20th
consecutive annual dividend rate increase
Ecolab has paid dividends for 75 consecutive years
ST. PAUL, Minn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--
The Board of Directors of Ecolab Inc. today increased the company's
quarterly cash dividend by 14% to $0.20 per common share, to be paid
January 17, 2012, to shareholders of record at the close of business on
December 20, 2011. This results in a new indicated annual cash dividend
of a record $0.80 per share for 2012, and represents Ecolab's 20th
consecutive annual dividend rate increase. Ecolab has paid cash
dividends on its common stock for 75 consecutive years. Ecolab last
increased its dividend in December 2010.
Commenting on the increase, Douglas M. Baker, Jr., Ecolab's Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer said, "We are pleased to once again increase our
dividend and continue our strong cash dividend record following our
merger with Nalco. We have achieved this outstanding dividend record
through our excellent business model and strong financial position, and
we believe our recent actions have strengthened our growth prospects,
cash flow and ability to deliver superior shareholder returns going
forward."
With 2011 annualized sales of $11 billion and more than 38,000
employees, Ecolab Inc. (NYSE: ECL) is the global leader in water,
hygiene and energy technologies and services that provide and protect
clean water, safe food, abundant energy and healthy environments. Ecolab
delivers comprehensive programs and services to the food, energy,
healthcare, industrial and hospitality markets in more than 160
countries. More Ecolab news and information is available at www.ecolab.com.
Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains various "Forward-Looking Statements" within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
These forward-looking statements include statements concerning the
indicated annual cash dividend for 2012 and our outlook for further
growth. These statements, which represent Ecolab's expectations or
beliefs concerning various future events, are based on current
expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could
cause actual results to differ materially from those in such
forward-looking statements. We caution that undue reliance should not be
placed on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date
made. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise
any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events or otherwise.
More detailed information about risks and uncertainties that may affect
our operating results and business performance may be found in our and,
prior to December 1, 2011, Nalco's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including under Item 1A of reports filed on Form
10-K and Form 10-Q, and include the vitality of the markets we serve;
the impact of worldwide economic factors such as the worldwide economy,
credit markets, interest rates and foreign currency risk fluctuations in
raw material and delivered product costs; our ability to develop
competitive advantages through value, innovation and customer support;
restraints on pricing flexibility due to contractual obligations;
pressure on operations from consolidation of customers and vendors; our
ability to promptly and effectively integrate the businesses of Ecolab
and Nalco and to achieve the cost savings and synergies we anticipate
from the Nalco acquisition within the expected time frame or at all; the
Nalco acquisition may involve unexpected costs, unexpected liabilities
or unexpected delays; the ability to acquire other complementary
businesses and to effectively integrate such businesses; the costs and
effects of complying with laws and regulations relating to the
environment, including evolving climate change standards, and to the
manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and use of our products, as
well as to the conduct of our business generally, including employment
and labor laws; the occurrence of litigation or claims; acts of war,
terrorism or hostilities, natural or man-made disasters, water shortages
or severe weather conditions which impact our markets; our ability to
attract and retain high caliber management talent; and other risks or
uncertainties reported from time to time in our filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
(ECL-D)
Ecolab Inc.
Michael J. Monahan, 651-293-2809
Source: Ecolab Inc.
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