Ecolab Inc.
Industry: Personal & Household Prods.

Ecolab Inc. is engaged in the development and marketing of products and services for the hospitality, institutional and industrial markets. The Company provides cleaning, sanitizing, pest elimination, maintenance and repair products, systems and services primarily to hotels and restaurants, foodservice, healthcare and educational facilities, quick-service (fast food and other convenience store) units, grocery stores, commercial and institutional laundries, light industry, dairy plants and farms, food and beverage processors, pharmaceutical and cosmetics facilities and the vehicle wash industry.

Business Summary
Ecolab Inc. develops and markets products and services for the hospitality, foodservice, institutional and industrial markets. The Company provides cleaning, sanitizing, pest elimination, maintenance and repair products, systems and services primarily to hotels and restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities, quick-service (fast-food and other convenience store) units, grocery stores, commercial and institutional laundries, light industry, dairy plants and farms, food and beverage processors, pharmaceutical and cosmetics facilities and the vehicle wash industry. The Company operates in three segments: United States Cleaning and Sanitizing Segment, United States Other Services Segment and International Segment.

Financial Summary
For the nine months ended 30 September 2005, Ecolab Inc.'s sales for the period increased 9% to $3.39B. Net income for the period increased 11% to $265M. Revenues reflect higher sales in Ecolab's United States Cleaning & Sanitizing operations, led by Institutional, Food & Beverage and Kay. Earnings also reflect an increase in gross profit margins and the absence of $4.9M in special charges.