging environment, our corporate account prospect pipeline remains healthy.

 

 

We evaluate the performance of our International operations based on fixed rates of foreign currency exchange. When measured in fixed currency rates, sales for our International operations increased 1% in 2009. When measured at public foreign currency rates, International sales decreased 7%. Fixed currency sales changes for our International regions were as follows:

 

Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) - Sales declined 2% in 2009 compared to 2008 as the significant slowdown in foodservice and hospitality markets in Europe more than offset sales growth in the Middle East and Africa. In Europe, sales growth in the U.K. was offset by lower sales in Germany, France and Italy as the region continues to be negatively impacted by the global economic recession. From a divisional perspective, our Healthcare business continued to show solid growth in the region while Institutional, Food & Beverage, Textile Care and Pest Elimination businesses all reported modest sales declines. In 2009 we continued the implementation of our new business information system, EBS, which will provide the platform to effectively manage our pan-European business to drive growth and more efficiently operate our supply chain.

 

Asia Pacific - Sales increased 4% in 2009 compared to the prior year. New customer account gains and increased product penetration in key markets helped overcome the impact of economic uncertainty and low levels of business travel and tourism in the region. Sales growth in the region continued to be led by growth in Food & Beverage. From a country perspective, sales growth has been driven by China, Australia and New Zealand.

 

Latin America  - We continue to experience strong sales growth in Latin America as sales in the region increased 8% in 2009. Our Institutional, Food & Beverage and Pest Elimination businesses all showed strong gains in the region against weak economic conditions. Growth was driven by new corporate account wins and increased product penetration within existing accounts. This helped to offset the economic slowdown brought about by the global recession and the initial H1N1 virus outbreak in Mexico that negatively impacted the tourism and lodging industry throughout the region. From a country perspective, sales were led by continued strong gains in Venezuela and Brazil.

 

Canada  - Sales increased 8% in 2009. Sales growth was led by strong results from Food & Beverage, driven by new account gains and product price increases. Institutional also reported sales growth in 2009 led by pricing, success with distributor partners and new account wins during the year.

 

Operating Income by Reportable Segment

 

MILLIONS

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cleaning & Sanitizing

 

$

495

 

 

$

430

 

 

$

394

 

 

Other Services

 

66

 

 

52

 

 

41

 

 

Total United States

 

561

 

 

482

 

 

435

 

 

International

 

209

 

 

236

 

 

247

 

 

Total

 

770

 

 

718

 

 

682

 

 

Corporate

 

(104

)

 

(55

)

 

(40

)

 

Effect of foreign currency translation

 

15

 

 

50

 

 

27

 

 

Consolidated

 

$

681

 

 

$

713

 

 

$

669

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income as a percent of net sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cleaning & Sanitizing

 

18.6

%

 

16.2

%

 

16.8

%

 

Other Services

 

14.6

 

 

11.1

 

 

9.1

 

 

Total United States

 

18.0

 

 

15.4

 

 

15.5

 

 

International

 

7.8

 

 

8.9

 

 

9.9

 

 

Consolidated

 

11.5

%

 

11.6

%

 

12.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

27



 

U.S. Cleaning & Sanitizing operating income increased 15% in 2009 compared to 2008. As a percentage of net sales, operating income increased to 18.6% in 2009 from 16.2% in 2008. Increased pricing, favorable raw material costs and cost savings actions drove the significant operating income growth in 2009.

 

U.S. Other Services operating income increased 27% in 2009. As a percentage of net sales, operating income increased to 14.6% in 2009 from 11.1% in 2008. Operating income growth was driven by good operating income growth at Pest Elimination and significant improvement in GCS Service operating results compared to 2008. Operating income benefited from pricing, cost savings actions and well-managed spending.

 

International fixed currency operating income decreased 12% in 2009 compared to 2008. The International operating income margin was 7.8% in 2009 compared to 8.9% in 2008. Pricing gains and cost savings efforts were unable to fully offset raw material and other cost increases, and continued investment in the business. When measured at public currency rates, operating income declined 21% in 2009.

 

Operating income margins of our International operations are generally less than those realized for our U.S. operations. The lower International margins are due to (i) the smaller scale of International operations where many operating locations are smaller in size, (ii) the additional cost of operating in numerous and diverse foreign jurisdictions and (iii) higher costs of importing certain raw materials and finished goods in some regions. Proportionately larger investments in sales, technical support and administrative personnel are also necessary in order to facilitate the growth of our International operations.

 

Corporate

The corporate segment includes special gains and charges reported on the Consolidated Statement of Income of $80 million, $26 million and $20 million for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. It also included investments in the development of business systems and other corporate investments we made during the last three years as part of our ongoing efforts to improve our efficiency and returns.

 

2008 Compared With 2007

U.S. Cleaning & Sanitizing sales increased 13% in 2008. Acquisitions added 7% of the 13% year-over-year sales growth. Sales growth was led by Kay, Healthcare and Food & Beverage gains. Institutional sales increased 5% in 2008 as we saw very strong sales of our new Apex TM  warewashing system due to customer demand for energy and cost saving solutions. New business gains also continued, but were partially offset by lower consumption among our foodservice and lodging customers as they experienced a softening of their traffic trends due to the economic environment. Beginning in the first quarter of 2008, following the Ecovation acquisition, we combined our Water Care Services and Ecovation businesses into our Food & Beverage division. Food & Beverage customers are the primary targets for our Water Care sales and there are potential synergies and efficiencies available between Water Care and Ecovation. Combined Food & Beverage sales, including Water Care and Ecovation, increased 17% in 2008 compared to 2007. The acquisition of Ecovation added 8% to the sales growth. Sales were led by strong growth in the agri, meat & poultry and dairy market segments. New business gains, growth at existing accounts and customer retention continue to fuel organic growth in spite of more difficult market conditions in 2008. Kay sales grew 15% in 2008. Kay’s strong sales growth reflected new account gains and success with new products and programs. Business trends were strong with very good ongoing demand from new and existing quick service restaurant customers. Sales for our Healthcare business increased significantly in 2008, reflecting the impact of the Microtek acquisition in the fourth quarter of 2007. Excluding the impact of the Microtek acquisition, Healthcare sales rose 11% for the year reflecting continued end-market demand for our infection control and skin care products. The Microtek business reported strong sales growth for the year led by sales of their infection control barriers.

 

U.S. Other Services sales increased 4% in 2008. Pest Elimination reported 7% sales growth for the year led by continued growth in contract services due to the addition of new customer locations and new programs. Sales growth slowed beginning in the fourth quarter of 2008 as we saw reduced discretionary spending by our Pest Elimination customers due to the current recession. GCS Service sales declined 1% in 2008 compared to 2007. Moderate service sales growth was offset by a decline in direct parts sales during the year. GCS Service sales declined beginning in the fourth quarter due to softness in the foodservice market and reduced discretionary spending on equipment maintenance.

 

We evaluate the performance of our International operations based on fixed rates of foreign currency exchange. Fixed rate sales of our International operations grew 6% in 2008. The net impact of acquisitions and divestitures did not have a significant impact on total International year-over-year sales growth in 2008. Sales in EMEA increased 3% in 2008 led by sales growth in Germany, U.K., Turkey and South Africa. The net impact of acquisitions and divestitures reduced EMEA sales growth by 2% compared to 2007, primarily due to the divestiture of a business in the U.K. Asia Pacific sales grew 8% in 2008 led by double-digit growth in China and Hong Kong as well as good growth in Australia and New Zealand. Asia Pacific sales benefited from new corporate accounts and good results in the beverage and brewery market. Latin America sales continued to be strong, rising 15% in 2008 as sales were strong throughout the region. The increase over 2007 was led by double-digit growth in Brazil, Chile and the Caribbean. Sales benefited from new account gains, growth of existing accounts and success with new programs. In the fourth quarter of 2008 we began to experience some softening in the Latin America region, primarily Mexico and the Caribbean, due to the current economic environment. Sales in Canada increased 6% in 2008. Sales growth in Canada continued to be led by Institutional growth due to new products and good account retention.

 

U.S. Cleaning & Sanitizing operating income increased 9% in 2008. As a percentage of net sales, operating income decreased to 16.2% in 2008 from 16.8% in 2007. Acquisitions reduced operating income growth by 2%. Operating income increased as sales volume, pricing, improved cost efficiencies and variable compensation reductions more than offset higher delivered product costs.

 

U.S. Other Services operating income increased 27% in 2008 compared to 2007. Operating income growth was driven by continued operating income growth at Pest Elimination. GCS operating results improved in the fourth quarter of 2008 but were flat for the full year. As a percentage of net sales, operating income increased to 11.1% in 2008 from 9.1% in 2007. The increase in the ratio was primarily due to continued profit growth at Pest Elimination as well as a favorable comparison to 2007 which included legal charges at Pest Elimination and system implementation costs at GCS.

 

28



 

International fixed rate operating income decreased 4% in 2008 compared to 2007. The International operating income margin was 8.9% in 2008 compared to 9.9% in 2007. Higher delivered product costs and investments in our international business more than offset sales gains, driving the decline in operating income in 2008. When measured at public currency rates, operating income increased 3% in 2008. Acquisitions and divestitures did not have a significant impact on International operating income.

 

FINANCIAL POSITION & LIQUIDITY

Financial Position

Significant changes in our financial position during 2009 included the following:

 

Total assets increased to $5.0 billion as of December 31, 2009 from $4.8 billion at December 31, 2008. The increase was primarily due to the impact of foreign currency exchange rates, which increased the value of international assets on our balance sheet when translated into U.S. dollars. The increase due to currency translation more than offset reductions in accounts receivables, inventory and other assets on our balance sheet when measured using local currencies before translation into U.S. dollars.

 

Total liabilities decreased to $3.0 billion at December 31, 2009 from $3.2 billion at December 31, 2008 primarily due to a decrease in our short-term debt and a reduction of our U.S. pension liability, which more than offset an increase in liabilities due to currency translation.

 

GRAPHIC

 

Total debt was $1.0 billion at December 31, 2009 and decreased from total debt of $1.1 billion at December 31, 2008. Our debt continued to be rated within the “A” categories by the major rating agencies during 2009. The decrease in total debt was primarily due to the paydown of our outstanding commercial paper during 2009. In February 2008, we issued and sold $250 million of 4.875% senior unsecured notes that mature in 2015. The proceeds were used to refinance outstanding commercial paper related to acquisitions and for general corporate purposes. The ratio of total debt to capitalization (total debt divided by the sum of total equity and total debt) was 32% at year-end 2009 and 42% at year-end 2008. The debt to capitalization ratio was lower at year-end 2009 due to the decrease in debt as well as an increase in equity due to cumulative translation adjustments and an increase in retained earnings. We view our debt to capitalization ratio as an important indicator of our creditworthiness.

 

Cash Flows

 

Cash provided by operating activities decreased to $695 million in 2009 compared to $753 million in 2008. The decrease in operating cash flow was primarily due to an increase in pension plan contributions. In 2009 we made voluntary contributions of $225 million to our U.S. pension plan compared to $75 million in 2008. Operating cash flow in 2009 was also negatively impacted by the payment of a $35 million legal settlement, higher tax payments and restructuring payments of $50 million in 2009, compared to 2008. 2009 operating cash flow benefited from lower working capital, including improved accounts receivable collection and lower inventory. 2008 operating cash flow included $30 million of proceeds from the sale of Ecovation lease receivables. Our bad debt expense increased to $27 million or 0.4% of net sales in 2009 from $23 million or 0.4% of net sales in 2008. We continue to monitor our receivable portfolio and the creditworthiness of our customers closely and do not expect our future cash flow to be materially impacted. Historically, we have had strong operating cash flow, and we anticipate this will continue. We expect to continue to use this cash flow to pay dividends, acquire new businesses, repurchase our common stock, pay down debt and meet our ongoing obligations and commitments.

 

Cash used for investing activities decreased significantly in 2009 compared to 2008 and 2007, primarily due to decreased acquisition activity and capital expenditures. We reduced our capital spending in 2009 due to the slower economic environment, efforts to more efficiently allocate and utilize equipment and as we focused on restructuring and streamlining our business operations. Cash used for investing activities in 2008 included a $21 million deposit into an indemnification escrow for a portion of the purchase price for the Ecovation acquisition. We continue to target strategic business acquisitions which complement our growth strategy. We also continue to invest in merchandising equipment consisting primarily of systems used by our customers to dispense our cleaning and sanitizing products. We expect to continue to make significant capital investments and acquisitions in the future to support our long-term growth.

 

Our cash flows from financing activities reflect issuances and repayment of debt, common stock repurchases, dividend payments and proceeds from common stock issuances related to our equity incentive programs. 2009 financing activities included a $242 million paydown of our U.S. commercial paper and $69 million of share repurchases. 2008 financing activities included the issuance of $250 million 4.875% senior notes and $337 million of share repurchases. 2007 financing activities included the repayment of our euro 300 million ($390 million) 5.375% euronotes in February 2007 and $371 million of share repurchases, offset partially by short-term borrowings. Share repurchases were funded with operating cash flows, short-term borrowing and cash from the exercise of employee stock options. Shares are repurchased for the purpose of offsetting the dilutive effect of stock options and incentives, to efficiently return capital to shareholders and for general

 

29



 

corporate purposes. Cash proceeds and tax benefits from option exercises provide a portion of the funding for repurchase activity.

 

In December 2009, we increased our indicated annual dividend rate for the 18th consecutive year. We have paid dividends on our common stock for 73 consecutive years. Cash dividends declared per share of common stock, by quarter, for each of the last three years were as follows:

 

 

 

FIRST
QUARTER

 

SECOND
QUARTER

 

THIRD
QUARTER

 

FOURTH
QUARTER

 

YEAR

 

2009

 

$0.1400

 

 

$0.1400

 

 

$0.1400

 

 

$0.1550

 

 

$0.5750

 

 

2008

 

0.1300

 

 

0.1300

 

 

0.1300

 

 

0.1400

 

 

0.5300

 

 

2007

 

0.1150

 

 

0.1150

 

 

0.1150

 

 

0.1300

 

 

0.4750

 

 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

We currently expect to fund all of our cash requirements which are reasonably foreseeable for 2010, including scheduled debt repayments, new investments in the business, share repurchases, dividend payments, possible business acquisitions and pension contributions from operating cash flow, cash reserves and additional short-term and/or long-term borrowings. In the event of a significant acquisition or other significant funding need, funding may occur through additional short and/or long-term borrowings or through the issuance of the company’s common stock.

 

Beginning in the third quarter of 2008, global credit markets, including the commercial paper markets, began experiencing adverse conditions, and volatility within these markets temporarily increased the costs associated with issuing debt due to increased spreads over relevant interest rate benchmarks. We continued to have access to the commercial paper market during this volatile and disruptive period. While the credit markets have improved and stabilized in 2009, we believe we are well-positioned to manage any renewed volatility in the credit markets as a result of our A-1/P-1 short term debt ratings and strong operating cash flow.

 

As of December 31, 2009, we had $74 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand and expect our operating cash flow to remain strong. Additionally, we have a $600 million multi-year credit facility with a diverse group of banks which expires in June 2012. The credit facility supports our $600 million U.S. commercial paper program and our $200 million European commercial paper program. Combined borrowing under these two commercial paper programs may not exceed $600 million. As of December 31, 2009, we had $74 million outstanding in our U.S. commercial paper program and no amounts outstanding under our European commercial paper program. Both programs are rated A-1 by Standard & Poor’s and P-1 by Moody’s.

 

In addition, we have other committed and uncommitted credit lines of $150 million with major international banks and financial institutions to support our general global funding needs. Approximately $134 million of these credit lines were undrawn and available for use as of our 2009 year end.

 

We are in compliance with all covenants and other requirements of our credit agreements and indentures.

 

A downgrade in our credit rating could limit or preclude our ability to issue commercial paper under our current programs. A credit rating downgrade could also adversely affect our ability to renew existing or negotiate new credit facilities in the future and could increase the cost of these facilities.

 

Should this occur, we could seek additional sources of funding, including issuing term notes or bonds. In addition, we have the ability, at our option, to draw upon our $600 million committed credit facility prior to their termination.

 

A schedule of our obligations under various notes payable, long-term debt agreements, operating leases with noncancelable terms in excess of one year, interest obligations and benefit payments are summarized in the following table:

 

MILLIONS

 

PAYMENTS DUE BY PERIOD

Contractual
obligations

TOTAL

LESS
THAN
1YEAR

2-3
YEARS

4-5
YEARS

MORE
THAN
5 YEARS

Notes payable

$

91

 

$

91

 

$

 

$

 

$

 

Long-term debt

859

 

2

 

153

 

190

 

514

 

Capital lease obligations

18

 

6

 

7

 

4

 

1

 

Operating leases

203

 

61

 

81

 

36

 

25

 

Interest*

197

 

45

 

69

 

58

 

25

 

Benefit payments**

1,007

 

72

 

160

 

180

 

595

 

Total contractual cash obligations

$

2,375

 

$

277

 

$

470

 

$

468

 

$

1,160

 

 

*                    Interest on variable rate debt was calculated using the interest rate at year-end 2009.

**               Benefit payments are paid out of the company’s pension and postretirement health care benefit plans.

 

As of December 31, 2009, our gross liability for uncertain tax positions was $117 million. We are not able to reasonably estimate the amount by which the liability will increase or decrease over an extended period of time or whether a cash settlement of the liability will be required. Therefore, these amounts have been excluded from the schedule of contractual obligations.

 

We are not required to make any contributions to our U.S. pension and postretirement healthcare benefit plans in 2010, based on plan asset values as of December 31, 2009 and have not determined whether or not we will do so. We are in compliance with all funding requirements of our pension and postretirement health care plans. We are required to fund certain international pension benefit plans in accordance with local legal requirements. We estimate contributions to be made to our international plans will approximate $28 million in 2010. These amounts have been excluded from the schedule of contractual obligations.

 

We lease sales and administrative office facilities, distribution center facilities and other equipment under longer-term operating leases. Vehicle leases are generally shorter in duration. Vehicle leases have guaranteed residual value requirements that have historically been satisfied primarily by the proceeds on the sale of the vehicles.

 

Except for approximately $53 million of letters of credit supporting domestic and international commercial relationships and transactions, primarily for our North America self-insurance program, we do not have significant unconditional purchase obligations, or significant other commercial commitments, such as commitments under lines of credit, standby letters of credit, guarantees, standby repurchase obligations or other commercial commitments.

 

30



 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

Other than operating leases, we do not have any off-balance sheet financing arrangements. See Note 12 for information on our operating leases. We do not have relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as “special purposes entities”, which are sometimes established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet financial arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. As such, we are not exposed to any financing, liquidity, market or credit risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

Effective January 1, 2009, we adopted the provisions of new FASB guidance on noncontrolling interests and revised our current and prior year financial statement presentation in accordance with this guidance. See Note 2 for further information on this adoption and other new accounting pronouncements.

 

Market Risk

We enter into contractual arrangements (derivatives) in the ordinary course of business to manage foreign currency exposure and interest rate risks. We do not enter into derivatives for trading purposes. Our use of derivatives is subject to internal policies that provide guidelines for control, counterparty risk and ongoing monitoring and reporting and is designed to reduce the volatility associated with movements in foreign exchange and interest rates on our income statement and cash flows.

 

We enter into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge certain intercompany financial arrangements, and to hedge against the effect of exchange rate fluctuations on transactions related to cash flows denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars. See Note 8 for further information on our hedging activity.

 

We manage interest expense using a mix of fixed and floating rate debt. To help manage borrowing costs, we may enter into interest rate swap agreements. Under these arrangements, we agree to exchange, at specified intervals, the difference between fixed and floating interest amounts calculated by reference to an agreed-upon notional principal amount. As of December 31, 2009 and 2008, we did not have any interest rate swaps outstanding.

 

Based on a sensitivity analysis (assuming a 10% adverse change in market rates) of our foreign exchange and interest rate derivatives and other financial instruments, changes in exchange rates or interest rates would not materially affect our financial position and liquidity. The effect on our results of operations would be substantially offset by the impact of the hedged items.

 

Subsequent Events

Beginning in 2010, Venezuela has been designated hyper-inflationary and as such all foreign currency fluctuations are recorded in income. On January 8, 2010 the Venezuelan government devalued its currency (Bolivar Fuerte). As a result of the devaluation, we recorded a charge of approximately $4 million, net of tax, in the first quarter of 2010 due to the remeasurement of the local balance sheet. We expect that future ongoing currency gains and losses related to the translation of the Venezuela local financial statements will not have a material impact on our future consolidated results of operations or financial position.

 

In February 2010, our Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 10 million shares of our common stock. As of December 31, 2009, 2,720,784 shares remained to be repurchased under previous authorization. We intend to repurchase all shares under both authorizations, for which no expiration dates have been established, in open market or privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions.

 

We have evaluated and determined that there were no other material subsequent events required to be recognized or disclosed as of February 26, 2010, the date these financial statements were issued.

 

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This Financial Discussion includes financial measures that have not been calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. (GAAP). These Non-GAAP measures include fixed currency sales and fixed currency operating income, adjusted operating income, adjusted effective tax rate, adjusted net income attributable to Ecolab and adjusted diluted net income per share amounts. We provide these measures as additional information regarding our operating results. We use these Non-GAAP measures internally to evaluate our performance and in making financial and operational decisions, including with respect to incentive compensation. We believe that our presentation of these measures provides investors with greater transparency with respect to our results of operations and that these measures are useful for period-to-period comparison of results.

 

We include in special gains and charges items that are unusual in nature, significant in amount and important to an understanding of underlying business performance. In order to better allow investors to compare underlying business performance period-to-period, we provide adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted diluted net income per share, which exclude special gains and charges and discrete tax items.

 

The adjusted effective tax rate measure promotes period-to-period comparability of the underlying effective tax rate because the amounts excluded do not necessarily reflect costs associated with historical trends or expected future costs.

 

We evaluate the performance of our international operations based on fixed currency rates of foreign exchange. Fixed currency sales and fixed currency operating income measures eliminate the impact of exchange rate fluctuations on our international sales and operating income, respectively, and promote a better understanding of our underlying sales and operating income trends. Fixed currency amounts are based on translation into U.S. dollars at fixed foreign currency exchange rates established by management at the beginning of 2009.

 

These measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative to GAAP, and may be different from Non-GAAP measures used by other companies. Investors should not rely on any single financial measure when evaluating our business. We recommend that investors view these measures in conjunction with the GAAP measures included in this Financial Discussion and have provided reconciliations of reported GAAP amounts to the Non-GAAP amounts.

 

31



 

Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors

This financial discussion and other portions of this Annual Report to Shareholders contain various “Forward-Looking Statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include expectations concerning items such as:

 

              business acquisitions

 

              system implementations

 

              restructuring charges and cost savings

 

              cash flows

 

              loss of customers and bad debt

 

              debt repayments

 

              disputes and claims

 

              environmental and regulatory considerations

 

              share repurchases

 

              global economic conditions, credit risk and currency gains and losses

 

              pension expenses and potential contributions

 

              new accounting pronouncements

 

              income taxes, including unrecognized tax benefits or uncertain tax positions

 

              borrowing capacity

 

              liquidity requirements

 

              sales and earnings growth

 

              end market trends and demand for our products and services

 

              new product and program introductions

 

              progress on sustainability

 

              investments

 

              and operating efficiencies and SKU reduction

 

Without limiting the foregoing, words or phrases such as “will likely result,” “are expected to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “we believe,” “we expect,” “estimate,” “project” (including the negative or variations thereof) or similar terminology, generally identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements may also represent challenging goals for us. We caution that undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Some of the factors which could cause results to differ from those expressed in any forward-looking statements are set forth under Item 1A of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, entitled Risk Factors.

 

In addition, we note that our stock price can be affected by fluctuations in quarterly earnings. There can be no assurances that our earnings levels will meet investors’ expectations. Except as may be required under applicable law, we undertake no duty to update our Forward-Looking Statements.

 

32



 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

 

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 (MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE)

 

 

2009

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

 

$

5,900.6

 

 

$

6,137.5

 

$

5,469.6

 

Operating expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales (including special charges of $12.6 in 2009)

 

 

2,978.0

 

 

3,141.6

 

2,691.7

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

2,174.2

 

 

2,257.2

 

2,089.2

 

Special gains and charges

 

 

67.1

 

 

25.9

 

19.7

 

Operating income

 

 

681.3

 

 

712.8

 

669.0

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

61.2

 

 

61.6

 

51.0

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

620.1

 

 

651.2

 

618.0

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

201.4

 

 

202.8

 

189.1

 

Net income including noncontrolling interest

 

 

418.7

 

 

448.4

 

428.9

 

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

1.4

 

 

0.3

 

1.7

 

Net income attributable to Ecolab

 

 

$

417.3

 

 

$

448.1

 

$

427.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Ecolab per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

$

1.76

 

 

$

1.83

 

$

1.73

 

Diluted

 

 

$

1.74

 

 

$

1.80

 

$

1.70

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends declared per common share

 

 

$

0.5750

 

 

$

0.5300

 

$

0.4750

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

236.7

 

 

245.4

 

246.8

 

Diluted

 

 

239.9

 

 

249.3

 

251.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33



 

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

 

DECEMBER 31 (MILLIONS)

 

2009

 

 

2008

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

73.6

 

 

$

66.7

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

1,016.1

 

 

971.0

 

Inventories

 

493.4

 

 

467.2

 

Deferred income taxes

 

83.9

 

 

94.7

 

Other current assets

 

147.2

 

 

91.5

 

Total current assets

 

1,814.2

 

 

1,691.1

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

1,176.2

 

 

1,135.2

 

Goodwill

 

1,414.1

 

 

1,267.7

 

Other intangible assets, net

 

312.5

 

 

326.7

 

Other assets

 

303.9

 

 

336.2

 

Total assets

 

$

5,020.9

 

 

$

4,756.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term debt

 

$

98.5

 

 

$

338.9

 

Accounts payable

 

360.9

 

 

359.6

 

Compensation and benefits

 

302.1

 

 

261.1

 

Income taxes

 

21.8

 

 

46.3

 

Other current liabilities

 

466.9

 

 

436.0

 

Total current liabilities

 

1,250.2

 

 

1,441.9

 

Long-term debt

 

868.8

 

 

799.3

 

Postretirement health care and pension benefits

 

603.7

 

 

680.2

 

Other liabilities

 

288.6

 

 

256.5

 

Shareholders’ equity (a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock

 

329.8

 

 

328.0

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

1,179.3

 

 

1,090.5

 

Retained earnings

 

2,898.1

 

 

2,617.0

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(232.9

)

 

(359.1

)

Treasury stock

 

(2,173.4

)

 

(2,104.8

)

Total Ecolab shareholders’ equity

 

2,000.9

 

 

1,571.6

 

Noncontrolling interest

 

8.7

 

 

7.4

 

Total equity

 

2,009.6

 

 

1,579.0

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

5,020.9

 

 

$

4,756.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a)          Common stock, 400.0 million shares authorized, $1.00 par value, 236.6 million shares outstanding at December 31, 2009, 236.2 million shares outstanding at December 31, 2008.

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

34



 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

 

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31 (MILLIONS)

 

2009

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income including noncontrolling interest

 

$

418.7

 

 

$

448.4

 

$

428.9

 

Adjustments to reconcile net income including noncontrolling interest to cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

334.3

 

 

334.7

 

291.9

 

Deferred income taxes

 

88.1

 

 

80.6

 

2.5

 

Share-based compensation expense

 

37.3

 

 

33.6

 

37.9

 

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

 

(7.7

)

 

(8.2

)

(20.6

)

Pension and postretirement plan contributions

 

(263.7

)

 

(112.4

)

(40.7

)

Pension and postretirement plan expense

 

82.0

 

 

73.6

 

80.9

 

Restructuring, net of cash paid

 

22.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on sale of plant

 

 

 

 

(24.5

)

 

 

Gain on sale of businesses

 

 

 

 

(1.7

)

(11.0

)

Business write-downs and closures

 

2.4

 

 

19.1

 

 

 

Other, net

 

12.9

 

 

7.0

 

6.9

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

45.1

 

 

(89.9

)

(34.4

)

Inventories

 

13.0

 

 

(57.5

)

(19.3

)

Other assets

 

(30.7

)

 

6.8

 

20.7

 

Accounts payable

 

(25.1

)

 

30.0

 

(10.0

)

Other liabilities

 

(34.0

)

 

13.6

 

63.9

 

Cash provided by operating activities

 

695.0

 

 

753.2

 

797.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(252.5

)

 

(326.7

)

(306.5

)

Capitalized software expenditures

 

(44.8

)

 

(67.8

)

(55.0

)

Property sold

 

11.7

 

 

36.4

 

7.4

 

Businesses acquired and investments in affiliates, net of cash acquired

 

(14.4

)

 

(203.8

)

(329.4

)

Sale of businesses

 

0.7

 

 

2.2

 

19.8

 

Deposit into indemnification escrow

 

 

 

 

(21.0

)

 

 

Cash used for investing activities

 

(299.3

)

 

(580.7

)

(663.7

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (repayments) issuances of notes payable

 

(244.0

)

 

(67.8

)

279.9

 

Long-term debt borrowings

 

 

 

 

257.7

 

 

 

Long-term debt repayments

 

(6.4

)

 

(3.9

)

(394.2

)

Reacquired shares

 

(68.8

)

 

(337.2

)

(371.4

)

Cash dividends on common stock

 

(132.7

)

 

(128.5

)

(114.0

)

Exercise of employee stock options

 

46.4

 

 

36.4

 

96.7

 

Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements

 

7.7

 

 

8.2

 

20.6

 

Other, net

 

 

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

Cash used for financing activities

 

(397.8

)

 

(235.6

)

(482.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

9.0

 

 

(7.6

)

1.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

6.9

 

 

(70.7

)

(346.6

)

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year

 

66.7

 

 

137.4

 

484.0

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of year

 

$

73.6

 

 

$

66.7

 

$

137.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income taxes paid

 

$

143.5

 

 

$

100.4

 

$

161.0

 

Interest paid

 

66.4

 

 

64.3

 

75.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

35


 

 


 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

ECOLAB SHAREHOLDERS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ACCUMULATED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ADDITIONAL

 

 

 

OTHER

 

 

 

TOTAL ECOLAB

 

NON-

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMON

 

PAID-IN

 

RETAINED

 

COMPREHENSIVE

 

TREASURY

 

SHAREHOLDERS’

 

CONTROLLING

 

 

 

 

MILLIONS

 

 

STOCK

 

CAPITAL

 

EARNINGS

 

INCOME (LOSS)

 

STOCK

 

EQUITY

 

INTEREST

 

TOTAL

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance December 31, 2006

 

 

$   322.6

 

$   868.2

 

$   1,983.2

 

$    (96.5

)

$  (1,397.3

)

$  1,680.2

 

$       6.4

 

$ 1,686.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

427.2

 

 

 

 

 

427.2

 

1.7

 

428.9

 

 

Cumulative translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

128.8

 

 

 

128.8

 

0.5

 

129.3

 

 

Derivative instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.3

)

 

 

(2.3

)

 

 

(2.3

)

 

Pension and postretirement benefits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

33.1

 

 

 

33.1

 

 

 

33.1

 

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

586.8

 

2.2

 

589.0

 

 

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.4

)

(1.4

)

 

Cumulative effect accounting adoption

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.1

 

 

 

 

 

5.1

 

 

 

5.1

 

 

Cash dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

 

(117.1

)

 

 

 

 

(117.1

)

 

 

(117.1

)

 

Stock options and awards

 

 

3.9

 

147.0

 

 

 

 

 

0.5

 

151.4

 

 

 

151.4

 

 

Reacquired shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(370.7

)

(370.7

)

 

 

(370.7

)

 

Balance December 31, 2007

 

 

326.5

 

1,015.2

 

2,298.4

 

63.1

 

(1,767.5

)

1,935.7

 

7.2

 

1,942.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

448.1

 

 

 

 

 

448.1

 

0.3

 

448.4

 

 

Cumulative translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(233.6

)

 

 

(233.6

)

(0.1

)

(233.7

)

 

Derivative instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13.8

 

 

 

13.8

 

 

 

13.8

 

 

Unrealized gains (losses) on securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(0.4

)

(0.2

)

(0.6

)

 

Pension and postretirement benefits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(202.0

)

 

 

(202.0

)

 

 

(202.0

)

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

25.9

 

-

 

25.9

 

 

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.1

)

(1.1

)

 

Initial investment by

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.3

 

1.3

 

 

Cash dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

 

(129.5

)

 

 

 

 

(129.5

)

 

 

(129.5

)

 

Stock options and awards

 

 

1.5

 

75.3

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

76.7

 

 

 

76.7

 

 

Reacquired shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(337.2

)

(337.2

)

 

 

(337.2

)

 

Balance December 31, 2008

 

 

328.0

 

1,090.5

 

2,617.0

 

(359.1

)

(2,104.8

)

1,571.6

 

7.4

 

1,579.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

417.3

 

 

 

 

 

417.3

 

1.4

 

418.7

 

 

Cumulative translation adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

199.3

 

 

 

199.3

 

0.3

 

199.6

 

 

Derivative instruments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(12.0

)

 

 

(12.0

)

 

 

(12.0

)

 

Unrealized gains (losses) on securities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.3

 

0.1

 

0.4

 

 

Pension and postretirement benefits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(61.4

)

 

 

(61.4

)

 

 

(61.4

)

 

Total comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

543.5

 

1.8

 

545.3

 

 

Distributions to noncontrolling interests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.3

)

(0.3

)

 

Purchase of shares from

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

noncontrolling interest

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

(0.2

)

 

Cash dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

 

(136.2

)

 

 

 

 

(136.2

)

 

 

(136.2

)

 

Stock options and awards

 

 

1.8

 

88.8

 

 

 

 

 

0.2

 

90.8

 

 

 

90.8

 

 

Reacquired shares

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(68.8

)

(68.8

)

 

 

(68.8

)

 

Balance December 31, 2009

 

 

$   329.8

 

$ 1,179.3

 

$   2,898.1

 

$    (232.9

)

$  (2,173.4

)

$  2,000.9

 

$       8.7

 

$ 2,009.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

COMMON STOCK ACTIVITY

 

 

 

2009

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31

 

COMMON

 

TREASURY

 

 

COMMON

 

TREASURY

 

COMMON

 

TREASURY

 

(SHARES)

 

STOCK

 

STOCK

 

 

STOCK

 

STOCK

 

STOCK

 

STOCK

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares, beginning of year

 

327,953,382

 

(91,773,833

)

 

326,530,856

 

(79,705,760

)

322,578,427

 

(71,241,560

)

Stock options

 

1,872,268

 

56,810

 

 

1,422,526

 

60,932

 

3,952,429

 

49,197

 

Stock awards, net issuances

 

 

 

27,342

 

 

 

 

45,336

 

 

 

50,702

 

Reacquired shares

 

 

 

(1,541,228

)

 

 

 

(12,174,341

)

 

 

(8,564,099

)

Shares, end of year

 

329,825,650

 

(93,230,909

)

 

327,953,382

 

(91,773,833

)

326,530,856

 

(79,705,760

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial statements.

 

36



 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 

1. NATURE OF BUSINESS

Ecolab Inc. (the “company”) develops and markets premium products and services for the hospitality, foodservice, healthcare and industrial markets. The company provides cleaning and sanitizing products and programs, as well as pest elimination, maintenance and repair services primarily to customers in the foodservice, food and beverage processing, hospitality, healthcare, government and education, retail, textile care, commercial facilities management and vehicle wash sectors.

 

2. SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the company and all majority-owned subsidiaries. International subsidiaries are included in the financial statements on the basis of their November 30 fiscal year-ends to facilitate the timely inclusion of such entities in the company’s consolidated financial reporting. All intercompany transactions and profits are eliminated in consolidation.

 

Use of Estimates

The preparation of the company’s financial statements requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

 

Foreign Currency Translation

Financial position and results of operations of the company’s international subsidiaries are measured using local currencies as the functional currency. Assets and liabilities of these operations are translated at the exchange rates in effect at each fiscal year end. The translation adjustments related to assets and liabilities that arise from the use of differing exchange rates from period to period are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss in shareholders’ equity. Income statement accounts are translated at average rates of exchange prevailing during the year. The company evaluates its International operations based on fixed rates of exchange; however, the different exchange rates from period to period impact the amount of reported income from consolidated operations.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents include highly-liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased.

 

Allowance For Doubtful Accounts

The company estimates the balance of allowance for doubtful accounts by analyzing accounts receivable balances by age and applying historical write-off trend rates. The company’s estimates include separately providing for specific customer balances when it is deemed probable that the balance is uncollectible. Account balances are charged off against the allowance when it is probable the receivable will not be recovered.

 

The company’s allowance for doubtful accounts balance includes an allowance for the expected return of products shipped and credits related to pricing or quantities shipped of approximately $10 million as of December 31, 2009 and $9 million as of December 31, 2008 and 2007. Returns and credit activity is recorded directly to sales.

 

The following table summarizes the activity in the allowance for doubtful accounts:

 

MILLIONS

 

2009

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beginning balance

 

$44

 

 

 

$43

 

 

$38

 

 

Bad debt expense

 

27

 

 

 

23

 

 

16

 

 

Write-offs

 

(23

)

 

 

(20

)

 

(17

)

 

Other*

 

4

 

 

 

(2

)

 

6

 

 

Ending balance

 

$52

 

 

 

$44

 

 

$43

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*  Other amounts are primarily the effects of changes in currency translation and acquisitions.

 

Inventory Valuations

Inventories are valued at the lower of cost or market. Domestic chemical inventory costs are determined on a last-in, first-out (LIFO) basis. LIFO inventories represented 22% and 24% of consolidated inventories at year-end 2009 and 2008, respectively. All other inventory costs are determined on a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis.

 

Property, Plant and Equipment

Property, plant and equipment are stated at cost. Merchandising equipment consists principally of various systems that dispense the company’s cleaning and sanitizing products and dishwashing machines. The dispensing systems are accounted for on a mass asset basis, whereby equipment is capitalized and depreciated as a group and written off when fully depreciated. The company capitalizes both internal and external costs of development or purchase of computer software for internal use. Costs incurred for data conversion, training and maintenance associated with capitalized software are expensed as incurred.

 

Depreciation is charged to operations using the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated useful lives ranging from 5 to 40 years for buildings and leaseholds, 3 to 11 years for machinery and equipment and 3 to 7 years for merchandising equipment and capital software. Total depreciation expense was $290 million, $286 million and $261 million for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense as incurred. Expenditures for major renewals and improvements, which significantly extend the useful lives of existing plant and equipment, are capitalized and depreciated.

 

Upon retirement or disposition of plant and equipment, the cost and related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is recognized in income.

 

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Goodwill and other intangible assets arise principally from business acquisitions. Goodwill represents the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired. Other intangible assets primarily include customer relationships, intellectual property, trademarks and other technology. The fair value of identifiable intangible assets is estimated based upon discounted future cash flow projections and other acceptable valuation methods. Other intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated economic lives. The weighted-average useful life of other intangible assets was 13 years as of December 31, 2009 and December 31, 2008.

 

37



 

The weighted-average useful life by type of asset at December 31, 2009 is as follows:

 

NUMBER OF YEARS

 

 

 

Customer relationships

 

12

 

Intellectual property

 

12

 

Trademarks

 

19

 

Other

 

6

 

 

The straight-line method of amortization reflects an appropriate allocation of the cost of the intangible assets to earnings in proportion to the amount of economic benefits obtained by the company in each reporting period. The company evaluates the remaining useful life of its intangible assets that are being amortized each reporting period to determine whether events and circumstances warrant a revision to the remaining period of amortization. If the estimate of an intangible asset’s remaining useful life is changed, the remaining carrying amount of the intangible asset will be amortized prospectively over that revised remaining useful life. Total amortization expense related to other intangible assets during the last three years and future estimated amortization is as follows:

 

MILLIONS

2007

 

$30

 

2008

 

48

 

2009

 

42

 

2010

 

43

 

2011

 

42

 

2012

 

41

 

2013

 

38

 

2014

 

28

 

 

The company tests goodwill for impairment on an annual basis during the second quarter for all reporting units. The company’s reporting units are its operating segments. If circumstances change significantly, the company would also test a reporting unit for impairment during interim periods between the annual tests. An impairment charge is recognized for the amount, if any, by which the carrying amount of goodwill exceeds its implied fair value. Fair values of reporting units are established using a discounted cash flow method. Where available and as appropriate, comparative market multiples are used to corroborate the results of the discounted cash flow method. Based on the company’s testing, there has been no impairment of goodwill during the three years ended December 31, 2009.

 

Long-Lived Assets

The company periodically reviews its long-lived assets for impairment and assesses whether significant events or changes in business circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets may not be recoverable. An impairment loss may be recognized when the carrying amount of an asset exceeds the anticipated future undiscounted cash flows expected to result from the use of the asset and its eventual disposition. The amount of the impairment loss to be recorded, if any, is calculated by the excess of the asset’s carrying value over its fair value.

 

Revenue Recognition

The company recognizes revenue as services are performed or on product sales at the time title to the product and risk of loss transfers to the customer. The company’s sales policies do not provide for general rights of return. Trade accounts receivable are recorded at the invoiced amount and generally do not bear interest. The company records estimated reductions to revenue for customer programs and incentive offerings, including pricing arrangements, promotions and other volume-based incentives at the time the sale is recorded. The company also records estimated reserves for anticipated uncollectible accounts and for product returns and credits at the time of sale.

 

Income Per Common Share

The computations of the basic and diluted net income per share amounts were as follows:

 

MILLIONS
EXCEPT PER SHARE

 

2009

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to Ecolab

 

$

417.3

 

 

$

448.1

 

$

427.2

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

236.7

 

 

245.4

 

246.8

 

Effect of dilutive stock options, units and awards

 

3.2

 

 

3.9

 

5.0

 

Diluted

 

239.9

 

 

249.3

 

251.8

 

Net income attributable to Ecolab per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

$

1.76

 

 

$

1.83

 

$

1.73

 

Diluted

 

$

1.74

 

 

$

1.80

 

$

1.70

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Anti-dilutive stock options and performance-based restricted units excluded from the computation of diluted shares

 

11.3

 

 

5.5

 

5.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unvested restricted stock awards excluded from the computation of basic shares

 

0.1

 

 

0.1

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Share-Based Compensation

The company measures compensation expense for share-based awards at fair value at the date of grant and recognizes compensation expense over the service period for awards expected to vest. Grants to retirement eligible recipients are attributed to expense using the non-substantive vesting method and are fully expensed by the time recipients attain age 55 with at least 3 years of service. In addition, the company includes a forfeiture estimate in the amount of compensation expense being recognized based on an estimate of the number of outstanding awards expected to vest.

 

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income includes net income, foreign currency translation adjustments, unrecognized gains and losses on securities, unrecognized actuarial gains and losses on pension and postretirement liabilities, gains and losses on derivative instruments designated and effective as cash flow hedges and nonderivative instruments designated and effective as foreign currency net investment hedges that are charged or credited to the accumulated other comprehensive loss account in shareholders’ equity.

 

38



 

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities

The company uses foreign currency forward contracts, interest rate swaps and foreign currency debt to manage risks generally associated with foreign exchange rates, interest rates and net investments in foreign operations. The company does not hold derivative financial instruments of a speculative nature.

 

All of the company’s derivatives are recognized on the balance sheet at their fair value. The earnings impact resulting from the change in fair value of the derivative instruments is recorded in the same line item in the consolidated statement of income as the underlying exposure being hedged. See Note 8 for additional information on the company’s hedging activities.

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

In September 2006, the FASB issued new accounting guidance on fair value measurements. This guidance defines fair value and establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expanded disclosures about fair value measurement. In February 2008, the FASB deferred the effective date of this guidance for one year for nonfinancial assets and liabilities that are recognized or disclosed at fair value in the financial statements on a nonrecurring basis and amended to add a scope exception for leasing transactions. The company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2008 for financial assets and liabilities measured on a recurring basis and effective January 1, 2009 for non-financial assets and liabilities. The adoption did not have an impact on the company’s consolidated results of operations and financial position.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued new guidance on business combinations. The revised guidance establishes principles and requirements for how an acquirer recognizes and measures in its financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree and the goodwill acquired. The guidance also establishes disclosure requirements to enable the evaluation of the nature and financial effects of the business combination. The company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2009. The adoption did not have a material impact on the company’s consolidated results of operations and financial position.

 

In December 2007, the FASB issued new guidance on noncontrolling interests which establishes accounting and reporting standards for ownership interests in subsidiaries held by parties other than the parent, the amount of consolidated net income attributable to the parent and to the noncontrolling interest, changes in a parent’s ownership interest, and the valuation of retained noncontrolling equity investments when a subsidiary is deconsolidated. This guidance also establishes disclosure requirements that clearly identify and distinguish between the interests of the parent and the interests of the noncontrolling owners. The company adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2009, and revised its prior year financial statements in accordance with the guidance. The revision includes a reclassification of $0.3 million and $1.7 million from selling, general and administrative expenses to net income attributable to noncontrolling interest on the Consolidated Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and a reclassification of $7.4 million from other liabilities to noncontrolling interest on the Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2008. The adoption did not have a material impact on the company’s consolidated results of operations and financial position.

 

In March 2008, the FASB issued new guidance on disclosures about derivative instruments and hedging activities. This guidance requires companies to provide greater transparency through disclosures about how and why the company uses derivative instruments. This includes how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for, the level of derivative activity entered into by the company and how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect the company’s financial position, results of operations, and cash flows. The company adopted this guidance in the first quarter of 2009 and has included the required disclosures in Note 8.

 

In December 2008, the FASB issued a staff position providing guidance on employer’s disclosures about plan assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan, which requires more detailed disclosures regarding employers’ plan assets, including their investment strategies, major categories of plan assets, concentration of risk, and valuation methods used to measure the fair value of plan assets. The guidance is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2009. The company adopted this guidance in the fourth quarter of 2009 and has included the required disclosures in Note 15.

 

In May 2009, the FASB issued new guidance on subsequent events. This guidance establishes a formal standard of accounting for and disclosures of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued. This guidance includes a new requirement to disclose the date events were evaluated and the basis for that date. The company adopted this guidance in the second quarter of 2009. The company has evaluated subsequent events required to be recognized or disclosed as of February 26, 2010, the date these financial statements were issued.

 

In June 2009, the FASB issued new guidance on accounting for transfers of financial assets. The guidance eliminates the concept of a qualified special purpose entity (“QSPE”). This guidance also establishes criteria for qualifying for sale accounting when only a portion of the financial asset is transferred. This guidance is effective for the fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2009. The company does not have any QSPEs (as defined under previous standards). The adoption is not expected to have a material impact on the company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

In June 2009, the FASB issued guidance which amends the consolidation criteria for variable interest entities (“VIE”). This guidance changes the model for determining who consolidates the VIE and addresses how often this analysis is performed. The guidance is effective for fiscal years and interim periods beginning after November 15, 2009 and is not expected to have a material impact on the company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

39



 

In September 2009 the FASB issued ASU No. 2009-12, Investments in Certain Entities That Calculate Net Asset Values per Share (or Its Equivalent), that amends ASC 820 and provides additional guidance on measuring the fair value of certain alternative investments. The company adopted this guidance in the fourth quarter of 2009. The adoption did not have a material impact on the company’s consolidated results of operations and financial position.

 

No other new accounting pronouncement issued or effective has had or is expected to have a material impact on the company’s consolidated financial statements.

 

3. SPECIAL GAINS AND CHARGES

 

Special gains and charges reported on the Consolidated Statement of Income included the following items:

 

MILLIONS

 

2009

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restructuring charges

 

$

12.6

 

 

$

-

 

$

-

 

Special gains and charges

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restructuring charges

 

59.9

 

 

-

 

-

 

Business structure and optimization

 

2.8

 

 

25.6

 

2.0

 

Legal settlement

 

-

 

 

-

 

27.4

 

Business write-downs and closures

 

2.4

 

 

19.1

 

-

 

Gain on sale of plant

 

-

 

 

(24.0

)

-

 

Gain on sale of businesses

 

-

 

 

(1.7

)

(11.0

)

Other items

 

2.0

 

 

6.9

 

1.3

 

Subtotal

 

67.1

 

 

25.9

 

19.7

 

Total

 

$

79.7

 

 

$

25.9

 

$

19.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In the first quarter of 2009, the company commenced restructuring and other cost-saving actions during 2009 in order to streamline operations and improve efficiency and effectiveness. The restructuring plan included a reduction of the company’s global workforce by 950 positions or 4% and the reduction of plant and distribution center locations during 2009. As a result of these actions, the company recorded restructuring charges of $72.5 million ($52.0 million after tax) during 2009. The restructuring plan was finalized and all actions, except for certain cash payments, were completed during 2009.

 

The restructuring charges and subsequent reductions to the related liability accounts include the following:

 

 

 

Employee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Termination

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MILLIONS

 

Costs

 

Disposals

 

Other

 

Total 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recorded expense and accrual

 

$

65.3

 

 

$

3.2

 

 

$

4.0

 

 

$

72.5

 

 

Cash payments

 

(48.9

)

 

 

 

 

(1.2

)

 

(50.1

)

 

Non-cash charges

 

 

 

 

(3.2

)

 

(1.4

)

 

(4.6

)

 

Effect of foreign currency translation

 

2.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.2

 

 

Restructuring liability, December 31, 2009

 

$

18.6

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1.4

 

 

$

20.0

 

 

 

Restructuring charges on the Consolidated Statement of Income have been included both as a component of cost of sales and as a component of special gains and charges. Amounts included as a component of cost of sales include asset write-downs and manufacturing related severance. Restructuring liabilities have been classified as a component of other current liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. The majority of the remaining accrued amount is expected to be paid in the next twelve months.

 

Employee termination costs include personnel reductions and related costs for severance, benefits and outplacement services. Asset disposals include inventory and intangible asset write-downs related to the discontinuance of product lines which are not consistent with the company’s long-term strategies. Other charges include one-time curtailment and settlement charges related to the company’s International pension plans and U.S. postretirement health care benefits plan, and lease terminations.

 

Special gains and charges in 2008 include a charge of $19.1 million recorded in the fourth quarter, for the write-down of investments in an energy management business and the closure of two small non-strategic healthcare businesses, as well as costs to optimize the company’s business structure, including costs related to establishing the new European headquarters in Zurich, Switzerland. These charges were partially offset by a gain of $24.0 million from the sale of a plant in Denmark recorded in the second quarter and a $1.7 million gain related to the sale of a business in the U.K. recorded in the first quarter.

 

Special gains and charges in 2007 include a $27.4 million charge for an arbitration settlement related to two California class action lawsuits involving wage/hour claims affecting former and current Pest Elimination employees recorded in the third quarter of 2007. Special gains and charges also include costs related to establishing the company’s European headquarters and other non-recurring charges. These charges were partially offset by a $6.3 million gain on the sale of a minority investment located in the U.S. and a $4.7 million gain on the sale of a business in the U.K. which were recorded in the fourth quarter of 2007.

 

For segment reporting purposes, these items have been included in the company’s corporate segment, which is consistent with the company’s internal management reporting.

 

4. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Henkel AG & Co. KGaA (“Henkel”) beneficially owned 72.7 million Ecolab common shares, or approximately 29.4%, of the company’s outstanding common shares on December 31, 2007. In February 2008, Henkel announced its intention to sell some or all of the Ecolab shares held by Henkel. In November 2008, Henkel completed the sale of all 72.7 million shares held. As part of the sale transaction, the company repurchased 11.3 million shares directly from Henkel for $300 million.

 

The company and its affiliates sold products and services in the aggregate amounts of $8 million and $5 million in 2008 and 2007, respectively to Henkel or its affiliates. The company purchased products and services in the amounts of $73 million and $65 million in 2008 and 2007, respectively, from Henkel or its affiliates. The transactions with Henkel and its affiliates were made in the ordinary course of business and were negotiated at arm’s length.

 

40


 

 


 

5. BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS

Business Acquisitions

 

Significant business acquisitions made by the company during 2009, 2008 and 2007 were as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ESTIMATED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ANNUAL SALES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PRE-ACQUISITION

 

BUSINESS/ASSETS

 

DATE OF

 

 

 

(MILLIONS)

 

ACQUIRED

 

ACQUISITION

 

SEGMENT

 

(UNAUDITED)

 

  2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  ISS

 

October

 

International
(EMEA)

 

$    6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Stackhouse

 

February

 

U.S. C&S

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Healthcare)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Ecovation, Inc.

 

February

 

U.S. C&S

 

50

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Food & Beverage)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Novartis-Ireland dairy hygiene business

 

January

 

International
(EMEA)

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Microtek Medical Holdings, Inc.

 

November

 

U.S. C&S
International
(Healthcare)

 

150

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Eagle Environmental Systems

 

June

 

International
(Asia Pacific)

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Fuma Pest

 

May

 

International

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Asia Pacific)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Green Harbour

 

March

 

International

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Asia Pacific)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Apprise

 

February

 

U.S. C&S

 

1

 

 

  Technologies, Inc.

 

 

 

(Institutional)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  Wotek

 

January

 

International

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

(EMEA)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In February 2009, the company acquired assets of the Stackhouse business of CORPAK Medsystems, Inc. Stackhouse is a leading developer, manufacturer and marketer of surgical helmets and smoke evacuators, primarily for use during orthopedic surgeries.

 

In October 2009, the company acquired the ISS pest elimination business in the U.K. The business was integrated with the company’s existing U.K. pest elimination business.

 

In February 2008, the company acquired Ecovation, Inc., a Rochester, N.Y. area-based provider of renewable energy solutions and effluent management systems primarily for the food and beverage manufacturing industry in the U.S., including dairy, beverage, and meat and poultry producers. The total purchase price was $210 million, of which $21 million remains payable and was placed in escrow for indemnification purposes.

 

In November 2007, the company acquired Microtek Medical Holdings, Inc., a manufacturer and marketer of infection control products for healthcare and acute care facilities. Microtek’s specialized product lines include infection barrier equipment drapes, patient drapes, fluid control products and operating room cleanup systems. The total purchase price was $277 million, net of cash acquired.

 

The business acquisitions have been accounted for as purchases and, accordingly, the results of their operations have been included in the financial statements of the company from the dates of acquisition. Acquisitions in 2009, 2008 and 2007 were not material to the company’s consolidated financial statements; therefore pro forma financial information is not presented. The aggregate purchase price of acquisitions and investments in affiliates has been reduced for any cash or cash equivalents acquired with the acquisitions.

 

Based upon purchase price allocations, the components of the aggregate purchase prices of the acquisitions and investment in affiliates made were as follows:

 

MILLIONS

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

 Net tangible assets acquired (liabilities assumed)

 

$

(1

)

$

36

 

$

61

 

 Identifiable intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer relationships

 

3

 

11

 

55

 

Intellectual property

 

1

 

26

 

5

 

Trademarks

 

1

 

16

 

27

 

Other intangibles

 

5

 

10

 

31

 

Total

 

10

 

63

 

118

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Goodwill

 

5

 

126

 

150

 

 Total aggregate purchase price

 

14

 

225

 

329

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Liability for indemnification

 

-

 

(21

)

-

 

 Net cash paid for acquistions

 

$

14

 

$

204

 

$

329

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for each of the company’s reportable segments are as follows:

 

 

MILLIONS

 

U.S.
CLEANING &
SANITIZING

 

U.S.
OTHER SERVICES

 

TOTAL
U.S.

 

INTERNATIONAL

 

CONSOLIDATED

 

 

December 31,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

$  321.3

 

$  50.5

 

$  371.8

 

$  914.0

 

$  1,285.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated impairment losses 1  

 

( 2.6

)

-

 

(2.6

)

(4.0

)

(6.6

)

 

 

 

 

318.7

 

50.5

 

369.2

 

910.0

 

1,279.2

 

 

 

Goodwill acquired 2

 

124.9

 

 

 

124.9

 

1.5

 

126.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill allocated to business dispositions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.4

)

(0.4

)

 

 

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(137.5

)

(137.5

)

 

 

December 31, 2008

 

443.6

 

50.5

 

494.1

 

773.6

 

1,267.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill acquired 2

 

3.2

 

 

 

3.2

 

2.0

 

5.2

 

 

 

Goodwill allocated to business dispositions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.2

)

(0.2

)

 

 

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

141.4

 

141.4

 

 

 

December 31, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill

 

449.4

 

50.5

 

499.9

 

920.8

 

1,420.7

 

 

 

Accumulated impairment losses 1  

 

( 2.6

)

-

 

(2.6

)

(4.0

)

(6.6

)

 

 

 

 

$  446.8

 

$  50.5

 

$  497.3

 

$  916.8

 

$  1,414.1

 

 

 

1

Since adoption of FASB guidance for goodwill and other intangibles on January 1, 2002.

2

For 2009 and 2008, goodwill acquired is not expected to be tax deductible.

 

41



 

Business Dispositions

The company had no significant business dispositions in 2009 or 2008.

 

In the fourth quarter of 2007, the company completed the sale of Peter Cox Ltd., a U.K. provider of damp proofing, water proofing, timber preservation and wall stabilization for residential, commercial and public properties. The company acquired Peter Cox Ltd. in connection with the company’s 2002 purchase of the Terminix Pest Control business in the U.K.. Sales of the Peter Cox business were approximately $32 million in 2006 and were included in the company’s International reportable segment. The company recognized tax-free gains on the sale of $4.7 million and $1.7 million in the fourth quarter of 2007 and first quarter of 2008, respectively. The gains were reported in special gains and charges.

 

In December 2007, the company sold a minority investment located in the U.S. and realized a gain of $6.3 million ($4.8 million after tax). The gain was reported in special gains and charges.

 

6. BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION

 

DECEMBER 31 (MILLIONS)

 

  2009

 

  2008

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable

 

$

1,068.5

 

$

1,014.8

 

Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

(52.4

)

(43.8

)

Total

 

$

1,016.1

 

$

971.0

 

Inventories

 

 

 

 

 

Finished goods

 

$

293.4

 

$

263.8

 

Raw materials and parts

 

222.9

 

232.8

 

Inventories at FIFO cost

 

516.3

 

496.6

 

Excess of FIFO cost over LIFO cost

 

(22.9

)

(29.4

)

Total

 

$

493.4

 

$

467.2

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

 

 

 

Land

 

$

28.8

 

$

26.5

 

Buildings and leaseholds

 

350.5

 

330.6

 

Machinery and equipment

 

718.0

 

673.5

 

Merchandising equipment

 

1,424.2

 

1,333.3

 

Capitalized software

 

236.6

 

162.9

 

Construction in progress

 

108.4

 

125.5

 

 

 

2,866.5

 

2,652.3

 

Accumulated depreciation

 

(1,690.3

)

(1,517.1

)

Total

 

$

1,176.2

 

$

1,135.2

 

Other intangible assets, net

 

 

 

 

 

Cost

 

 

 

 

 

Customer relationships

 

$

301.6

 

$

266.9

 

Intellectual property

 

83.9

 

78.3

 

Trademarks

 

115.7

 

111.9

 

Other intangibles

 

59.5

 

54.0

 

 

 

560.7

 

511.1

 

Accumulated amortization

 

 

 

 

 

Customer relationships

 

(163.2

)

(120.3

)

Intellectual property

 

(29.7

)

(22.8

)

Trademarks

 

(39.4

)

(31.1

)

Other intangibles

 

(15.9

)

(10.2

)

Total

 

$

312.5

 

$

326.7

 

Other assets

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

$

139.6

 

$

157.9

 

Pension

 

9.8

 

12.1

 

Other

 

154.5

 

166.2

 

Total

 

$

303.9

 

$

336.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DECEMBER 31 (MILLIONS)

 

  2009

 

  2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Short-term debt

 

 

 

 

 

Notes payable

 

$

90.6

 

$

333.8

 

Long-term debt, current maturities

 

7.9

 

5.1

 

Total

 

$

98.5

 

$

338.9

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Discounts and rebates

 

$

218.5

 

$

211.5

 

Dividends payable

 

36.8

 

33.1

 

Interest payable

 

9.6

 

8.4

 

Taxes payable, other than income

 

57.8

 

44.4

 

Foreign exchange contracts

 

5.7

 

7.6

 

Other

 

138.5

 

131.0

 

Total

 

$

466.9

 

$

436.0

 

Long-term debt

 

 

 

 

 

4.875% senior notes, due 2015

 

$

248.5

 

$

248.2

 

4.355% series A senior notes, due 2013

 

187.6

 

158.6

 

4.585% series B senior notes, due 2016

 

262.6

 

222.1

 

6.875% notes, due 2011

 

149.9

 

149.7

 

Capital lease obligations

 

18.1

 

15.4

 

Other

 

10.0

 

10.4

 

 

 

876.7

 

804.4

 

Long-term debt, current maturities

 

(7.9

)

(5.1

)

Total

 

$

868.8

 

$

799.3

 

Other liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

$

86.7

 

$

74.2

 

Income taxes payable — noncurrent

 

82.7

 

65.4

 

Other

 

119.2

 

116.9

 

Total

 

$

288.6

 

$

256.5

 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments

 

$

(3.7

)

$

8.0

 

Unrecognized pension and postretirement benefit expense

 

(426.1

)

(364.7

)

Cumulative translation

 

196.9

 

(2.4

)

Total

 

$

(232.9

)

$

(359.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The company has a $600 million multicurrency credit agreement with a consortium of banks that has a term through June 1, 2012. The company has the option of borrowing based on various short-term interest rates. No amounts were outstanding under this agreement at year-end 2009 and 2008.

 

The multicurrency credit agreement supports the company’s $600 million U.S. commercial paper program and its $200 million European commercial paper program. Total combined borrowing under both programs may not exceed $600 million. The company had $74 million in outstanding U.S. commercial paper at December 31, 2009, with an average annual interest rate of 0.1%. The company had $316 million in outstanding U.S. commercial paper at December 31, 2008, with an average annual interest rate of 0.9%. The company had no commercial paper outstanding under its European commercial paper program at December 31, 2009 or 2008. Both programs were rated A-1 by Standard & Poor’s and P-1 by Moody’s as of December 31, 2009.

 

In February 2008, the company issued and sold $250 million aggregate principal amount of senior unsecured notes that mature in 2015 at a rate of 4.875%. The proceeds were used to refinance outstanding commercial paper and for general corporate purposes. The notes are not subject to prepayment except where there is a Change of Control as defined in the Supplemental Indenture dated February 8, 2008 and there is a resulting ratings downgrade to below investment grade. Upon consolidation or merger, the company will offer to prepay all of the notes at 101% of the principal outstanding plus accrued interest. In the event of a default by the company under the Supplemental Indenture, the notes may immediately become due and payable

 

42



 

for the unpaid principal amount and accrued interest. The notes are subject to covenants regarding the amount of indebtedness secured by liens and certain sale and leaseback transactions.

 

In December 2006, the company issued and sold in a private placement euro 300 million ($450 million as of December 31, 2009) aggregate principal amount of the company’s senior notes in two series: 4.355% Series A Senior Notes due 2013 in the aggregate principal amount of euro 125 million and 4.585% Series B Senior Notes due 2016 in the aggregate principal amount of euro 175 million, pursuant to a Note Purchase Agreement dated July 26, 2006, between the company and the purchasers. The company used the proceeds to repay its euro 300 million 5.375% euronotes which became due in February 2007.

 

As of December 31, 2009, the aggregate annual maturities of long-term debt for the next five years were:

 

MILLIONS

 2010

 

$       8

 

 2011

 

156

 

 2012

 

4

 

 2013

 

191

 

 2014

 

3

 

 

As of December 31, the weighted-average interest rate on notes payable was 1.8% in 2009, and 1.3% in 2008.

 

7. INTEREST

 

MILLIONS

 

2009

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

$

67.5

 

$

70.8

 

$

58.9

 

Interest income

 

 

(6.3

)

 

(9.2

)

 

(7.9

)

Total interest expense, net

 

$

61.2

 

$

61.6

 

$

51.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND HEDGING TRANSACTIONS

 

The carrying amount and the estimated fair value of other financial instruments held by the company were:

 

DECEMBER 31 (MILLIONS)

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

Carrying

 

Fair

 

Carrying

 

Fair

 

 

 

Amount

 

Value

 

Amount

 

Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

73.6

 

$

73.6

 

$

66.7

 

$

66.7

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

1,016.1

 

1,016.1

 

971.0

 

971.0

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

3.2

 

3.2

 

22.0

 

22.0

 

Liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

5.7

 

5.7

 

7.6

 

7.6

 

Notes payable

 

16.2

 

16.2

 

17.8

 

17.8

 

Commercial paper

 

74.4

 

74.4

 

316.0

 

316.0

 

Long-term debt
(including current
maturities)

 

$

876.7

 

$

908.7

 

$

804.4

 

$

713.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The carrying amounts of cash equivalents, accounts receivable, notes payable and commercial paper approximate fair value because of their short maturities. The carrying amount of foreign exchange contracts is at fair value, which is determined based on foreign currency exchange rates as of the balance sheet date (level 2 - significant other observable inputs). The fair value of long-term debt is based on quoted market prices for the same or similar debt instruments. The company has concluded that it does not have any amounts of financial assets and liabilities measured using the company’s own assumptions of fair market value (level 3 - unobservable inputs).

 

Derivative Instruments and Hedging

 

The company uses foreign currency forward contracts, interest rate swaps and foreign currency debt to manage risks associated with foreign currency exchange rates, interest rates and net investments in foreign operations. The company records all derivatives as assets and liabilities on the balance sheet at fair value. Changes in fair value are recognized immediately in earnings unless the derivative qualifies and is designated as a hedge. The effective portion of changes in fair value of hedges is initially recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) on the Consolidated Balance Sheet. Amounts recorded in AOCI are reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transactions affect earnings. The company evaluates hedge effectiveness at inception and on an ongoing basis. If a derivative is no longer expected to be effective, hedge accounting is discontinued. Hedge ineffectiveness, if any, is recorded in earnings.

 

The company does not hold derivative financial instruments of a speculative nature. The company is exposed to credit loss in the event of nonperformance of counterparties for foreign currency forward exchange contracts and interest rate swap agreements. The company monitors its exposure to credit risk by using credit approvals and credit limits and by selecting major international banks and financial institutions as counterparties. The company does not anticipate nonperformance by any of these counterparties.

 

Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges

 

The company utilizes foreign currency forward contracts to hedge the effect of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations on forecasted foreign currency transactions, including: sales, inventory purchases, and intercompany royalty and management fee payments. These forward contracts are designated as cash flow hedges. The effective portions of the changes in fair value of these contracts are recorded in AOCI until the hedged items affect earnings, at which time the gain or loss is reclassified into the same line item in the Consolidated Statement of Income as the underlying exposure being hedged. All hedged transactions are forecasted to occur within the next twelve months.

 

The company occasionally enters into interest rate swap contracts to manage interest rate exposures. In 2006 the company entered into and subsequently closed two forward starting swap contracts related to the issuance of its senior euro notes. The settlement payment was recorded in AOCI and is recognized in earnings as part of interest expense over the remaining life of the notes as the forecasted interest expense is accrued.

 

43



 

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments

 

The company also uses foreign currency forward contracts to offset its exposure to the change in value of certain foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities, primarily receivables and payables. Although the contracts are effective economic hedges, they are not designated as accounting hedges. Therefore, changes in the value of these derivatives are recognized immediately in earnings, thereby offsetting the current earnings effect of the related foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.

 

The following table summarizes the fair value of the company’s outstanding derivatives as of December 31, 2009:

 

 

 

Asset Derivatives

 

Liability Derivatives

 

 

 

Balance

 

 

 

Balance

 

 

 

 

 

Sheet

 

Fair

 

Sheet

 

Fair

 

MILLIONS

 

Location

 

Value

 

Location

 

Value

 

Derivatives designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

Foreign currency

 

current

 

 

 

current

 

 

 

forward contracts

 

assets

 

$   0.9

 

liabilities

 

$   4.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Derivatives not designated as hedging instruments:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

Foreign currency

 

current

 

 

 

current

 

 

 

forward contracts

 

assets

 

2.3

 

liabilities

 

1.6

 

Total

 

 

 

$   3.2

 

 

 

$   5.7

 

 

The company had foreign currency forward exchange contracts with notional values that totaled approximately $356 million at December 31, 2009, and $486 million at December 31, 2008.

 

For 2009, the impact on AOCI and earnings from derivative contracts that qualified as cash flow hedges was as follows:

 

MILLIONS

 

Location

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gain (loss) recognized into AOCI (effective portion)

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

AOCI (equity)

 

$

(6.9

)

Gain (loss) recognized in income (effective portion)

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

Sales

 

0.8

 

 

 

Cost of sales

 

5.4

 

 

 

SG&A

 

2.8

 

 

 

 

 

9.0

 

Interest rate swap contract

 

Interest expense, net

 

(0.4

)

 

 

 

 

$

8.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain (loss) recognized in income (ineffective portion)

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

Interest expense, net

 

$

(1.3

)

 

For 2009, the impact on earnings from derivative contracts that are not designated as hedging instruments was as follows:

 

MILLIONS

 

Location

 

2009

 

Gain (loss) recognized in income

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts

 

SG&A

 

$

1.6

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

(7.0

)

 

 

 

 

$

(5.4

)

 

The amounts recognized in earnings above offset the earnings impact of the related foreign currency denominated assets and liabilities.

 

Net Investment Hedge

 

The company designates its euro 300 million ($450 million as of December 31, 2009) senior notes and related accrued interest as a hedge of existing foreign currency exposures related to net investments the company has in certain European subsidiaries. Accordingly, the transaction gains and losses on the euronotes which are designated and effective as hedges of the company’s net investments have been included as a component of the cumulative translation adjustment account. Total transaction gains and losses related to the euronotes charged to shareholders’ equity were as follows:

 

MILLIONS

 

   2009

 

   2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Transaction gains (losses), net of tax

 

$    (43.9

)

$    37.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

 

Authorized common stock, par value $1.00 per share, was 400 million shares in 2009, 2008 and 2007. Treasury stock is stated at cost. Dividends declared per share of common stock were $0.575 for 2009, $0.53 for 2008 and $0.475 for 2007.

 

The company has 15 million shares, without par value, of authorized but unissued preferred stock. Of these 15 million shares, 0.4 million shares were designated as Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock and 14.6 million shares were undesignated as of December 31, 2009.

 

Under the company’s shareholder rights plan, one preferred stock purchase right is issued for each outstanding share of the company’s common stock. A right entitles the holder, upon occurrence of certain events, to buy one one-thousandth of a share of Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock at a purchase price of $135, subject to adjustment. The rights, however, do not  become exercisable unless and until, among other things, any person or group acquires 15% or more of the outstanding common stock of the company, or the company’s board of directors declares a holder of 10% or more of the outstanding common stock to be an “adverse person” as defined in the rights  plan. Upon the occurrence of either of these events, the rights will become exercisable for common stock of the company (or in certain cases common stock of an acquiring company) having a market value of twice the exercise price of a right. The rights are redeemable under certain circumstances at one cent per right and, unless redeemed earlier, will expire on March 10, 2016.

 

The company reacquired 1,225,078 shares, 12,111,836 shares and 8,214,400 shares of its common stock in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, through open and private market purchases. The 2008 reaquired shares include 11,346,098 shares purchased from Henkel as discussed in Note 4. The company also reacquired 316,150 shares, 62,505 shares and 349,699 shares of its common stock in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively, related

 

44



 

to the exercise of stock options and the vesting of stock awards. In October 2006, the company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 10 million shares of common stock, including shares to be repurchased under Rule 10b5-1. Shares are repurchased to offset the dilutive effect of stock incentives and options and for general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2009, 2,720,784 shares remained to be purchased under the company’s repurchase authority. In February 2010, subsequent to the end of the company’s fiscal year end, the company’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 10 million additional shares of common stock, including shares to be repurchased under rule 10b5-1. The company intends to repurchase all shares under both authorizations, for which no expiration dates have been established, in open market or privately negotiated transactions, subject to market conditions.

 

10. STOCK INCENTIVE AND OPTION PLANS

 

The company’s stock incentive and option plans provide for grants of stock options, restricted stock unit awards and restricted stock awards. Common shares available for grant as of December 31 were 2,376,663 for 2009, 4,746,982 for 2008 and 9,110,757 for 2007. Common shares available for grant reflect 12 million shares approved by shareholders in 2005 for issuance under the plans.

 

Prior to 2009, almost all awards granted were non-qualified stock options. Options are granted to purchase shares of the company’s stock at the average daily share price on the date of grant. These options generally expire within ten years from the grant date. The company recognizes compensation expense for these awards on a straight-line basis over the three year vesting period. Stock option grants to retirement eligible recipients are attributed to expense using the non-substantive vesting method. Beginning in 2009, the company changed its annual long-term incentive share-based compensation program from 100% stock options to a new program where the value of awards granted is made up of 50% stock options and 50% performance-based restricted stock unit (“PBRSU”) awards.

 

A summary of stock option activity and average exercise prices is as follows:

 

SHARES

 

2009     

 

2008     

 

2007     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

1,969,241

 

3,938,035

 

3,083,536

 

Exercised

 

(2,061,771

)

(1,535,554

)

(4,084,837

)

Canceled

 

(340,391

)

(196,165

)

(163,033

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

22,262,204

 

22,695,125

 

20,488,809

 

Exercisable

 

17,315,445

 

16,314,069

 

15,106,637

 

 

AVERAGE PRICE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PER SHARE

 

2009     

 

2008     

 

2007     

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Granted

 

$ 45.03  

 

$ 36.35

 

$ 48.82

 

Exercised

 

24.95  

 

25.33

 

24.60

 

Canceled

 

41.68  

 

45.24

 

37.37

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Outstanding

 

36.22  

 

34.51

 

33.57

 

Exercisable

 

34.73  

 

32.04

 

29.47

 

 

The total intrinsic value of options (the amount by which the stock price exceeded the exercise price of the option on the date of exercise) that were exercised during 2009, 2008 and 2007 was $35 million, $34 million and $86 million, respectively.

 

Information related to stock options outstanding and stock options exercisable as of December 31, 2009, is as follows:

 

OPTIONS OUTSTANDING

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHTED-

 

WEIGHTED-

RANGE OF

 

 

 

AVERAGE

 

AVERAGE

EXERCISE

 

OPTIONS

 

REMAINING

 

EXERCISE

PRICES

 

OUTSTANDING

 

CONTRACTUAL LIFE

 

PRICE

$    14.78-24.90

 

 

3,000,344

 

 

2.3 years

 

 

$22.39

 

25.21-32.99

 

 

2,826,697

 

 

4.2 years

 

 

28.24

 

33.04-34.08

 

 

2,803,003

 

 

5.9 years

 

 

34.06

 

34.26-35.52

 

 

2,583,483

 

 

4.9 years

 

 

34.51

 

35.63-36.67

 

 

3,508,835

 

 

8.9 years

 

 

35.63

 

37.91-45.24

 

 

3,158,570

 

 

7.3 years

 

 

44.61

 

45.52-51.52

 

 

 

4,381,272

 

 

8.7 years

 

 

48.03

 

 

 

 

 

22,262,204

 

 

6.3 years

 

 

36.22

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPTIONS EXERCISABLE

 

 

 

 

 

WEIGHTED-

 

WEIGHTED-

RANGE OF

 

 

 

AVERAGE

 

AVERAGE

EXERCISE

 

OPTIONS

 

REMAINING

 

EXERCISE

PRICES

 

EXERCISABLE

 

CONTRACTUAL LIFE

 

PRICE

$ 14.78-24.90

 

 

3,000,344

 

 

2.3 years

 

 

$22.39

 

25.21-32.99

 

 

2,807,897

 

 

4.2 years

 

 

28.20

 

33.04-34.08

 

 

2,803,003

 

 

5.9 years

 

 

34.06

 

34.26-35.52

 

 

2,583,483

 

 

4.9 years

 

 

34.51

 

35.63-36.67

 

 

1,196,462

 

 

8.9 years

 

 

35.64

 

37.91-45.24

 

 

2,938,833

 

 

7.2 years

 

 

44.69

 

45.52-51.52

 

 

 

1,985,423

 

 

8.0 years

 

 

49.23

 

 

 

 

 

17,315,445

 

 

5.5 years

 

 

34.73

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The total aggregate intrinsic value of in-the-money options outstanding as of December 31, 2009 was $207 million. The total aggregate intrinsic value of in-the-money options exercisable as of December 31, 2009 was $185 million.

 

The lattice (binomial) option-pricing model is used to estimate the fair value of options at grant date. The company’s primary employee option grant occurs during the fourth quarter. The weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted and the significant assumptions used in determining the underlying fair value of each option grant, on the date of grant were as follows:

 

 

 

2009

 

 

2008

 

2007

Weighted-average grant-date fair value of options granted at market prices

 

$ 9.59

 

 

$7.75

 

$ 12.63

Assumptions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Risk-free rate of return

 

2.2%

 

 

1.9%

 

3.6%

Expected life

 

5 years

 

 

6 years

 

6 years

Expected volatility

 

23.3%

 

 

23.5%

 

24.2%

Expected dividend yield

 

1.4%

 

 

1.5%

 

1.0%

 

The risk-free rate of return is determined based on a yield curve of U.S. treasury rates from one month to ten years and a period commensurate with the expected life of the options granted. Expected volatility is established based on historical volatility of the company’s stock price. The expected

 

45



 

dividend yield is determined based on the company’s annual dividend amount as a percentage of the average stock price at the time of the grant. The decrease in option fair value in 2009 and 2008 compared to prior years is primarily due to a lower risk-free rate of return, and, with respect to the 2008 option fair value, a lower average share price in 2008.

 

The expense associated with PBRSU awards is based on the average of the high and low share price of the company’s common stock on the date of grant, adjusted for the absence of future dividends. The awards vest based on the company achieving a defined performance target and with continued service for a three year period. Upon vesting, the company will issue shares of its common stock such that one award unit equals one share of common stock. The company assesses the probability of achieving the performance target and recognizes expense over the three year vesting period when it is probable the performance target will be met. PBRSU awards granted to retirement eligible recipients are attributed to expense using the non-substantive vesting method. The awards are generally subject to forfeiture in the event of termination of employment. The company granted 435,240 units in December 2009.

 

The expense associated with shares of non-performance based restricted stock issued under the company’s stock incentive plans is based on the average of the high and low share price of the company’s common stock on the date of grant, adjusted for the absence of future dividends and is amortized on a straight-line basis over the periods during which the restrictions lapse. The company currently has restricted stock outstanding that vests over periods between 12 and 36 months. Restricted stock awards are generally subject to forfeiture in the event of termination of employment. The company granted 32,829 shares in 2009, 49,724 shares in 2008 and 46,510 shares in 2007 under its restricted stock award program.

 

A summary of non-vested stock option, PBRSU awards and restricted stock award activity is as follows:

 

NON-VESTED AWARDS

 

 

 

STOCK
OPTIONS

 

WEIGHTED-
AVERAGE
FAIR VALUE
AT GRANT
DATE

 

PBRSU
AWARDS

 

WEIGHTED-
AVERAGE
FAIR VALUE
AT GRANT
DATE

 

RE-
STRICTED STOCK AWARDS

 

WEIGHTED-
AVERAGE
FAIR VALUE
AT GRANT
DATE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

December 31, 2008

 

6,381,056

 

$  9.84

 

-

 

-

 

88,250 

 

$  43.95

 

Granted

 

1,969,241

 

9.59

 

435,240

 

$  43.63

 

32,829 

 

42.62

 

Vested/Earned

 

( 3,149,582)

 

10.17

 

-

 

-

 

(22,284) 

 

45.10

 

Cancelled

 

(253,956)

 

9.65

 

(600

)

43.63

 

(5,487) 

 

46.75

 

December 31, 2009

 

4,946,759

 

$  9.54

 

434,640

 

$  43.63

 

93,308 

 

$  43.05

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total compensation expense related to share-based compensation plans was $37 million, ($24 million net of tax benefit), $34 million, ($22 million net of tax benefit) and $38 million, ($24 million net of tax benefit) for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

As of December 31, 2009, there was $51 million of total measured but unrecognized compensation expense related to non-vested share-based compensation arrangements granted under all of the company’s plans. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.9 years.

 

The company generally issues authorized but previously unissued shares to satisfy stock option exercises. The company has a share repurchase program and generally repurchases shares on the open market to help offset the dilutive effect of stock options.

 

11. INCOME TAXES

 

Income before income taxes consisted of:

 

MILLIONS

 

2009 

 

 

    2008

 

  2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Domestic

 

$    452.7

 

 

402.8

 

344.2

 

Foreign

 

167.4

 

 

248.4

 

273.8

 

Total

 

$  620.1

 

 

651.2

 

618.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The provision for income taxes consisted of:

 

 

MILLIONS

 

2009 

 

 

  2008 

 

   2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal and state

 

$   56.3

 

 

$   59.1

 

$   129.3

 

Foreign

 

57.0

 

 

63.1

 

57.3

 

Total currently payable

 

113.3

 

 

122.2

 

186.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Federal and state

 

93.2

 

 

79.1

 

(2.6

)

Foreign

 

(5.1

)

 

1.5

 

5.1

 

Total deferred

 

88.1

 

 

80.6

 

2.5

 

Provision for income taxes

 

$  201.4

 

 

$  202.8

 

$  189.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of December 31, 2009, the company has federal net operating loss carryforwards of approximately $6 million which will be available to offset future taxable income. These carryforwards are expected to be used by 2018. The company also has various state net operating loss carryforwards that expire from 2010 to 2028. The company has recorded a valuation allowance on the entire amount of the state net operating loss carryforwards because it is more likely than not that they will not be utilized. As of December 31, 2009, the company has an unrealized capital loss of $15 million related to an investment impairment. The company has recorded a valuation allowance on the unrealized capital loss because it is more likely than not that it will not be realized.

 

The company’s overall net deferred tax assets and deferred tax liabilities were comprised of the following:

 

DECEMBER 31 (MILLIONS)

 2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred tax assets

 

 

 

 

Other accrued liabilities

$   62.4   

 

 

$   71.5

 

Loss carryforwards

20.1  

 

 

18.2

 

Share-based compensation

65.2  

 

 

58.0

 

Pension and other comprehensive income

196.7  

 

 

231.8

 

Other, net

45.6  

 

 

37.8

 

Valuation allowance

(14.9) 

 

 

(11.4

)

Total

375.1  

 

 

405.9

 

Deferred tax liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment basis differences

91.6  

 

 

80.9

 

Intangible assets

148.9  

 

 

135.8

 

Other, net

4.3  

 

 

17.0

 

Total

244.8  

 

 

233.7

 

Net deferred tax assets

$ 130.3  

 

 

$ 172.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

46



 

A reconciliation of the statutory U.S. federal income tax rate to the company’s effective income tax rate is as follows:

 

 

 

     2009

 

   2008

 

      2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Statutory U.S. rate

 

35.0

%

 

35.0

%

 

35.0

%

State income taxes, net of federal benefit

 

2.4

 

 

2.3

 

 

2.1

 

Foreign operations

 

(2.7

)

 

(4.1

)

 

(3.2

)

Domestic manufacturing deduction

 

(1.1

)

 

(1.5

)

 

(1.2

)

Non-taxable sale of plant and business

 

 

 

 

(1.5

)

 

 

 

U.S.-German tax treaty ratification

 

 

 

 

(0.8

)

 

 

 

Valuation allowance on investment impairment

 

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

 

Germany and United Kingdom tax rate changes

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.4

)

Audit settlements/refunds

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.6

)

Other, net

 

(1.1

)

 

0.8

 

 

0.9

 

Effective income tax rate

 

32.5

%

 

31.1

%

 

30.6

%

 

As of December 31, 2009, the company had undistributed earnings of international affiliates of approximately $812 million. These earnings are considered to be reinvested indefinitely or available for distribution with foreign tax credits available to offset the amount of applicable income tax and foreign withholding taxes that might be payable on earnings. It is impractical to determine the amount of incremental taxes that might arise if all undistributed earnings were distributed.

 

The company files income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction and various U.S. state and international jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the company is no longer subject to state and foreign income tax examinations by tax authorities for years before 2003. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has completed examinations of the company’s U.S. federal income tax returns through 2006. The U.S. income tax returns for the years 2007 and 2008 are currently under audit and the anticipated settlement is early 2011. It is reasonably possible for specific open positions within the 1999 through 2004 examinations, which are still open with the IRS, to be settled in the next twelve months. In addition, it is reasonably possible that the company will settle an income tax audit for Germany covering the years 2003 through 2006 in the next twelve months. The company believes these settlements could result in a decrease in the company’s gross liability for unrecognized tax benefits of up to $64 million during the next twelve months. Decreases in the company’s gross liability could result in offsets to other balance sheet accounts, cash payments, and/or adjustments to tax expense. The occurrence of these events and/or other events not included above within the next twelve months could change depending on a variety of factors and result in amounts different from above.

 

During 2009, the company recognized a discrete tax charge of $4.5 million related to optimizing its business structure.

 

During 2008, the company recognized a discrete $5.2 million reduction in income tax expense resulting from a new tax treaty between the U.S. and Germany that went into effect after ratification by the U.S. Senate. As a result of the treaty ratification, the company has greater assurance of favorable resolution on potential disputes between these two countries.

 

During 2007, specific tax positions relating to the company’s U.S. income tax returns for 2002 through 2004 were settled and a partial settlement payment was made to the IRS. The company also received final audit settlement for tax years 1999 through 2002 in Germany.

 

A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of gross unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 is as follows:

 

MILLIONS

 

 

2009 

 

2008    

 

2007

Balance at beginning of year

 

$  110.6

 

 

$    98.6

 

 

$   98.3

 

Additions based on tax positions related to the current year

 

16.0

 

 

10.9

 

 

14.9

 

Additions for tax positions of prior years

 

6.0

 

 

9.9

 

 

7.5

 

Reductions for tax positions of prior years

 

(5.2

)

 

(4.7

)

 

(11.9

)

Reductions for tax positions due to statute of limitations

 

(8.7

)

 

(0.9

)

 

(1.2

)

Settlements

 

(5.4

)

 

(0.3

)

 

(11.4

)

Foreign currency translation

 

3.4

 

 

(2.9

)

 

2.4

 

Balance at end of year

 

$  116.7

 

 

$  110.6

 

 

$   98.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Included in the unrecognized tax benefits balance at December 31, 2009, 2008 and 2007 are $63 million, $54 million and $53 million, respectively, of tax positions that would affect the annual effective tax rate if such benefits were recognized.

 

The company recognizes both penalties and interest accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in the company’s provision for income taxes. During the year ended December 31, 2009 the company accrued approximately $2 million in interest. The company had approximately $12 million and $10 million for the payment of interest and penalties accrued at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively.

 

12. RENTALS AND LEASES

 

The company leases sales and administrative office facilities, distribution center facilities, vehicles and other equipment under operating leases. Rental expense under all operating leases was approximately $121 million in 2009, $124 million in 2008 and $115 million in 2007. As of December 31, 2008, future minimum payments under operating leases with noncancelable terms in excess of one year were:

 

MILLIONS

 

 

 2010

$    61

 

 

 2011

48

 

 

 2012

33

 

 

 2013

20

 

 

 2014

16

 

 

 Thereafter

25

 

 

 Total

$  203

 

 

 

 

 

 

The company enters into operating leases for vehicles whose noncancelable terms are one year or less in duration with month-to-month renewal options. These leases have been excluded from the table above. The company estimates payments under such leases will approximate $48 million in 2010. These vehicle leases have guaranteed residual values that have historically been satisfied primarily by the proceeds on the sale of the vehicles. At the end of 2008, $0.5 million of estimated losses were recorded for these guarantees as the company believes, based upon the results of previous leasing arrangements, that the potential recovery of value from the vehicles when sold will be less than the residual value guarantee. There was no reserve for estimated losses at the end of 2009.

 

47



 

13. RESEARCH EXPENDITURES

 

Research expenditures that related to the development of new products and processes, including significant improvements and refinements to existing products are expensed as incurred. Such costs were $86 million in 2009 and 2008 and $83 million in 2007.

 

14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

The company is self-insured in North America for most workers compensation, general liability and automotive liability losses subject to per occurrence and aggregate annual liability limitations. The company is insured for losses in excess of these limitations. The company has recorded both a liability and an offsetting receivable for amounts in excess of these limitations. The company is self-insured for health care claims for eligible participating employees subject to certain deductibles and limitations. The company determines its liability for claims incurred but not reported on an actuarial basis. Outside of North America, the company is fully insured for losses, subject to annual deductibles.

 

The company and certain subsidiaries are party to various lawsuits, claims and environmental actions that have arisen in the ordinary course of business. These include antitrust, patent infringement, product liability and wage hour lawsuits, as well as possible obligations to investigate and mitigate the effects on the environment of the disposal or release of certain chemical substances at various sites, such as Superfund sites and other operating or closed facilities. Because litigation is inherently uncertain, and unfavorable rulings or developments could occur, there can be no certainty that the company may not ultimately incur charges in excess of presently recorded liabilities. A future adverse ruling, settlement or unfavorable development could result in future charges that could have a material adverse effect on the company’s results of operations or cash flows in the period in which they are recorded. The company currently believes that such future charge, if any, would not have a material adverse effect on the company’s consolidated financial position.

 

The company records liabilities where a contingent loss is probable and can be reasonably estimated. If the reasonable estimate of a probable loss is a range, the company records the most probable estimate of the loss or the minimum amount when no amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount. The company discloses a contingent liability even if the liability is not probable or the amount is not estimable, or both, if there is a reasonable possibility that a material loss may have been incurred.

 

As previously disclosed, an arbitration decision in conjunction with a settlement was rendered on September 24, 2007 concerning two California class action lawsuits involving wage hour claims affecting former and current employees of the company’s Pest Elimination Division. On August 19, 2009, a panel of the Court of Appeals of the State of California, Second Appellate District, denied the company’s appeal of the lower court’s confirmation of the arbitration decision relating to the settlement. The company determined not to seek further appeal. Accordingly, on October 13, 2009, the company paid the full judgment and settlement amount of $34.6 million, which included post-award interest and employer’s taxes, to the settlement administrator in final satisfaction of the two suits. The company had previously accrued for this payment.

 

The company is a defendant in three wage hour lawsuits in the Southern District of New York, one of which has been certified for class-action status. The company has entered into a settlement agreement covering these suits which has been preliminarily approved by the court and is subject to final approval. The company has fully accrued for the settlement amount, which is not material to the company’s consolidated results of operations or financial position.

 

The company is also currently participating in environmental assessments and remediation at a number of locations and environmental liabilities have been accrued reflecting management’s best estimate of future costs. The company’s reserve for environmental remediation costs was approximately $4 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008. Potential insurance reimbursements are not anticipated in the company’s accruals for environmental liabilities.

 

15. RETIREMENT PLANS

 

Pension and Postretirement Health Care Benefits Plans

The company has a non-contributory qualified defined benefit pension plan covering most of its U.S. employees. Effective January 1, 2003, the U.S. pension plan was amended to provide a cash balance type pension benefit to employees hired on or after the effective date. For employees hired prior to January 1, 2003, plan benefits are based on years of service and highest average compensation for five consecutive years of employment. For employees hired after December 31, 2002, plan benefits are based on contribution credits equal to a fixed percentage of their current salary and interest credits. The company also has U.S. non-contributory non-qualified defined benefit plans, which provide for benefits to employees in excess of limits permitted under its U.S. pension plan. The non-qualified plans are not funded and the recorded benefit obligation for the non-qualified plans was $74 million and $70 million at December 31, 2009 and 2008, respectively. The measurement date used for determining the U.S. pension plan assets and obligations is December 31. Various international subsidiaries also have defined benefit pension plans. The measurement date used for determining the international pension plan assets and obligations is November 30, the fiscal year-end of the company’s international affiliates.

 

The company provides postretirement health care benefits to certain U.S. employees. The plan is contributory based on years of service and family status, with retiree contributions adjusted annually. The measurement date used to determine the U.S. postretirement healthcare plan assets and obligations is December 31. Certain employees outside the U.S. are covered under government-sponsored programs, which are not required to be fully funded. The expense and obligation for providing international postretirement healthcare benefits is not significant.

 

48



 

The following table sets forth information related to the company’s plans:

 

 

 

 

   U.S.

 

 

   INTERNATIONAL

 

 

  U.S. POSTRETIREMENT

 

 

 

   PENSION (a)

 

 

   PENSION

 

 

  HEALTH CARE

 

MILLIONS

 

2009

 

 

2008

 

 

2009

 

 

2008

 

 

2009

 

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated Benefit Obligation, end of year

 

$

905.8

 

 

$

782.0

 

 

$

524.8

 

 

$

347.0

 

 

$

154.6

 

 

$

157.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Projected Benefit Obligation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year

 

$

963.1

 

 

$

882.7

 

 

$

373.1

 

 

$

506.0

 

 

$

157.0

 

 

$

164.9

 

Service cost

 

47.2

 

 

44.7

 

 

14.9

 

 

20.7

 

 

2.0

 

 

2.3

 

Interest

 

59.0

 

 

51.8

 

 

24.6

 

 

26.1

 

 

9.5

 

 

9.6

 

Participant contributions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

2.6

 

 

3.4

 

 

3.0

 

Medicare subsidies received

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

0.2

 

Curtailments and settlements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

 

Plan amendments

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.6

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actuarial loss (gain)

 

54.6

 

 

12.0

 

 

103.0

 

 

(91.3

)

 

(2.7

)

 

(12.6

)

Benefits paid

 

(31.2

)

 

(28.1

)

 

(23.2

)

 

(17.6

)

 

(16.6

)

 

(10.4

)

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

67.0

 

 

(74.4

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Projected benefit obligation, end of year

 

$

1,092.7

 

 

$

963.1

 

 

$

563.4

 

 

$

373.1

 

 

$

154.6

 

 

$

157.0

 

Plan Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets, beginning of year

 

$

572.7

 

 

$

811.8

 

 

$

225.2

 

 

$

311.3

 

 

$

18.2

 

 

$

29.6

 

Actual returns on plan assets

 

127.8

 

 

(289.6

)

 

33.2

 

 

(46.3

)

 

2.4

 

 

(9.4

)

Company contributions

 

229.5

 

 

78.6

 

 

26.8

 

 

26.8

 

 

7.4

 

 

7.0

 

Participant contributions

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

2.6

 

 

1.3

 

 

1.4

 

Settlements

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Benefits paid

 

(31.2

)

 

(28.1

)

 

(23.2

)

 

(17.6

)

 

(16.6

)

 

(10.4

)

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

35.0

 

 

(51.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fair value of plan assets, end of year

 

$

898.8

 

 

$

572.7

 

 

$

299.4

 

 

$

225.2

 

 

$

12.7

 

 

$

18.2

 

Funded Status, end of year

 

$

(193.9

)

 

$

(390.4

)

 

$

(264.0

)

 

$

(147.9

)

 

$

(141.9

)

 

$

(138.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amounts recognized in Consolidated Balance Sheet:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

9.8

 

 

$

12.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other current liabilities

 

$

(6.7

)

 

$

(8.2

)

 

(8.5

)

 

(7.6

)

 

$

(1.8

)

 

$

(1.3

)

Post retirement healthcare and pension benefits

 

(187.2

)

 

(382.2

)

 

(265.3

)

 

(152.4

)

 

(140.1

)

 

(137.5

)

Net liability

 

$

(193.9

)

 

$

(390.4

)

 

$

(264.0

)

 

$

(147.9

)

 

$

(141.9

)

 

$

(138.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amounts recognized in Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Comprehensive Loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrecognized net actuarial loss

 

$

532.8

 

 

$

546.4

 

 

$

121.1

 

 

$

26.9

 

 

$

22.9

 

 

$

31.0

 

Unrecognized net prior service costs (benefits)

 

2.6

 

 

3.1

 

 

1.6

 

 

0.1

 

 

(0.1

)

 

(6.6

)

Tax benefit

 

(207.5

)

 

(212.9

)

 

(37.4

)

 

(10.3

)

 

(9.9

)

 

(13.0

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

$

327.9

 

 

$

336.6

 

 

$

85.3

 

 

$

16.7

 

 

$

12.9

 

 

$

11.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Change in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of net actuarial loss

 

$

(15.9

)

 

 

 

 

$

(2.1

)

 

 

 

 

$

(4.3

)

 

 

 

Amortization of prior service benefits (costs)

 

(0.5

)

 

 

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

 

 

6.5

 

 

 

 

Current period net actuarial loss (gain)

 

2.3

 

 

 

 

 

86.2

 

 

 

 

 

(3.8

)

 

 

 

Current period prior service costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tax expense (benefit)

 

5.4

 

 

 

 

 

(30.4

)

 

 

 

 

3.1

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other comprehensive loss (income)

 

$

(8.7

)

 

 

 

 

$

68.6

 

 

 

 

 

$

1.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Includes qualified and non-qualified plans

 

Estimated amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss expected to be reclassified to net period cost during 2010 are as follows:

 

 

 

U.S.

 

INTERNATIONAL

 

U.S. POSTRETIREMENT

 

 

MILLIONS

 

PENSION (a)

 

PENSION

 

HEALTH CARE

 

 

Net actuarial loss

 

$      24.7

 

$       4.3

 

$         2.0

 

 

Net prior service costs/(benefits)

 

0.5

 

0.4

 

(0.4)

 

 

Total

 

$      25.2

 

$       4.7

 

$         1.6

 

 

 

(a) Includes qualified and non-qualified plans.

 

49



 

These plans include various U.S., international and postretirement healthcare plans, which are funded consistent with local practices and requirements. These plans also include the U.S. non-qualified pension plan which is not funded. The aggregate projected benefit obligation, accumulated benefit obligation and fair value of plan assets for pension plans with accumulated benefit obligations in excess of plan assets were as follows:

 

DECEMBER 31 (MILLIONS)

 

2009

 

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Aggregate projected benefit obligation

 

$  519.4

 

 

$1,220.3

 

Accumulated benefit obligation

 

468.7

 

 

1,027.4

 

Fair value of plan assets

 

175.5

 

 

678.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008 amounts included the U.S. qualified pension plan. 2009 amounts do not include the U.S. qualified plan because the plan’s assets were greater than its accumulated benefit obligation as of December 31, 2009.

 

Plan Assets

The fair value of plan assets is determined by using a fair value methodology that categorizes the inputs used to measure fair value. The first category is for unadjusted quoted prices in an active market (Level 1). The next category is for values measured using significant observable inputs, such as quoted prices for a similar asset or liability in an active market (Level 2). The last category is for fair value measurements based on significant unobservable inputs (Level 3).

 

United States

The fair value of the company’s U.S. plan assets and the target allocation percentages for its defined benefit pension and postretirement health care benefits plans are as follows:

 

ASSET
CATEGORY

 

TARGET
ASSET
ALLOCATION PERCENTAGE

 

 

PERCENTAGE
OF PLAN ASSETS

 

DECEMBER 31 (%)

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

-   

 

-   

 

 

10%

 

-   

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Large cap equity

 

35%

 

43%

 

 

40   

 

42%

 

Small cap equity

 

10   

 

12   

 

 

10   

 

11   

 

International equity

 

13   

 

15   

 

 

12   

 

14   

 

Fixed income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate bonds

 

-   

 

3   

 

 

-   

 

3   

 

Government bonds

 

22   

 

22   

 

 

19   

 

23   

 

Other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate

 

5   

 

5   

 

 

3   

 

7   

 

Hedge funds

 

6   

 

-   

 

 

6   

 

-   

 

Private equity

 

5   

 

-   

 

 

-   

 

-   

 

Alternative investments

 

4   

 

-   

 

 

-   

 

-   

 

Total

 

100%

 

100%

 

 

100%

 

100%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FAIR VALUE AS OF
DECEMBER 31, 2009

 

MILLIONS

 

LEVEL 1

 

LEVEL 2

 

LEVEL 3

 

TOTAL

 

Cash

 

$    97.5

 

 

 

 

 

$    97.5

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Large cap equity

 

366.9

 

 

 

 

 

366.9

 

Small cap equity

 

88.5

 

 

 

 

 

88.5

 

International equity

 

110.3

 

 

 

 

 

110.3

 

Fixed income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Government bonds

 

170.8

 

 

 

 

 

170.8

 

Other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate

 

 

 

25.1

 

 

 

25.1

 

Hedge funds

 

 

 

 

 

49.3

 

49.3

 

Private equity

 

 

 

 

 

3.1

 

3.1

 

Total

 

$  834.0

 

$    25.1

 

$    52.4

 

$  911.5

 

 

For those assets that are valued using significant unobservable inputs (level 3), the following is a rollforward of the significant activity for the year:

 

MILLIONS

 

HEDGE
FUNDS

 

PRIVATE
EQUITY

 

Beginning balance at December 31, 2008

 

-

 

-

 

Actual return on plan assets

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized gains (losses)

 

$       1.0

 

$     1.1

 

Realized gains (losses)

 

(0.1)

 

(0.3)

 

Purchases, sales or settlements

 

48.4

 

2.3

 

Transfers in and/or out

 

-

 

-

 

Ending balance at December 31, 2009

 

$     49.3

 

$     3.1

 

 

The company is responsible for the valuation process and seeks to obtain quoted market prices for all securities. When quoted market prices are not available, a number of methodologies are used to establish fair value estimates, including discounted cash flow models, prices from recently executed transactions of similar securities or broker/dealer quotes using market observable information to the extent possible. The company reviews the values generated by those models for reasonableness and, in some cases, further analyzes and researches values generated to ensure their accuracy, which includes reviewing other publicly available information.

 

The company’s U.S. investment strategy and policies are designed to maximize the possibility of having sufficient funds to meet the long-term liabilities of the pension fund, while achieving a balance between the goals of asset growth of the plan and keeping risk at a reasonable level. Current income is not a key goal of the plan. The asset allocation position reflects the ability and willingness to accept relatively more short-term variability in the performance of the pension plan portfolio in exchange for the expectation of better long-term returns, lower pension costs and better funded status in the long run.

 

Since diversification is widely recognized as important to reduce unnecessary risk, the pension fund is diversified across a number of asset classes and securities. Selected individual portfolios within the asset classes may be undiversified while maintaining the diversified nature of total plan assets. The company has no significant concentration of risk in its U.S. plan assets.

 

50



 

International

The fair value of the company’s international plans and the allocation of plan assets for its defined benefit pension plans are as follows:

 

ASSET

 

PERCENTAGE

 

CATEGORY

 

OF PLAN ASSETS

 

 

 

2009

 

2008

 

DECEMBER 31 (%)

 

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

1

%

 

 

 

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International equity

 

38

 

 

38

%

 

Fixed income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate bonds

 

26

 

 

 

 

 

Government bonds

 

 

15

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total fixed income

 

41

 

 

42

 

 

Other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate

 

4

 

 

3

 

 

Insurance contracts

 

16

 

 

14

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

3

 

 

Total

 

100

%

 

100

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

FAIR VALUE AS OF

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DECEMBER 31, 2009

 

 

 

MILLIONS

 

LEVEL 1

 

LEVEL 2

 

LEVEL 3

 

TOTAL

 

Cash

 

$

6.0

 

 

 

 

 

$

6.0

 

Equity securities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

International equity

 

114.0

 

 

 

 

 

114.0

 

Fixed income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Corporate bonds

 

77.6

 

 

 

 

 

77.6

 

Government bonds

 

44.8

 

 

 

 

 

44.8

 

Other:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Real estate

 

 

 

10.0

 

 

 

10.0

 

Insurance contracts

 

 

 

47.0

 

 

 

47.0

 

Total

 

$

242.4

 

$

57.0

 

 

 

$

299.4

 

 

Assets of funded retirement plans outside the U.S. are managed in each local jurisdiction and asset allocation strategy is set in accordance with local rules, regulations and practice. Therefore, no overall target asset allocation is presented. Although equity securities are all considered international for the company, some equity securities are considered domestic for the local plan. The funds are invested in a variety of equities, bonds and real estate investments and, in some cases, the assets are managed by insurance companies which may offer a guaranteed rate of return. The company has no investments that are level 3 in its international plan assets. The company has no significant concentration of risk in its international plan assets.

 

Net Periodic Benefit Costs

Pension and postretirement health care benefits expense for the company’s operations was:

 

 

 

 

U.S.

 

 

INTERNATIONAL

 

 

U.S. POSTRETIREMENT

 

 

 

 

PENSION (a)

 

 

PENSION

 

 

HEALTH CARE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MILLIONS

 

 

2009

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

2009

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

2009

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost - employee benefits earned during the year

 

 

$

47.2

 

 

$

44.7

 

$

43.2

 

 

$

14.9

 

 

$

20.7

 

$

20.3

 

 

$

2.0

 

 

$

2.3

 

$

2.6

 

Interest cost on benefit obligation

 

 

59.0

 

 

51.8

 

47.5

 

 

24.6

 

 

26.1

 

22.4

 

 

9.5

 

 

9.6

 

9.6

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(75.5

)

 

(70.3

)

(65.8

)

 

(16.4

)

 

(18.8

)

(16.1

)

 

(1.4

)

 

(2.5

)

(2.5

)

Recognition of net actuarial loss

 

 

15.9

 

 

8.9

 

13.0

 

 

1.6

 

 

1.1

 

3.2

 

 

4.3

 

 

4.7

 

7.3

 

Amortization of prior service cost (benefit)

 

 

0.5

 

 

1.3

 

2.0

 

 

0.3

 

 

0.4

 

0.2

 

 

(5.9

)

 

(6.4

)

(6.4

)

Curtailment loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total expense

 

 

$

47.1

 

 

$

36.4

 

$

39.9

 

 

$

25.5

 

 

$

29.5

 

$

30.4

 

 

$

9.4

 

 

$

7.7

 

$

10.6

 

 

(a) Includes qualified and non-qualified plans

 

Plan Assumptions

 

 

 

 

U.S.

 

 

INTERNATIONAL

 

 

U.S. POSTRETIREMENT

 

 

 

 

PENSION (a)

 

 

PENSION

 

 

HEALTH CARE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2009

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

2009

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

 

2009

 

 

2008

 

2007

 

Weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine benefit obligations as of year end:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount rate

 

 

5.84

%

 

 

6.26

%

 

5.99

%

 

 

5.21

%

 

 

6.39

%

 

5.34

%

 

 

5.84

%

 

 

6.26

%

 

5.99

%

 

Projected salary increase

 

 

4.32

 

 

 

4.32

 

 

4.32

 

 

 

3.38

 

 

 

3.23

 

 

3.25

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average actuarial assumptions used to determine net cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discount rate

 

 

6.26

 

 

 

5.99

 

 

5.79

 

 

 

5.92

 

 

 

5.03

 

 

4.64

 

 

 

6.26

 

 

 

5.99

 

 

5.79

 

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

8.50

 

 

 

8.75

 

 

8.75

 

 

 

5.48

 

 

 

5.85

 

 

5.87

 

 

 

8.50

%

 

 

8.75

%

 

8.75

%

 

Projected salary increase

 

 

4.32

%

 

 

4.32

%

 

4.32

%

 

 

3.23

%

 

 

3.14

%

 

3.32

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(a) Includes qualified and non-qualified plans

 

51



 

The expected long-term rate of return used for the U.S. plans is generally based on the pension plan’s asset mix. The company considers expected long-term real returns on asset categories, expectations for inflation, and estimates of the impact of active management of the assets in coming to the final rate to use. The company also considers actual historical returns. The expected return on plan assets for the U.S. plans was reduced by 0.25% to 8.50% for 2009 from 8.75% for 2008. This change reflected an assumption at the low end of the expected rate of return range, including a more conservative expectation of the impact of active management.

 

The expected long-term rate of return used in the company’s international plans is determined in each local jurisdiction and is based on the assets held in that jurisdiction, the expected rate of returns for the type of assets held and any guaranteed rate of return provided by the investment.

 

For postretirement benefit measurement purposes as of December 31, 2009, the annual rates of increase in the per capita cost of covered health care were assumed to be 7.5% (for pre-age 65 retirees) and 8% (for post-age 65 retirees). The rates were assumed to decrease each year until they reach 5% in 2019 for both pre-age 65 retirees and post-age 65 retirees and remain at those levels thereafter. Health care costs which are eligible for subsidy by the company are limited to a maximum 4% annual increase beginning in 1996 for certain employees.

 

Assumed health care cost trend rates have a significant effect on the amounts reported for the company’s U.S. postretirement health care benefits plan. A one-percentage point change in the assumed health care cost trend rates would have the following effects:

 

 

 

1-PERCENTAGE POINT

 

 

MILLIONS

 

INCREASE  

 

DECREASE  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Effect on total of service and interest cost components

 

$     0.6  

 

$     (0.5) 

 

 

 Effect on postretirement benefit obligation

 

9.1  

 

(7.8) 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amendments

During 2004, the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the “Act”) added a new Section 409A to the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”) which significantly changed the federal tax law applicable to amounts deferred after December 31, 2004 under non-qualified deferred compensation plans. In December 2004 the company amended the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (“SERP”) and the Mirror Pension Plan to (1) allow amounts deferred prior to January 1, 2005 to qualify for “grandfathered” status and to continue to be governed by the law applicable to nonqualified deferred compensation prior to the Act, and (2) temporarily freeze benefits as of December 31, 2004 due to the uncertainty regarding the effect of the Act on such benefits. The Secretary of Treasury and the Internal Revenue Service issued final regulations with respect to the provisions of the Act in April 2007 and final amendments to comply with the Act were adopted by the company prior to the end of 2008. The final amendments restored benefits retroactive to January 1, 2005 and otherwise made changes to ensure compliance with Code Section 409A for post 2004 benefit accruals. Additionally, the company made minor amendments to the Non-Employee Director Stock Option and Deferred Compensation Plan and Mirror Savings Plan to allow for compliance with Code Section 409A. These amendments did not impact the company’s reported results of operations or financial position.

 

Cash Flows

As of year-end 2009, the company’s estimate of benefits expected to be paid in each of the next five fiscal years, and in the aggregate for the five fiscal years thereafter for the company’s pension and postretirement health care benefit plans are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

MEDICARE

 

 

 

 

 

SUBSIDY

 

MILLIONS

 

ALL PLANS

 

RECEIPTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 2010

 

$     72

 

 

$     1

 

 

 

 2011

 

74

 

 

1

 

 

 

 2012

 

86

 

 

1

 

 

 

 2013

 

86

 

 

1

 

 

 

 2014

 

94

 

 

1

 

 

 

 2015-2019

 

595

 

 

9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The company’s funding policy for the U.S. pension plan is to achieve and maintain a return on assets that meets the long-term funding requirements identified by the projections of the pension plan’s actuaries while simultaneously satisfying the fiduciary responsibilities prescribed in ERISA. The company also takes into consideration the tax deductibility of contributions to the benefit plans. The company is in compliance with all funding requirements of its U.S. pension and postretirement health care plans. Certain international pension benefit plans are required to be funded in accordance with local government requirements. The company estimates that it will contribute approximately $28 million to the international pension benefit plans during 2010.

 

The company is not aware of any expected refunds of plan assets within the next 12 months from any of its existing U.S. or international pension or postretirement benefit plans.

 

Savings Plan and ESOP

The company provides a 401(k) savings plan for substantially all U.S. employees. Employee before-tax contributions of up to 3% of eligible compensation are matched 100% by the company and employee before-tax contributions between 3% and 5% of eligible compensation are matched 50% by the company. The company’s matching contributions are 100% vested immediately. Effective January 1, 2009, the plan was amended to allow the company’s matching contributions to be invested in the same investment funds as employee before tax contributions. Prior to 2009, the company’s matching contributions were invested in Ecolab common stock and employees were allowed to immediately re-allocate to other investment funds within the plan. The company’s contributions amounted to $22 million in 2009, $23 million in 2008 and $20 million in 2007.

 

16. OPERATING SEGMENTS

The company’s twelve operating segments have been aggregated into three reportable segments.

 

The “U.S. Cleaning & Sanitizing” reportable segment provides cleaning and sanitizing products to U.S. markets through its Institutional, Food & Beverage, Kay, Textile Care, Healthcare and Vehicle Care operating segments. These operating segments exhibit similar products, manufacturing processes, customers, distribution methods and economic characteristics.

 

52



 

The “U.S. Other Services” reportable segment includes all other U.S. operations of the company. This segment provides pest elimination and kitchen equipment repair and maintenance through its Pest Elimination and GCS Service operating segments, respectively. These two operating segments are primarily fee for service businesses. Since the primary focus of these businesses is service, they have not been combined with the company’s “U.S. Cleaning & Sanitizing” reportable segment. These operating segments are combined and disclosed as an “all other” category. Total service revenue for this segment was $381 million, $395 million and $371 million for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

The company’s “International” reportable segment includes four operating segments; Europe/Middle East/Africa (EMEA), Asia Pacific, Latin America and Canada. These segments provide cleaning and sanitizing products as well as pest elimination service. International operations are managed by geographic region and exhibit similar products, manufacturing processes, customers, distribution methods and economic characteristics. Total service revenue, at public rates, for international pest elimination was $171 million, $186 million and $193 million for 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

The company evaluates the performance of its International operations based on fixed currency exchange rates. The difference between the fixed currency exchange rates and the actual currency exchange rates is reported as “foreign currency translation” in operating segment reporting. All other accounting policies of the reportable segments are consistent with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and the accounting policies of the company described in Note 2. The profitability of the company’s operating segments is evaluated by management based on operating income.

 

Consistent with the company’s internal management reporting, corporate operating income (loss) for 2009, 2008, 2007 includes $67.1 million, $25.9 million and $19.7 million, respectively, of special gains and charges included on the Consolidated Statement of Income as well as investments the company is making in business systems and the company’s business structure. Corporate assets are principally cash and cash equivalents and deferred taxes.

 

The company has two classes of products within its U.S. Cleaning & Sanitizing and International operations which comprise 10% or more of consolidated net sales. Sales of warewashing products were approximately 19%, 19% and 20% of consolidated net sales in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively. Sales of laundry products were approximately 11%, 11% and 10% of consolidated net sales in 2009, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

 

Property, plant and equipment, net, of the company’s U.S. and International operations were as follows:

 

DECEMBER 31 (MILLIONS)

 

2009

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

 

$

778.5

 

 

$

782.5

 

International

 

 

397.7

 

 

352.7

 

Consolidated

 

 

$

1,176.2

 

 

$

1,135.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial information for each of the company’s reportable segments is as follows:

 

 

 

U.S.

 

U.S.

 

 

 

 

 

FOREIGN

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CLEANING &

 

OTHER

 

TOTAL

 

 

 

CURRENCY

 

 

 

 

 

 MILLIONS

 

SANITIZING

 

SERVICES

 

U.S.

 

INTERNATIONAL

 

TRANSLATION

 

CORPORATE

 

CONSOLIDATED

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 NET SALES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 2009

 

$  2,663.3

 

 

$  449.4

 

 

$ 3,112.7

 

 

$  2,674.9

 

 

$  113.0

 

 

 

 

 

$ 5,900.6

 

 

 2008

 

2,660.8

 

 

469.3

 

 

3,130.1

 

 

2,650.7

 

 

356.7

 

 

 

 

 

6,137.5

 

 

 2007

 

2,351.4

 

 

449.9

 

 

2,801.3

 

 

2,491.6

 

 

176.7

 

 

 

 

 

5,469.6

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATING INCOME (LOSS)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 2009

 

495.2

 

 

65.7

 

 

560.9

 

 

209.0

 

 

15.3

 

 

$  (103.9)

 

 

681.3

 

 

 2008

 

430.2

 

 

51.8

 

 

482.0

 

 

236.2

 

 

49.7

 

 

(55.1)

 

 

712.8

 

 

 2007

 

394.0

 

 

40.7

 

 

434.7

 

 

247.3

 

 

27.4

 

 

(40.4)

 

 

669.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DEPRECIATION & AMORTIZATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 2009

 

193.5

 

 

6.4

 

 

199.9

 

 

134.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

334.2

 

 

 2008

 

184.3

 

 

6.2

 

 

190.5

 

 

144.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

334.7

 

 

 2007

 

153.4

 

 

6.1

 

 

159.5

 

 

132.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

291.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

CAPITAL EXPENDITURES (INCLUDING CAPITALIZED SOFTWARE)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 2009

 

184.6

 

 

4.0

 

 

188.6

 

 

108.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

297.3

 

 

 2008

 

251.1

 

 

4.4

 

 

255.5

 

 

139.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

394.5

 

 

 2007

 

216.5

 

 

11.8

 

 

228.3

 

 

133.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

361.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 TOTAL ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 2009

 

1,999.2

 

 

199.2

 

 

2,198.4

 

 

2,525.4

 

 

 

 

 

297.1

 

 

5,020.9

 

 

 2008

 

2,029.4

 

 

205.3

 

 

2,234.7

 

 

2,202.9

 

 

 

 

 

319.3

 

 

4,756.9

 

 

 

53



 

17. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

 

 

 

 

FIRST

 

SECOND

 

THIRD

 

FOURTH

 

 

 

MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE

 

 

QUARTER

 

QUARTER

 

QUARTER

 

QUARTER

 

YEAR

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Cleaning & Sanitizing

 

 

$

622.9

 

$

671.1

 

$

693.2

 

$

676.1

 

$

2,663.3

 

U.S. Other Services

 

 

107.1

 

115.3

 

117.6

 

109.4

 

449.4

 

International

 

 

625.0

 

656.4

 

692.0

 

701.5

 

2,674.9

 

Effect of foreign currency translation

 

 

(6.8

)

(1.3

)

43.6

 

77.5

 

113.0

 

Total

 

 

1,348.2

 

1,441.5

 

1,546.4

 

1,564.5

 

5,900.6

 

Cost of sales

 

 

707.9

 

725.1

 

763.9

 

781.1

 

2,978.0

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

516.3

 

526.4

 

554.1

 

577.4

 

2,174.2

 

Special (gains) and charges

 

 

26.5

 

25.0

 

5.4

 

10.2

 

67.1

 

Operating income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Cleaning & Sanitizing

 

 

102.6

 

126.3

 

141.1

 

125.2

 

495.2

 

U.S. Other Services

 

 

13.2

 

18.3

 

18.4

 

15.8

 

65.7

 

International

 

 

21.6

 

51.9

 

71.0

 

64.5

 

209.0

 

Corporate

 

 

(39.1

)

(31.7

)

(13.2

)

(19.9

)

(103.9

)

Effect of foreign currency translation

 

 

(0.8

)

0.2

 

5.7

 

10.2

 

15.3

 

Total

 

 

97.5

 

165.0

 

223.0

 

195.8

 

681.3

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

15.8

 

15.2

 

15.1

 

15.1

 

61.2

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

81.7

 

149.8

 

207.9

 

180.7

 

620.1

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

24.0

 

50.3

 

62.7

 

64.4

 

201.4

 

Net income including noncontrolling interest

 

 

57.7

 

99.5

 

145.2

 

116.3

 

418.7

 

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

0.3

 

0.4

 

0.2

 

0.5

 

1.4

 

Net income attributable to Ecolab

 

 

$

57.4

 

$

99.1

 

$

145.0

 

$

115.8

 

$

417.3

 

Net income attributable to Ecolab per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

$

0.24

 

$

0.42

 

$

0.61

 

$

0.49

 

$

1.76

 

Diluted

 

 

$

0.24

 

$

0.41

 

$

0.60

 

$

0.48

 

$

1.74

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

236.1

 

236.5

 

237.0

 

237.1

 

236.7

 

Diluted

 

 

238.1

 

239.5

 

240.6

 

241.3

 

239.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Cleaning & Sanitizing

 

 

$

653.4

 

$

663.7

 

$

695.5

 

$

648.2

 

$

2,660.8

 

U.S. Other Services

 

 

110.4

 

120.9

 

124.7

 

113.3

 

469.3

 

International

 

 

609.0

 

660.2

 

684.1

 

697.4

 

2,650.7

 

Effect of foreign currency translation

 

 

85.1

 

125.2

 

122.0

 

24.4

 

356.7

 

Total

 

 

1,457.9

 

1,570.0

 

1,626.3

 

1,483.3

 

6,137.5

 

Cost of sales

 

 

738.3

 

798.8

 

834.3

 

770.2

 

3,141.6

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

557.0

 

580.0

 

578.8

 

541.4

 

2,257.2

 

Special (gains) and charges

 

 

1.9

 

(19.3

)

11.8

 

31.5

 

25.9

 

Operating income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

U.S. Cleaning & Sanitizing

 

 

105.2

 

107.2

 

120.4

 

97.4

 

430.2

 

U.S. Other Services

 

 

7.0

 

13.0

 

17.9

 

13.9

 

51.8

 

International

 

 

45.2

 

62.8

 

66.7

 

61.5

 

236.2

 

Corporate

 

 

(6.8

)

9.9

 

(19.4

)

(38.8

)

(55.1

)

Effect of foreign currency translation

 

 

10.1

 

17.6

 

15.8

 

6.2

 

49.7

 

Total

 

 

160.7

 

210.5

 

201.4

 

140.2

 

712.8

 

Interest expense, net

 

 

14.8

 

15.3

 

16.0

 

15.5

 

61.6

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

145.9

 

195.2

 

185.4

 

124.7

 

651.2

 

Provision for income taxes

 

 

42.8

 

56.2

 

59.5

 

44.3

 

202.8

 

Net income including noncontrolling interest

 

 

103.1

 

139.0

 

125.9

 

80.4

 

448.4

 

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

 

0.2

 

 

(0.3

)

0.4

 

0.3

 

Net income attributable to Ecolab

 

 

$

102.9

 

$

139.0

 

$

126.2

 

$

80.0

 

$

448.1

 

Net income attributable to Ecolab per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

$

0.42

 

$

0.56

 

$

0.51

 

$

0.33

 

$

1.83

 

Diluted

 

 

$

0.41

 

$

0.55

 

$

0.50

 

$

0.33

 

$

1.80

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

 

247.0

 

247.1

 

247.5

 

239.9

 

245.4

 

Diluted

 

 

251.5

 

251.4

 

251.8

 

242.9

 

249.3

 

 

Per share amounts do not necessarily sum due to changes in the calculation of shares outstanding for each discrete period and rounding.

 

54



 

REPORTS OF MANAGEMENT

 

To our Shareholders:

 

Management’s Responsibility for Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the integrity and objectivity of the consolidated financial statements. The statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and, accordingly, include certain amounts based on management’s best estimates and judgments.

 

The Board of Directors, acting through its Audit Committee composed solely of independent directors, is responsible for determining that management fulfills its responsibilities in the preparation of financial statements and maintains financial control of operations. The Audit Committee recommends to the Board of Directors the appointment of the company’s independent registered public accounting firm, subject to ratification by the shareholders. It meets regularly with management, the internal auditors and the independent registered public accounting firm.

 

The independent registered public accounting firm has audited the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report and have expressed their opinion regarding whether these consolidated financial statements present fairly in all material respects our financial position and results of operation and cash flows as stated in their report presented separately herein.

 

Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the principal executive officer and principal financial officer, an evaluation of the design and operating effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting was conducted based on the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on the evaluation under the framework in Internal Control – Integrated Framework, management concluded that internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2009.

 

The company’s independent registered public accounting firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, has audited the effectiveness of the company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009 as stated in their report which is included herein.

 

 

Douglas M. Baker, Jr.

 

Steven L. Fritze

Chairman of the Board,

 

Chief Financial Officer

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

To the Shareholders and Directors of Ecolab Inc.:

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, shareholders’ equity and of cash flows present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Ecolab Inc. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2009 and 2008, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2009 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2009, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). The Company’s management is responsible for these financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express opinions on these financial statements and on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our integrated audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audits of the financial statements included examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.

 

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

 

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

 

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Minneapolis, Minnesota

February 26, 2010

 

55



 

Summary Operating and Financial Data

DECEMBER 31 (MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND

EMPLOYEES)

 

     2009

 

     2008

 

     2007

 

     2006

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

OPERATIONS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net sales

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

$

3,112.7

 

 

$

3,130.1

 

 

$

2,801.3

 

 

$

2,562.8

 

 

International (at average rates of currency exchange during the year)

 

2,787.9

 

 

3,007.4

 

 

2,668.3

 

 

2,333.0

 

 

Total

 

5,900.6

 

 

6,137.5

 

 

5,469.6

 

 

4,895.8

 

 

Cost of sales (including special (gains) and charges of $12.6 in 2009, $(0.1) in 2004, $(0.1) in 2003, $9.0 in 2002, $(0.6) in 2001 and $1.9 in 2000) 

 

2,978.0

 

 

3,141.6

 

 

2,691.7

 

 

2,416.1

 

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

2,174.2

 

 

2,257.2

 

 

2,089.2

 

 

1,866.7

 

 

Special (gains) and charges

 

67.1

 

 

25.9

 

 

19.7

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

681.3

 

 

712.8

 

 

669.0

 

 

613.0

 

 

Gain on sale of equity investment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense, net

 

61.2

 

 

61.6

 

 

51.0

 

 

44.4

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes, equity earnings and changes in accounting principle

 

620.1

 

 

651.2

 

 

618.0

 

 

568.6

 

 

Provision for income taxes

 

201.4

 

 

202.8

 

 

189.1

 

 

198.6

 

 

Equity in earnings of Henkel-Ecolab

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

418.7

 

 

448.4

 

 

428.9

 

 

370.0

 

 

Gain from discontinued operations

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Changes in accounting principle

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income including noncontrolling interest

 

418.7

 

 

448.4

 

 

428.9

 

 

370.0

 

 

Less: Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest

 

1.4

 

 

0.3

 

 

1.7

 

 

1.4

 

 

Net income attributable to Ecolab

 

417.3

 

 

448.1

 

 

427.2

 

 

368.6

 

 

Goodwill amortization adjustment

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income excluding goodwill amortization

 

$

417.3

 

 

$

448.1

 

 

$

427.2

 

 

$

368.6

 

 

Net income attributable to Ecolab per common share, as reported

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic - continuing operations

 

$

1.76

 

 

$

1.83

 

 

$

1.73

 

 

$

1.46

 

 

Basic - net income

 

1.76

 

 

1.83

 

 

1.73

 

 

1.46

 

 

Diluted - continuing operations

 

1.74

 

 

1.80

 

 

1.70

 

 

1.43

 

 

Diluted - net income

 

1.74

 

 

1.80

 

 

1.70

 

 

1.43

 

 

Net income excluding goodwill amortization per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic - continuing operations

 

1.76

 

 

1.83

 

 

1.73

 

 

1.46

 

 

Basic - net income

 

1.76

 

 

1.83

 

 

1.73

 

 

1.46

 

 

Diluted - continuing operations

 

1.74

 

 

1.80

 

 

1.70

 

 

1.43

 

 

Diluted - net income

 

$

1.74

 

 

$

1.80

 

 

$

1.70

 

 

$

1.43

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - basic

 

236.7

 

 

245.4

 

 

246.8

 

 

252.1

 

 

Weighted-average common shares outstanding - diluted

 

239.9

 

 

249.3

 

 

251.8

 

 

257.1

 

 

SELECTED INCOME STATEMENT RATIOS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gross profit

 

49.5

%

 

48.8

%

 

50.8

%

 

50.7

%

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

36.8

 

 

36.8

 

 

38.2

 

 

38.1

 

 

Operating income

 

11.5

 

 

11.6

 

 

12.2

 

 

12.5

 

 

Income from continuing operations before income taxes

 

10.5

 

 

10.6

 

 

11.3

 

 

11.6

 

 

Income from continuing operations

 

7.1

 

 

7.3

 

 

7.8

 

 

7.6

 

 

Effective income tax rate

 

32.5

%

 

31.1

%

 

30.6

%

 

34.9

%

 

FINANCIAL POSITION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

$

1,814.2

 

 

$

1,691.1

 

 

$

1,717.3

 

 

$

1,853.6

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

1,176.2

 

 

1,135.2

 

 

1,083.4

 

 

951.6

 

 

Investment in Henkel-Ecolab

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goodwill, intangible and other assets

 

2,030.5

 

 

1,930.6

 

 

1,922.1

 

 

1,614.2

 

 

Total assets

 

$

5,020.9

 

 

$

4,756.9

 

 

$

4,722.8

 

 

$

4,419.4

 

 

Current liabilities

 

$

1,250.2

 

 

$

1,441.9

 

 

$

1,518.3

 

 

$

1,502.8

 

 

Long-term debt

 

868.8

 

 

799.3

 

 

599.9

 

 

557.1

 

 

Postretirement health care and pension benefits

 

603.7

 

 

680.2

 

 

418.5

 

 

420.2

 

 

Other liabilities

 

288.6

 

 

256.5

 

 

243.2

 

 

252.7

 

 

Ecolab shareholders’ equity

 

2,000.9

 

 

1,571.6

 

 

1,935.7

 

 

1,680.2

 

 

Noncontrolling interest

 

8.7

 

 

7.4

 

 

7.2

 

 

6.4

 

 

Total equity

 

2,009.6

 

 

1,579.0

 

 

1,942.9

 

 

1,686.6

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

5,020.9

 

 

$

4,756.9

 

 

$

4,722.8

 

 

$

4,419.4

 

 

SELECTED CASH FLOW INFORMATION

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash provided by operating activities

 

$

695.0

 

 

$

753.2

 

 

$

797.6

 

 

$

627.6

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

334.3

 

 

334.7

 

 

291.9

 

 

268.6

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

252.5

 

 

326.7

 

 

306.5

 

 

287.9

 

 

Cash dividends declared per common share

 

$

0.5750

 

 

$

0.5300

 

 

$

0.4750

 

 

$

0.4150

 

 

SELECTED FINANCIAL MEASURES/OTHER

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total debt

 

$

967.3

 

 

$

1,138.2

 

 

$

1,003.4

 

 

$

1,066.1

 

 

Total debt to capitalization

 

32.5

%

 

41.9

%

 

34.1

%

 

38.7

%

 

Book value per common share

 

$

8.46

 

 

$

6.65

 

 

$

7.84

 

 

$

6.69

 

 

Return on beginning equity

 

26.6

%

 

23.1

%

 

25.4

%

 

22.4

%

 

Dividends per share/diluted net income per common share

 

33.1

%

 

29.4

%

 

27.9

%

 

29.0

%

 

Net interest coverage

 

11.1

 

 

11.6

 

 

13.1

 

 

13.8

 

 

Year end market capitalization

 

$

10,547.4

 

 

$

8,301.7

 

 

$

12,639.9

 

 

$

11,360.4

 

 

Annual common stock price range

 

$

47.88-29.27

 

 

$

52.35-29.56

 

 

$

52.78-37.01

 

 

$

46.40-33.64

 

 

Number of employees

 

25,931

 

 

26,568

 

 

26,052

 

 

23,130

 

 

 

Results for 2008 through 1999 have been restated to reflect the retroactive application of ASC 810 Consolidation . Property, plant and equipment amounts for the years 2005 through 1999 have been restated to include capital software which was previously classified in other assets. Results for 2004 through 1999 have been restated to reflect the effect of retroactive application of ASC 718 Compensation - Stock Compensation . The former Henkel-Ecolab joint venture is included as a consolidated subsidiary

 

56



 

      2005

 

      2004

 

      2003

 

      2002

 

      2001

 

      2000

 

      1999

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

2,327.4

 

$

2,135.7

 

$

2,014.8

 

$

1,923.5

 

$

1,821.9

 

$

1,746.7

 

$

1,605.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,207.4

 

2,049.3

 

1,747.0

 

1,480.1

 

498.8

 

484.0

 

444.4

 

4,534.8

 

4,185.0

 

3,761.8

 

3,403.6

 

2,320.7

 

2,230.7

 

2,049.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,248.8

 

2,033.5

 

1,846.6

 

1,688.7

 

1,121.1

 

1,056.9

 

963.9

 

1,743.0

 

1,656.1

 

1,458.7

 

1,302.9

 

896.4

 

862.4

 

803.0

 

 

 

4.5

 

0.4

 

37.0

 

0.8

 

(20.7

)

 

 

543.0

 

490.9

 

456.1

 

375.0

 

302.4

 

332.1

 

282.9

 

 

 

 

 

11.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

44.2

 

45.3

 

45.3

 

43.9

 

28.4

 

24.6

 

22.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

498.8

 

445.6

 

421.9

 

331.1

 

274.0

 

307.5

 

260.2

 

178.7

 

161.9

 

160.2

 

131.3

 

110.5

 

124.4

 

106.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

15.8

 

19.5

 

18.3

 

320.1

 

283.7

 

261.7

 

199.8

 

179.3

 

202.6

 

172.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(4.0

)

 

 

(2.5

)

 

 

320.1

 

283.7

 

261.7

 

197.7

 

179.3

 

200.1

 

172.1

 

0.6

 

1.0

 

1.1

 

1.4

 

1.8

 

1.7

 

1.4

 

319.5

 

282.7

 

260.6

 

196.3

 

177.5

 

198.4

 

170.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

18.5

 

17.8

 

16.6

 

$

319.5

 

$

282.7

 

$

260.6

 

$

196.3

 

$

196.0

 

$

216.2

 

$

187.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1.25

 

$

1.10

 

$

1.00

 

$

0.77

 

$

0.70

 

$

0.79

 

$

0.66

 

1.25

 

1.10

 

1.00

 

0.76

 

0.70

 

0.78

 

0.66

 

1.23

 

1.09

 

0.99

 

0.76

 

0.68

 

0.76

 

0.63

 

1.23

 

1.09

 

0.99

 

0.75

 

0.68

 

0.75

 

0.63

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.25

 

1.10

 

1.00

 

0.77

 

0.77

 

0.86

 

0.72

 

1.25

 

1.10

 

1.00

 

0.76

 

0.77

 

0.85

 

0.72

 

1.23

 

1.09

 

0.99

 

0.76

 

0.75

 

0.83

 

0.70

 

$

1.23

 

$

1.09

 

$

0.99

 

$

0.75

 

$

0.75

 

$

0.82

 

$

0.70

 

255.7

 

257.6

 

259.5

 

258.2

 

254.8

 

255.5

 

259.1

 

260.1

 

260.4

 

262.7

 

261.6

 

259.9

 

263.9

 

268.8

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

50.4

%

51.4

%

50.9

%

50.4

%

51.7

%

52.6

%

53.0

%

38.4

 

39.6

 

38.8

 

38.3

 

38.6

 

38.7

 

39.2

 

12.0

 

11.7

 

12.1

 

11.0

 

13.0

 

14.9

 

13.8

 

11.0

 

10.6

 

11.2

 

9.7

 

11.8

 

13.8

 

12.7

 

7.1

 

6.8

 

7.0

 

5.9

 

7.7

 

9.1

 

8.4

 

35.8

%

36.3

%

38.0

%

39.7

%

40.3

%

40.5

%

40.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,421.7

 

$

1,279.1

 

$

1,150.3

 

$

1,015.9

 

$

929.6

 

$

600.6

 

$

577.3

 

868.0

 

867.0

 

769.1

 

716.1

 

668.4

 

512.6

 

454.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

199.6

 

219.0

 

1,506.9

 

1,570.1

 

1,309.5

 

1,133.9

 

943.4

 

411.9

 

342.0

 

$

3,796.6

 

$

3,716.2

 

$

3,228.9

 

$

2,865.9

 

$

2,541.4

 

$

1,724.7

 

$

1,592.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,119.4

 

$

939.6

 

$

851.9

 

$

853.8

 

$

828.0

 

$

532.0

 

$

470.7

 

519.4

 

645.5

 

604.4

 

539.7

 

512.3

 

234.4

 

169.0

 

302.0

 

270.9

 

249.9

 

207.6

 

183.3

 

117.8

 

97.5

 

201.7

 

257.3

 

195.9

 

140.5

 

117.4

 

68.9

 

84.0

 

1,649.2

 

1,598.1

 

1,321.1

 

1,119.8

 

896.7

 

767.7

 

768.8

 

4.9

 

4.8

 

5.7

 

4.5

 

3.7

 

3.9

 

2.7

 

1,654.1

 

1,602.9

 

1,326.8

 

1,124.3

 

900.4

 

771.6

 

771.5

 

$

3,796.6

 

$

3,716.2

 

$

3,228.9

 

$

2,865.9

 

$

2,541.4

 

$

1,724.7

 

$

1,592.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

590.1

 

$

570.9

 

$

523.9

 

$

412.7

 

$

358.5

 

$

309.8

 

$

290.1

 

256.9

 

247.0

 

228.1

 

220.6

 

158.8

 

143.2

 

129.2

 

268.8

 

275.9

 

212.0

 

212.8

 

157.9

 

150.0

 

145.6

 

$

0.3625

 

$

0.3275

 

$

0.2975

 

$

0.2750

 

$

0.2625

 

$

0.2450

 

$

0.2175

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

746.3

 

$

701.6

 

$

674.6

 

$

699.8

 

$

745.7

 

$

371.0

 

$

281.1

 

31.1

%

30.4

%

33.7

%

38.4

%

45.3

%

32.6

%

26.7

%

$

6.49

 

$

6.21

 

$

5.13

 

$

4.31

 

$

3.51

 

$

3.02

 

$

2.97

 

20.0

%

21.4

%

23.3

%

21.9

%

23.1

%

25.8

%

24.6

%

29.5

%

30.0

%

30.1

%

36.7

%

38.6

%

32.7

%

34.5

%

12.3

 

10.8

 

10.1

 

8.5

 

10.6

 

13.5

 

12.5

 

$

9,217.8

 

$

9,047.5

 

$

7,045.5

 

$

6,432.0

 

$

5,148.0

 

$

5,492.1

 

$

5,063.4

 

$

37.15-30.68

 

$

35.59-26.12

 

$

27.92-23.08

 

$

25.20-18.27

 

$

22.10-14.25

 

$

22.85-14.00

 

$

22.22-15.85

 

22,404

 

21,338

 

20,826

 

20,417

 

19,326

 

14,250

 

12,870

 

 

effective November 30, 2001. Net income excluding goodwill amortization for 2001 through 1999 reflect the pro forma effect of the discontinuance of the amortization of goodwill as if ASC 350 Intangibles - Goodwill and Other had been in effect since January 1, 1999. This non-GAAP measure is used to provide comparability of the company’s net income results. All per share, shares outstanding and market price data reflect the two-for-one stock splits declared in 2003. Return on beginning equity is net income attributable to Ecolab divided by beginning Ecolab shareholders’ equity.

 

57


EXHIBIT (21)

 

Registrant

ECOLAB INC.

 

Name of Affiliate

 

State or Other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation

 

Percentage
of
Ownership

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab (Antigua) Ltd.

 

Antigua

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab S.A.

 

Argentina

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab (Aruba) NV

 

Aruba

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Australia Pty Ltd.

 

Australia

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Eagle Environmental Systems Pty Limited

 

Australia

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Pty Ltd.

 

Australia

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Water Care Services Pty Limited

 

Australia

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Gibson Chemical Industries Pty Ltd.

 

Australia

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Gibson Chemicals Fiji Pty Limited

 

Australia

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab AT 2 GmbH

 

Austria

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab GmbH

 

Austria

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Limited

 

Bahamas

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab (Barbados) Limited

 

Barbados

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab B.V.B.A./S.P.R.L.

 

Belgium

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Production Belgium BVBA

 

Belgium

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Kay N.V.

 

Belgium

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab BM 1 Limited

 

Bermuda

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab BM 2 Limited

 

Bermuda

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Quimica Ltda.

 

Brazil

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab EOOD

 

Bulgaria

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Co.

 

Canada

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Arlington International Limited

 

Cayman Islands

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Mystique Management Limited

 

Cayman Islands

 

100

 



 

Name of Affiliate

 

State or Other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation

 

Percentage
of
Ownership

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab S.A.

 

Chile

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Colombia S.A.

 

Colombia

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab, Sociedad Anonima

 

Costa Rica

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab d.o.o.

 

Croatia

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Holding (Cyprus) Limited

 

Cyprus

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Hygiene s.r.o.

 

Czech Republic

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab ApS

 

Denmark

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Holding Denmark ApS

 

Denmark

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Microtek Dominicana S.A.

 

Dominican Republic

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Ecuador CIA. LTDA.

 

Ecuador

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab, S.A. de C.V.

 

El Salvador

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Oy Ecolab AB

 

Finland

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Alpha Holding SAS

 

France

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Amboile Services SAS

 

France

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Amperia SARL

 

France

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Centre Régional de Désinfectisation et de Dératisation SAS

 

France

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab SAS

 

France

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Production France SAS

 

France

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab SNC

 

France

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Eurobiopsy SA

 

France

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Europlak SAS

 

France

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

SCI Erebia

 

France

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Shield Medicare sarl

 

France

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Deutschland GmbH

 

Germany

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Engineering GmbH

 

Germany

 

100

 



 

Name of Affiliate

 

State or Other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation

 

Percentage
of
Ownership

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Export GmbH

 

Germany

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Hygiene Systems GmbH

 

Germany

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Microtek Medical GmbH

 

Germany

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab A.E.B.E.

 

Greece

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab (Guam) LLC

 

Guam

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab, Sociedad Anonima

 

Guatemala

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Peter Cox Insurance Co. Limited

 

Guernsey

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Quimicas Ecolab, S.A.

 

Honduras

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Limited

 

Hong Kong

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Green Harbour Mainland Holdings Ltd

 

Hong Kong

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Holding Hungary LLC

 

Hungary

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Hygiene Kft.

 

Hungary

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

P.T. Ecolab Indonesia

 

Indonesia

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Food Safety and Hygiene Solutions Private Limited

 

India

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Eclab Export Limited

 

Ireland

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Co.

 

Ireland

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Finance Company Limited

 

Ireland

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab (Holdings) Limited

 

Ireland

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Limited

 

Ireland

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab JVZ Limited

 

Israel

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab-Zohar Dalia L.P.

 

Israel

 

51

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab-Zohar Dalia Management Company Ltd.

 

Israel

 

51

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Holding Italy Srl

 

Italy

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Production Italy Srl (formerly: Findesauno Srl)

 

Italy

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Srl

 

Italy

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Findesadue Srl

 

Italy

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Limited

 

Jamaica

 

100

 



 

Name of Affiliate

 

State or Other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation

 

Percentage
of
Ownership

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab K.K.

 

Japan

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab East Africa (Kenya) Limited

 

Kenya

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Korea Ltd.

 

Korea

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab SIA

 

Latvia

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab LUX 1 Sarl

 

Luxembourg

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab LUX 2 Sarl

 

Luxembourg

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab-Importacao E Exportacao Limitada

 

Macau

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Sdn Bhd

 

Malaysia

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Microtek Medical Malta Limited

 

Malta

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Microtek Medical Malta Holding Limited

 

Malta

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab, S. de R.L. de C.V.

 

Mexico

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Holdings Mexico, S.A. de C.V.

 

Mexico

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Maroc S. A.

 

Morocco

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Finance N.V.

 

Netherlands Antilles (Curacao)

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolabone B.V.

 

Netherlands

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolabtwo B.V.

 

Netherlands

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Holdings B.V.

 

Netherlands

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab B.V.

 

Netherlands

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab NL 3 BV

 

Netherlands

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab NL 4 BV

 

Netherlands

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab NL 5 BV

 

Netherlands

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Production Netherlands BV

 

Netherlands

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Microtek Medical Holding BV

 

Netherlands

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Microtek Medical BV

 

Netherlands

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Limited

 

New Zealand

 

100

 



 

Name of Affiliate

 

State or Other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation

 

Percentage
of
Ownership

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Nicaragua, S.A.

 

Nicaragua

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab A/S

 

Norway

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab S.A.

 

Panama

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Chemicals Ltd.

 

People’s Republic of China

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab China Ltd.

 

People’s Republic of China

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab (China) Investment Co., Ltd.

 

People’s Republic of China

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab (GZ) Chemicals Limited

 

People’s Republic of China

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Guangzhou Green Harbour Environmental Operations

 

People’s Republic of China

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Guangzhou Green Harbour Termite

 

People’s Republic of China

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Perú Holdings S.R.L.

 

Peru

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Philippines Inc.

 

Philippines

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Production Poland Sp. z o.o.

 

Poland

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Sp. z o.o.

 

Poland

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab S.R.L.

 

Romania

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

ZAO Ecolab

 

Russia

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Hygiene d.o.o.

 

Serbia

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Pte. Ltd.

 

Singapore

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab s.r.o.

 

Slovakia

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab d.o.o.

 

Slovenia

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab (Proprietary) Ltd.

 

South Africa

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Hispano-Portuguesa, S.A.

 

Spain

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab (St. Lucia) Limited

 

St. Lucia

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab AB

 

Sweden

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab CH 1 GmbH

 

Switzerland

 

100

 



 

Name of Affiliate

 

State or Other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation

 

Percentage
of
Ownership

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab CH 2 GmbH

 

Switzerland

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Europe GmbH

 

Switzerland

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab (Schweiz) GmbH

 

Switzerland

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Ltd.

 

Taiwan

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab East Africa (Tanzania) Limited

 

Tanzania

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Ltd.

 

Thailand

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab (Trinidad & Tobago) Limited

 

Trinidad & Tobago

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Temizleme Sistemleri Limited Sirketi

 

Turkey

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab East Africa (Uganda) Limited

 

Uganda

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab LLC

 

Ukraine

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Emirates General Trading LLC

 

UAE

 

49

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Gulf FZE

 

UAE

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Limited

 

United Kingdom

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab (U.K.) Holdings Limited

 

United Kingdom

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Microtek Medical Europe, Ltd.

 

United Kingdom

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Shield Holdings Limited

 

United Kingdom

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Shield Medicare Limited

 

United Kingdom

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Shield Salvage Associates Limited

 

United Kingdom

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab S. A.

 

Uruguay

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab S.A.

 

Venezuela

 

74

 

 

 

 

 

United States

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolabeight Inc.

 

Delaware

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab AP Holdings LLC

 

Delaware

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab USA Inc.

 

Delaware

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Holdings Inc.

 

Delaware

 

100

 



 

Name of Affiliate

 

State or Other
Jurisdiction of
Incorporation

 

Percentage
of
Ownership

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Holdings (Europe) Inc.

 

Delaware

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Investment LLC

 

Delaware

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Israel Holdings LLC

 

Delaware

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Manufacturing Inc.

 

Delaware

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecovation, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

GCS Service, Inc.

 

Delaware

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Krofta Technologies, LLC

 

Delaware

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Microtek Medical Inc.

 

Delaware

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Total Enterprise Control LLC

 

Delaware

 

60

 

 

 

 

 

Wabasha Leasing LLC

 

Delaware

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Microtek Medical Holdings Inc.

 

Georgia

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Kay Chemical Company

 

North Carolina

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Kay Chemical International, Inc.

 

North Carolina

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

Ecolab Food Safety Specialties Inc. (formerly: Daydots Inc.)

 

Texas

 

100

 

Certain additional subsidiaries, which are not significant in the aggregate, are not shown.

 


EXHIBIT (24)

 

POWER OF ATTORNEY

 

KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS , That the undersigned, a director of Ecolab Inc., a Delaware corporation, does hereby make, nominate and appoint LAWRENCE T. BELL and MICHAEL C. McCORMICK, and each of them, to be my attorney-in-fact, with full power and authority to sign his name to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ecolab Inc. for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2009, and all amendments thereto, provided that the Annual Report and any amendments thereto, in final form, be approved by said attorney-in-fact; and his name, when thus signed, shall have the same force and effect as though I had manually signed said document.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF , I have hereunto affixed my signature this 26th day of February, 2010.

 

 

 

/s/Barbara J. Beck

 

 

Barbara J. Beck

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Les S. Biller

 

 

Les S. Biller

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Richard U. De Schutter

 

 

Richard U. De Schutter

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Jerry A. Grundhofer

 

 

Jerry A. Grundhofer

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Joel W. Johnson

 

 

Joel W. Johnson

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Jerry W. Levin

 

 

Jerry W. Levin

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Robert L. Lumpkins

 

 

Robert L. Lumpkins

 

 

 

 

 

/s/C. Scott O’Hara

 

 

C. Scott O’Hara

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Beth M. Pritchard

 

 

Beth M. Pritchard

 

 

 

 

 

/s/Victoria J. Reich

 

 

Victoria J. Reich

 

 

 

 

 

/s/John J. Zillmer

 

 

John J. Zillmer

 


EXHIBIT (31)

 

CERTIFICATIONS
 

I, Douglas M. Baker, Jr., certify that:

 

1.                                        I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Ecolab Inc.;

 

2.                                        Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.                                        Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.                                        The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)                                   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)                                  Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)                                   Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 



 

(d)                                  Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.                                        The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)                                   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)                                  Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Date: February 26, 2010

 

 

/s/Douglas M. Baker, Jr.

 

 

Douglas M. Baker, Jr.

 

 

Chairman of the Board, President and

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 



 

I, Steven L. Fritze, certify that:

 

1.                                        I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of Ecolab Inc.;

 

2.                                        Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.                                        Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.                                        The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)                                   Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)                                  Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)                                   Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 



 

(d)                                  Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.                                        The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)                                   All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)                                  Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Date: February 26, 2010

 

 

/s/Steven L. Fritze

 

 

Steven L. Fritze

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 


EXHIBIT (32)

 

SECTION 1350 CERTIFICATIONS

 

Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, each of the undersigned officers of Ecolab Inc. does hereby certify that:

 

(a)                                   the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ecolab Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2009 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

 

(b)                                  information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Ecolab Inc.

 

 

Dated: February 26, 2010

 

/s/Douglas M. Baker, Jr.

 

 

Douglas M. Baker, Jr.

 

 

Chairman of the Board, President and

 

 

Chief Executive Officer

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dated: February 26, 2010

 

/s/Steven L. Fritze

 

 

Steven L. Fritze

 

 

Chief Financial Officer