Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) will look for acquisitions. Daniel Schmechel, Chief Financial Officer said, ?We have continued and will continue to turn significant amounts of cash back to investors, both through dividends and through share repurchase, and we will continue to be guided by a very consistent set of financial objectives, including the EPS growth target that I've mentioned, our demonstrated ability to improve ROIC sequentially, even when we go through the setback temporarily of doing acquisitions. Our ability to drive returns on these acquisitions, I think, is very well demonstrated. And our cash flow priorities remain very much the same, which is we'll continue to, of course, make necessary investments in the business to grow the dividend in line with EPS growth, to make smart and accretive acquisitions and to do share repurchase really with what's left over and as a way to address and maintain the balance sheet where we want it to be?.
Ecolab Inc. specializes in the development and the marketing of cleaning and disinfection products and services. The activity is insured with hotels, restaurants, hospitals, schools, shops, commercial and industrial laundries, food factories, etc. The activity is organized around three areas:
- sale of wastewater treatment products;
- sale of cleaning and disinfection products and services: wash liquids, detergents, stain removers, disinfectants, soaps, deodorants, distributors of products, equipment (dishwasher, washer, etc.), cleaning services, training, etc.;
- pest control, repair and maintenance services: detection and elimination of rats services, and repair and maintenance of equipment of kitchen and refrigeration services.
Net sales are distributed geographically as follows: the United States (53%), Europe (21%), China (4.4%), Asia/Pacific (8.5%), Latin America (6.6%), India/Middle East/Africa (3.6%), and Canada (2.9%).