Item 1. Business
Item 1(a) General Development of Business
Except where the context otherwise requires, the terms "Company" and "Ecolab," as used herein, include Ecolab Inc. and its subsidiaries. Ecolab Inc. was incorporated as a Delaware corporation in 1924. The Company's fiscal year is the calendar year ending December 31.
The Company and Henkel KGaA of Düsseldorf, Germany ("Henkel"), each have a 50% economic interest in a joint venture which operates institutional and industrial cleaning and sanitizing businesses in Europe, and which is referred to hereafter as "Henkel-Ecolab." Strategic decisions concerning Henkel-Ecolab require the agreement of Henkel and the Company. Henkel has a tie-breaking vote on certain matters pertaining to continuation of business in the event mutual agreement is not reached. These include the appointment of Henkel-Ecolab senior executives and adoption of the annual business plan. The Company accounts for its interest in Henkel-Ecolab under the equity method of accounting and therefore does not consolidate the Henkel-Ecolab balance sheet accounts, revenues and expenses or cash flows. Financial statements of Henkel-Ecolab, as listed under Item 14.I(3). of Part IV hereof, are included as a part of this Report and a review of Henkel-Ecolab financial performance is found under the heading "Henkel-Ecolab" contained in the Financial Discussion which is incorporated from the Annual Report into Item 7 hereof. Except where Henkel-Ecolab is specifically referred to, the description of business in Part I does not include the business of Henkel-Ecolab.
On December 7, 2000, the Company announced that it has agreed to combine into its operations the 50% of the Henkel-Ecolab joint venture owned by Henkel. The transaction is scheduled to close January 2, 2002, subject to regulatory approvals in various jurisdictions. Following the closing of the transaction, the Company anticipates operating the business conducted by Henkel-Ecolab as a part of the Company's consolidated business operations.
During 2000, the Company continued to make business acquisitions which broadened its product and service offerings in line with its "Circle the Customer-Circle the Globe" strategy. In February 2000, the Company added to its Kay operations through the acquisition of Southwest Sanitary Distributing Company. In addition, the Company expanded the geographic coverage of its GCS commercial kitchen equipment parts and repair business with the acquisitions of ARR/CRS (June 2000), Stove Parts Supply (August 2000) and Peterson's Commercial Parts & Service (November
2000). In September 2000 the Company purchased Facilitec Corp. to introduce rooftop grease filter products and kitchen exhaust cleaning services to its Institutional operations. Outside the United States, the Company expanded its institutional cleaning and sanitizing operations in Latin America and Korea through acquisitions. Details of these acquisitions are found under the heading "Business Acquisitions and Divestitures" in Note 5, located on pages 39 and 40 of the Annual Report and incorporated into Item 8 hereof. During 2000, the Company divested Jackson MSC, which designed, manufactured and marketed dishwashing and customized machines for the food service industry. The purchaser of Jackson MSC will continue to supply dishmachines to the Company under a long-term supply arrangement.
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 46 and 47 of the Annual Report, is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 1(c) Narrative Description of Business
General: The Company is engaged in the development and marketing of premium 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 (fastfood 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. A strong commitment to customer support is a distinguishing characteristic of the Company. Additional information on the Company's business philosophy is found below under the heading "Additional Information-Competition" of this Item 1(c).
The following description of business is based upon the Company's three reportable segments ("segments") as reported in the Company's financial statements. However, the Company pursues a "Circle the Customer-Circle the Globe" strategy by providing products, systems and services which serve the Company's customer base, and does so on a global basis to meet the needs of its customer's various operations around the world. Therefore, one customer may utilize the services of all three of the segments. Thus, there is a degree of interdependence among the operating segments-particularly between the International Cleaning & Sanitizing and the United States Cleaning & Sanitizing businesses.
United States Cleaning & Sanitizing Segment
The "United States Cleaning & Sanitizing" segment is comprised of seven divisions which provide cleaning and sanitizing services to United States markets.
Institutional: The Institutional Division is the Company's 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 customers having smaller machines and laundry needs) and for general housekeeping functions, as well as dishwasher racks and related kitchen sundries to the foodservice, lodging, educational and healthcare industries and water filters to the foodservice industry. The Division also provides rooftop grease filter products and kitchen exhaust cleaning services for restaurants and other food service operations as well as pool and spa treatment programs for commercial and hospitality customers. The Institutional
Division also markets various chemical dispensing device systems, which are made available to customers, to dispense the Company's cleaners and sanitizers. The Institutional Division also markets, primarily to smaller and mid-size customer units, a program comprised of energy-efficient dishwashing machines, detergents, rinse additives and sanitizers, including full machine maintenance.
The Company believes it is the leading supplier of chemical warewashing products to institutions in the United States.
The Institutional Division sells its products and services primarily through Company-employed field sales and service personnel. However, the Company, to a significant degree, also utilizes independent, third-party foodservice distributors to market and sell its products to smaller accounts or accounts which purchase through food distributors and the Company provides the same service to accounts served by food distributors as to direct customers.
Kay: The Kay Division (which consists of certain wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company) supplies chemical cleaning and sanitizing products primarily to the quick-service restaurant industry. This includes traditional fast food restaurants but also other retail locations where "fast food" is prepared and served, such as convenience stores, airport and shopping center kiosks and other public venues typically serviced by national or regional restaurant chains. Kay also sells cleaning and sanitizing products, as well as remote monitoring services, to the food retail (i.e., grocery store) industry. Kay's products include specialty and general purpose hard surface cleaners, degreasers, sanitizers, polishes, hand care products and assorted cleaning tools and remote monitoring technology for refrigerators, freezers and cooking equipment. 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 primarily calls upon national and regional quick-service restaurant chains and franchisees, although the sales are made to distributors who supply the chain or franchisee's restaurants.
The Company believes that its 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.
Food & Beverage: The Food & Beverage Division addresses cleaning and sanitation at the start of the food chain to facilitate the production 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 as well as to pharmaceutical and cosmetic plants. The division also markets food irradiation services through an alliance with Ion Beam Applications (IBA). 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 the Company's field sales personnel. The Company believes that it is one of the leading suppliers of cleaning and sanitizing products to the dairy plant, dairy farm and beverage processor industries in the United States.
Textile Care: The Textile Care Division provides chemical laundry products and proprietary dispensing systems, as well as related services, to large institutional and commercial laundries and to certain smaller laundry operations. Typically these customers process a minimum of 1,000,000 pounds of linen each year and include free-standing laundry plants used by institutions such as hotels, restaurants and healthcare facilities as well as industrial, textile rental and shirt laundries. Products and services include laundry cleaning and specialty products and related dispensing equipment, which are marketed primarily through a Company-employed sales force and, to a lesser extent, through independent, third-party distributors. The Division's programs are designed to meet the customer's need for exceptional cleaning, while extending the useful life of linen and reducing the customer's overall operating cost. Textile Care offerings complement the Institutional Division's offerings to small-to-medium size on-premise laundry facilities. During 2000 the Textile Care Division also introduced a hand care program for commercial laundries.
Professional Products: The Professional Products Division provides a broad range of janitorial and infection prevention/health care offerings to the janitorial and medical markets in the United States. Its proprietary janitorial products (detergents, general purpose cleaners, carpet care, furniture polishes, disinfectants, floor care products, hand soaps and odor counteractants) are sold primarily under the brand name "Airkem," and proprietary infection prevention/health care products (skin care, disinfectants and instrument sterilants) are sold primarily under the "Huntington" brand name. These products are sold primarily through a network of independent, third-party distributors, supported by a Company-employed sales force.
The Division also sells certain specialty chemical products which are manufactured for third parties. These offerings include the manufacture of private label products and house brand products for third parties. They also include, through the Division's JaniSource operations, cleaning and sanitation products for the janitorial market, which are sold under brand names which are licensed for use from other companies. JaniSource products are sold through independent, third-party distributors.
Vehicle Care: The Company's Vehicle Care Division provides vehicle appearance products which include soaps, polishes, wheel and tire treatments and air fresheners. Products are sold to vehicle rental, fleet and consumer car wash and detail operations.
Water Care Services: The Water Care Services Division supplements the Company's "Circle the Customer-Circle the Globe" strategy by adding an offering which is critical to companies in the Company's customer base-water treatment programs. The Division provides water and wastewater treatment products, services and systems for commercial/institutional customers (hospitals, healthcare, commercial real estate, government, shopping malls and commercial laundries) and light industry (food and beverage accounts, textile mills, electronic parts/assembly plants and other industries). Water Care Services works closely with the Company's Institutional, Textile Care and Food & Beverage divisions to offer customized water care strategies to their accounts that have water care needs, primarily to treat water used in heating and cooling systems and manufacturing processes and to treat wastewater.
United States Other Services Segment
The "United States Other Services" segment is comprised of two business units: Pest Elimination and GCS Service. In general, both businesses provide service or equipment which can augment or extend the Company's product offering to its business customers as a part of the "Circle the Customer" approach.
Pest Elimination: The Pest Elimination Division provides services for the elimination and prevention of pests to 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 sales and service personnel. The Pest Elimination business acquires all of its insecticides and pesticides from third-party vendors.
GCS Service: GCS (which operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company) provides commercial kitchen parts and equipment repair services including parts distribution. GCS offers both chain account customers of the Company and equipment manufacturers the benefits of working with a single equipment repair service provider with a nationally based capability.
International Cleaning & Sanitizing Segment
The Company conducts business in approximately 40 countries outside of the United States through wholly-owned subsidiaries or, in the case of China, Israel and Venezuela, through majority-owned joint ventures with local partners. In other countries, selected products are sold by the Company's export operations to distributors, agents or licensees, although those sales are not significant in terms of the Company's overall sales. The largest International operations are located in Asia Pacific, Latin America and Canada with smaller operations in Africa. With limited exceptions, the Company does not currently conduct business directly in Europe. In that region, business is conducted by Henkel-Ecolab which is described in Item 1(a) hereof under the heading "General Development of Business."
In general, the businesses conducted internationally are similar to those conducted in the United States. The businesses which are similar to the United States' Institutional and Food & Beverage businesses, are the largest businesses in international operations. They are conducted at virtually all international locations, and compared to the United States, constitute a larger portion of the overall business. Kay has sales in a number of international locations. A significant portion of its international sales are to non-United States 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 independent, third-party distributors who serve these chains. The other businesses are conducted less extensively in international locations. However, in general, all of the businesses conducted in the United States are 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 International operations is lower than the profitability of businesses in the United States. This is due to lower International operating income margins caused by the difference in scale of International operations where operating locations are
smaller in size as well as to the additional cost of operating in numerous and diverse foreign jurisdictions. Proportionately larger investments in sales, administrative and technical personnel are also necessary in order to facilitate growth in International operations.
Additional Information
Competition: The Company's 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. Some of these large competitors have substantially greater assets and financial resources than the Company. Second, all of the Company's business units have numerous smaller regional or local competitors which focus on more limited geographies, product lines and/or end-user segments.
The Company's objective is to achieve a significant presence in each of its business markets. In general, competition is based on service, product performance and price. The Company believes it competes principally by providing superior value and differentiated products. Value is provided by state-of-the-art cleaning, sanitation and maintenance products and systems coupled with high customer support standards and dedication to customer satisfaction after the initial sale. This is made possible, in part, by the Company's significant on-going investment in training and technology development and by the Company's standard practice of advising customers on means to lower operating costs and comply with safety, environmental and sanitation regulations. In addition, the Company emphasizes its ability to uniformly provide a variety of related premium cleaning and sanitation services to its customers and to provide that level of service to multiple locations of chain customer organizations worldwide. This approach is succinctly stated in the Company's "Circle the Customer-Circle the Globe" strategy which is discussed above in this Item 1(c) under the heading "General."
Sales and Service: Products, systems and services are primarily marketed in domestic and international markets by Company-trained sales and service personnel who also advise and assist 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.
Customers and Classes of Service: The Company believes that its 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 the Company has a diverse customer base, and no customer or distributor constitutes 10 percent or more of the Company's consolidated revenues, the Company does have customers and independent, third-party distributors, the loss of which could have a negative effect on results of operations for the affected earnings periods. No material part of the Company's business is subject to renegotiation or termination at the election of a governmental unit. The Company sells two classes of products which each constitute 10 percent or more of its sales. Worldwide sales of warewashing products in 2000, 1999 and 1998 approximated 26, 27 and 28 percent, respectively, of the Company's consolidated net sales. In addition, the Company, through its Institutional and Textile Care businesses, sells laundry products and services to a broad range of laundry customers. Worldwide laundry sales in 2000, 1999 and 1998 approximated 11, 12 and 13 percent, respectively, of the Company's consolidated net sales.
Patents and Trademarks: The Company owns a number of patents and trademarks. While the Company has an active program to protect its intellectual property by filing for patents or trademarks, and pursuing legal action, when appropriate, to prevent infringement, Management does not believe that the Company's overall business is materially dependent on any individual patent or trademark.
Seasonality: The Company's business has little seasonality.
Working Capital: The Company has invested in the past, and will continue to invest in the future, in merchandising equipment consisting primarily of systems used by customers to dispense the Company's cleaning and sanitizing products. The Company, otherwise, has no unusual working capital requirements. The investment in merchandising equipment is discussed under the heading "Cash Flows" located on page 33 of the Annual Report and incorporated into Item 7 hereof.
Manufacturing and Distribution: The Company manufactures most of its products and related equipment in Company-owned manufacturing facilities. Some are also produced for the Company 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 the Company's manufacturing facilities is located in Item 2
Item 2. Properties
The Company's manufacturing facilities produce chemical products or equipment for all the Company's businesses, although the Pest Elimination Division, GCS and the Facilitec business purchase most of their products and equipment from outside suppliers. The Company's chemical production process consists primarily of blending and packaging powders and liquids and casting solids. The Company's equipment manufacturing operations consist primarily of producing chemical product dispensers and ejectors and other mechanical equipment (South Beloit, Illinois) and dishwasher racks and related sundries (Elk Grove Village, Illinois). The Company's philosophy is to manufacture products wherever an economic, process or quality assurance advantage exists or where proprietary manufacturing techniques dictate internal production processes. Currently, most products sold by the Company are manufactured at Company facilities.
The following chart profiles the Company's manufacturing facilities which are approximately 50,000 square feet or larger in size.
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 Cleaning & Sanitizing" segment. However, certain of the United States facilities do manufacture products for export and which are used by the International segment. The facilities having export involvement are marked with an asterisk(*).
ECOLAB OPERATIONS PLANT PROFILES
Additional smaller United States manufacturing facilities owned by the Company are located in North Kansas City, Missouri; Grand Forks, North Dakota and Memphis, Tennessee. The Company also owns or leases smaller international manufacturing facilities in Argentina, Australia, Costa Rica, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, People's Republic of China, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Singapore, South Korea, Tanzania and Thailand.
The Company believes its manufacturing facilities are in good condition and are adequate to meet existing production needs.
Most of the Company's manufacturing plants also serve as distribution centers. In addition, around the world, the Company operates distribution centers, all of which are leased, and utilizes various public warehouses to facilitate the distribution of its products and services. In the United States, the Company's sales associates are located in approximately 120 leased offices. Additional sales offices are located internationally.
The Company's corporate headquarters is comprised of three multi-storied buildings located adjacent to one another in downtown St. Paul, Minnesota. The main 19-story building was constructed to the Company's specifications and is leased through 2003. Thereafter, it is subject to multiple renewals at the Company's option. The second building is also subject to a long-term lease by the Company and the third building is owned. The corporate headquarters includes a state-of-the-art training center. The Company also owns a computer center in St. Paul and a research facility located in a suburb of St. Paul.
Item 3.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Proceedings arising under laws relating to protection of the environment are discussed at Item 1(c) above, under the heading "Environmental Considerations."
Distributor Litigation: As previously reported in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999, ten distributors of the Company's Airkem Janitorial product line (a unit of the Professional Products Division) brought action in 1995 against the Company in Hennepin County District Court, Minnesota alleging 16 causes of action including anti-trust violations, breach of contract and breach of the Minnesota Franchise Act. As also reported in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999, the Company reached settlement with eight of the distributors on a basis which was not adversely material to the Company and a $29,000 judgment was entered against the Company following a trial on one other case.
The single remaining distributor case was settled during 2000 on terms which were not material to the Company.
Lubricant Litigation: Diversey Lever, Inc. filed suit against the Company in Federal District Court, Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division on July 1, 1996. The suit alleges that two Company products, which lubricate plastic beverage bottles, infringe two patents held by Diversey Lever.
In 1998 the District Court found that the Company had infringed the two patents held by Diversey Lever. In 1999, the Federal Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the Company on its appeal.
The case has been remanded back to the District Court for a trial on past damages. A trial date has not been set. Diversey-Lever has requested damages for the infringement in a range of $3,000,000 to $5,000,000 and is requesting that damages be enhanced up to three times if willful infringement is found. Diversey-Lever has requested additional damages based on new theories. The Company has filed a motion to strike such new damage theories, but no ruling has been made on that motion.
The Company has accrued its best estimate of its potential liability.
Other Litigation: The Company and certain of its subsidiaries are defendants in various other lawsuits and claims arising out of the normal course of business. Accruals have been established reflecting management's best estimate of probable future costs relating to such matters.
The estimated effects of the future results of existing litigation is subject to certain estimates, assumptions and uncertainties and should be considered in light of the discussion of Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Factors found under Part I at the beginning of this Report.
Item 4.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
No matters were submitted to a vote of the security holders, through the solicitation of proxies, or otherwise, during the fourth quarter of 2000.
PART II
Item 5.
Item 5. Market for the Company's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
Item 5(a) Market Information
The Company's Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Pacific Exchange, Inc. 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 the Company's Common Stock on the consolidated transaction reporting system during 2000 and 1999 were as follows:
The closing stock price on February 23, 2001 was $41.27.
Item 5(b) Holders
On February 23, 2001, the Company had 5,388 holders of Common Stock of record.
Item 5(c) Dividends
The Company has paid common stock dividends for 64 consecutive years. Quarterly cash dividends of $0.105 per share were paid in January, April, July and October of 1999. Dividends of $0.12 per share were paid in January, April, July and October 2000.
Item 6.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The comparative data for the years ended December 31, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1997 and 1996 inclusive, which are set forth under the heading entitled "Summary Operating and Financial Data" located on pages 50 and 51 of the Annual Report, are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
The material appearing under the heading entitled "Financial Discussion," located on pages 24 through 49 of the Annual Report, is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 7(a) Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
The material appearing under the heading entitled "Market Risk," located on page 33 of the Annual Report, is incorporated herein by reference.
Item 8.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The financial statements and material which are an integral part of the financial statements listed under Item 14.I(1). below and located on pages 34 through 49 of the Annual Report, are filed as a part of this Report and are incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
PART III
Item 10.
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Company
The biographical material regarding directors and the paragraph relating to understandings concerning the election of directors between Henkel KGaA and the Company located in the Proxy Statement appearing under the heading entitled "Election of Directors," is incorporated herein by reference. Information regarding executive officers is presented under the heading "Executive Officers of the Company" in Part I of this Report on pages 12 through 14.
Item 11.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The material appearing under the heading entitled "Executive Compensation" located in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference. However, pursuant to Securities and Exchange Commission Regulation S-K, Item 402(a)(9), the material appearing under the headings entitled "Report of the Compensation Committee on Executive Compensation" and "Comparison of Five Year Cumulative Total Return" located in the Proxy Statement is not incorporated herein.
Item 12.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The material appearing under the headings entitled "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners" and "Security Ownership of Management" located in the Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference. The holdings of Henkel KGaA and HC Investments, Inc. are subject to certain limitations with respect to the Company's voting securities as more fully described in the Company's Proxy Statement under the heading "Stockholder Agreement," which is incorporated herein by reference.
A total of 687,085 shares of Common Stock held by the Company's current directors and executive officers, some of whom may be affiliates of the Company, have been excluded from the computation of market value of the Company's Common Stock on the cover page of this Report. This total represents that portion of the shares reported as beneficially owned by directors and executive officers of the Company as of February 23, 2001, which are actually issued and outstanding.
Item 13.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The material appearing under the headings entitled "Certain Transactions," "Stockholder Agreement" and "Company Transactions" located in the Proxy Statement and the biographical material located in the Proxy Statement appearing under the heading entitled "Election of Directors" pertaining to Messrs. Stefan Hamelmann and Ulrich Lehner, is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV
Item 14.
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statements, Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K
(iv)
Third Declaration of Amendment to Ecolab Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, effective March 1, 1998-Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)K(iv) of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1998.
M.
(i)
Ecolab Mirror Savings Plan, as amended and restated effective September 1, 1994-Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)N of the Company's 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1994. See also Exhibit (10)O hereof.
(ii)
First Declaration of Amendment to Ecolab Mirror Savings Plan effective as of January 1, 1995-Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)N(ii) of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1995.
(iii)
Second Declaration of Amendment to Ecolab Mirror Savings Plan effective January 1, 1997-Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)O(iii) of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1996.
(iv)
Third Declaration of Amendment to Ecolab Mirror Savings Plan effective November 13, 1997-Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)L(iv) of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1998.
(v)
Fourth Declaration of Amendment to Ecolab Mirror Savings Plan, effective September 1, 1998-Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)L(v) of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1998.
N.
(i)
Ecolab Mirror Pension Plan effective July 1, 1994-Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)O(i) of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994. See also Exhibit (10)O hereof.
(ii)
First Declaration of Amendment to Ecolab Mirror Pension Plan effective as of July 1, 1994-Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)O(ii) of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994.
(iii)
Second Declaration to Amendment to Ecolab Mirror Pension Plan effective as of July 1, 1994-Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)O(iii) of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1995.
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)B.
Ecolab Inc. 1977 Stock Incentive Plan.
(10)C.
Ecolab Inc. 1993 Stock Incentive Plan.
(10)D.
Amended and Restated Ecolab Inc. 1997 Stock Incentive Plan.
(10)E.
1988 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan.
(10)F.
1995 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan.
(10)G.
Ecolab Inc. 1997 Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan.
(10)I.
Ecolab Executive Death Benefits Plan.
(10)J.
Ecolab Executive Long-Term Disability Plan.
(10)K.
Ecolab Executive Financial Counseling Plan.
(10)L.
Ecolab Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan.
(10)M.
Ecolab Mirror Savings Plan.
(10)N.
Ecolab Mirror Pension Plan.
(10)O.
The Ecolab Inc. Administrative Document for Non-Qualified Benefit Plans.
(10)P.
1999 Ecolab Inc. Management Performance Incentive Plan.
(10)R.
Ecolab Management Incentive Plan.
(10)S.
Summary of Severance Arrangement for L. White Matthews, III.
(10)T.
Hiring letter for Bruno Deschamps.
III.Reports on Form 8-K:
The Company filed two Current Reports on Form 8-K during the quarter ended December 31, 2000. (i) Report of the Company's third quarter financial results (filed October 23, 2000). (ii) Announcement of (a) a transaction with Henkel KGaA scheduled to close January 2, 2002; (b) certain management changes and special one-time credits and charges to fourth quarter results; and (c) declaration of an increased quarterly cash dividend and a new stock repurchase program.
In addition, subsequent to the quarter ended December 31, 2000, the Company filed two Current Reports on Form 8-K: (i) on January 15, 2001, to furnish certain information pursuant to Regulation FD; and (ii) on January 24, 2001, to report the Company's sale of $150,000,0000 aggregate principal amount of its 6.875% Notes due February 1, 2011.
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 6th day of March, 2001.
ECOLAB INC.
(Registrant)
By:
/s/ ALLAN L. SCHUMAN Allan L. Schuman, Chairman of the Board 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 6th day of March, 2001.
/s/ ALLAN L. SCHUMAN Allan L. Schuman
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer and Director)
/s/ L. WHITE MATTHEWS, III L. White Matthews, III
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer and Director)
/s/ STEVEN L. FRITZE Steven L. Fritze
Vice President and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ KENNETH A. IVERSON Kenneth A. Iverson
as attorney-in-fact for
Les S. Biller, Ruth S. Block, Jerry A. Grundhofer, James J. Howard, William L. Jews, Joel W. Johnson, Jerry W. Levin, Robert L. Lumpkins and Hugo Uyterhoeven
Directors
Directors not signing:
Stefan Hamelmann
Ulrich Lehner
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
ON FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE
To the Shareholders and Directors of Ecolab Inc.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements referred to in our report dated February 14, 2001 appearing in the 2000 Annual Report to Shareholders of Ecolab Inc. (which report and consolidated financial statements are incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K) also included an audit of the financial statement schedule listed in Item 14.I(2).(i) of this Form 10-K. In our opinion, this financial statement schedule presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related consolidated financial statements.
/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
February 14, 2001
CONSENT OF PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP
TO INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements of Ecolab Inc. on Form S-8 (Registration Nos. 2-60010; 2-74944; 33-1664; 33-41828; 2-90702; 33-18202; 33-55986; 33-56101; 333-95043; 33-26241; 33-34000; 33-56151; 333-18627; 33-39228; 33-56125; 333-70835; 33-60266; 333-95041; 33-65364; 33-59431; 333-18617; 333-79449; 333-21167; 333-35519; 333-40239; 333-95037; 333-50969; and 333-62183) and Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-14771) of our report dated February 14, 2001 relating to the consolidated financial statements of Ecolab Inc. as of December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 and for the years then ended, which appears in the Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated by reference in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. We also consent to the inclusion in this Annual Report on Form 10-K of our report dated February 14, 2001 relating to the financial statement schedule of Ecolab Inc. as of December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998 and for the years then ended, which also appears in this Form 10-K.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Minneapolis, Minnesota
March 6, 2001
SCHEDULE II-VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
ECOLAB INC.
(In Thousands)
(A)Includes the effects of changes in currency translation.
(B)Uncollectible accounts charged off, net of recovery of accounts previously written off.
[PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS GMBH LETTERHEAD]
Report of Independent Accountants
To the Board of Directors and Shareholders
of Henkel-Ecolab
In our opinion, the combined financial statements listed in the index appearing under Item 14.I(3). of this Form 10-K present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Henkel-Ecolab at November 30, 2000 and 1999 and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended November 30, 2000 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the index appearing under Item 14.I(4). of this Form 10-K presents fairly, in all material respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related combined financial statements. These financial statements and financial statement schedule are the responsibility of Henkel-Ecolab's management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes 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. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers
Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung
Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft
PricewaterhouseCoopers
Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung
Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft
Düsseldorf, Germany
January 26, 2001
Henkel Ecolab
Combined Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income
(Thousands DM)
See accompanying Notes to Combined Financial Statements
Henkel Ecolab
Combined Balance Sheets
(Thousands DM)
See accompanying Notes to Combined Financial Statements
Henkel Ecolab
Combined Statements of Cash Flows
(Thousands DM)
See accompanying Notes to Combined Financial Statements
Henkel Ecolab
Combined Statements of Equity
(Thousands DM)
See accompanying Notes to Combined Financial Statements
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS
Henkel-Ecolab (the "Company" or the "Joint Venture") is a leading European company providing total cleaning and hygiene systems and service solutions to institutional and industrial companies. See Basis of Presentation within Note 2 of the combined financial statements. The Company's offerings include detergents, sanitation cleaners, dosing and measuring equipment, cleaning machines, training and service. Customers include hotels and restaurants; food service, healthcare and educational facilities; commercial laundries; light industry; dairy plants and farms as well as food and beverage processors throughout Europe.
The Company was formed in 1991 by Henkel KGaA (Henkel) and Ecolab, Inc. (Ecolab) as a joint venture of their respective European institutional and industrial hygiene businesses. Under the terms of the Amended and Restated Joint Venture Agreement dated June 26, 1991 (Joint Venture Agreement), Henkel and Ecolab have joint control over the activities of the Joint Venture. The Joint Venture Agreement also provides that both partners will share an equal economic interest in the profits or losses of the Joint Venture.
Acquisitions and Divestiture
Gibson Acquisition: In May 1999, the Company acquired certain assets of Gibson UK Limited for a cash price of approximately TDM 16,089 from Ecolab. Gibson, located in Reading, England, provides warewashing and surface hygiene products and services for customers in the retail markets. The acquisition has been accounted for as a purchase and, accordingly, the results of operations of Gibson are included in the accompanying financial statements since the date of acquisition. The purchase price has been allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the fair value at the date of acquisition. The excess of purchase price over the fair market value of net assets acquired has been allocated to goodwill in the amount of TDM 17,658 and is being amortized over 15 years.
Darenas Acquisition: In February 1998, the Company acquired certain assets of ISS-Darenas Limited (Darenas) for a cash price of TDM 23,334. Darenas, located in Birmingham, England, provides janitorial products and services for contract and building cleaning as well as the catering industries. The acquisition of Darenas was recorded under the purchase method of accounting, and accordingly, the results of operations of Darenas for the period from February 1, 1998 are included in the accompanying financial statements. The purchase price has been allocated to assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on the fair value at the date of acquisition. The excess of purchase price over fair value of the assets and liabilities has been allocated to goodwill in the amount of TDM 17,302 and is being amortized over 15 years.
The Company made additional acquisitions during the fiscal years ended November 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998; the impact of which was immaterial to the combined financial statements.
Waldhausen Divestiture: In June 2000, the Company divested the assets of the Floordress textile and equipment production facility in Waldhausen, Germany in two separate but related transactions for a price equal to the net book value of approximately TDM 4.400. Inno Concept, a current supplier of plastics to the plant, assumed responsibility of the textile and equipment production (including substantially all the employees and the current production building for textiles). The Company also entered into a long-term supply agreement for textiles and equipment with Inno Concept. Grupp, a current metal supplier, purchased the equipment production building in a real-estate transaction. As both transactions were for a price equal to the net book value, no gain or loss was recorded on the books for the sale of the assets related to Waldhausen.
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The financial statements are presented on a combined basis in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. The Joint Venture is comprised of various entities. These entities have varying legal structures, including stock corporations, limited liability corporations and partnerships formed under the applicable laws in the jurisdictions in which the Joint Venture operates. These entities are owned beneficially by identical shareholders or their wholly- owned subsidiaries and are, therefore, considered entities under common control. All significant intergroup or affiliated company accounts and transactions have been eliminated in combination. The Joint Venture's fiscal year end has been designated as November 30.
Foreign Currency Translation
The accounts of all foreign subsidiaries and affiliates are generally measured using the local currency as the functional currency, except for three countries where, due to hyperinflation, the functional currency (for one country since 1994 and two beginning in 1998) has been changed to the German Mark. With the exception of the hyperinflation countries, assets and liabilities are translated into German Marks, the Company's reporting currency, at period-end exchange rates. Income statement accounts are translated to German Marks at the average rates of exchange prevailing during the year.
Net unrealized exchange gains or losses resulting from such translation are excluded from net earnings and accumulated in a separate component of combined equity. Gains and losses arising from foreign currency transactions during the year are included in the related income statement category.
The Joint Venture enters into foreign currency forward and option contracts to hedge specific foreign currency exposures. Gains and losses on these contracts are deferred and recognized as part of the specific transaction hedged or included in Other Expenses/Income, net, principally interest expense. The cash flows from such contracts are classified in the same category as the transaction hedged in the Combined Statements of Cash Flows.
Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents are highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less when purchased.
Inventories
Inventories are stated at the lower of cost or market with cost determined using the first-in first-out and average cost methods.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Property, plant and equipment are stated at historical cost. Merchandising equipment consists primarily of various systems for dispensing cleaning and sanitizing products. Depreciation and amortization are charged to operations using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over a period, which is the lesser of the useful life of the asset or the remaining term of the associated lease. Betterment, renewals and extraordinary repairs that extend the life of the asset are capitalized; other repairs and maintenance costs are expensed. The cost and accumulated depreciation/amortization applicable to the assets retired or disposed of are removed from the accounts and any gain or loss is reflected in the Company's net income in the year of disposal.
Total depreciation expense for property, plant and equipment amounted to TDM 69,926, TDM 565,083 and TDM 60,948 for the years ended November 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets primarily consist of goodwill, capitalized software, concessions and licenses. These assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over their estimated lives, periods from 3 to 15 years. Total amortization expense for all intangible assets amounted to TDM 16,125, TDM 22,603 and TDM 13,586 during the years ended November 30, 2000, 1999, 1998, respectively.
In accordance with SOP 98-1, the Company capitalizes costs associated with purchased software for internal use which is ready for service and external development costs incurred from the time technological feasibility of the software is established until the software is ready for use to provide processing for internal purposes.
The software development costs and costs of purchased software are amortized using the straight-line method over a maximum of three to five years or the expected life of the product, whichever is less. The carrying value of a software and development asset is regularly reviewed by the Company and a loss is recognized if the unamortized cost is in excess of the net realizable value.
Long-Lived Assets
The company periodically assesses the recoverability of long-lived and intangible assets based on anticipated future earnings and operating cash flows.
Advertising Costs
The Company expenses the production costs of advertising in the period in which the costs are incurred. Advertising expenses were TDM 41,255, TDM 38,504 and TDM 35,696 for the years ended November 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the dates of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results may differ from those estimates.
New Accounting Pronouncements
On June 16, 1998 the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (FAS) No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." FAS 133 establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, (collectively referred to as derivatives) and for hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position and measure those instruments at fair value.
If certain conditions are met, a derivative may be specifically designated as (a) a hedge of the exposure to changes in the fair value of a recognized asset or liability or an unrecognized firm commitment, (b) a hedge of the exposure to variable cash flows of a forecasted transaction, or (c) a hedge of the foreign currency exposure of a net investment in a foreign operation, an unrecognized firm commitment, and available-for-sale security, or a foreign-currency-denominated forecasted transaction.
Management will adopt FAS 133 in the first quarter of the fiscal year ended November 30, 2001 and expects the impact on the combined financial statements to be immaterial.
Revenue Recognition
Substantially all revenue is recognized at the time title transfers to the customer or distributor.
Reclassification
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to current year presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income or combined equity.
3. BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION
4. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
The Joint Venture has entered into various contractual arrangements, including those discussed in the following paragraphs, for the supply of products, the performance of general and administrative services and the transfer of technology.
Certain Joint Venture entities purchase institutional and industrial hygiene products (primarily finished goods inventories) from Henkel and its subsidiaries under a variety of supply agreements. The terms of these agreements allow these entities to purchase specified quantities at agreed upon prices as defined by an annual supply plan submitted to the related manufacturing facility. Henkel also provides certain Joint Venture entities with elective services, which include, but are not limited to, general administration, payroll administration, accounting and research and development. The costs of services are charged by Henkel on a monthly basis and may not reflect the costs, which the Joint Venture would incur if it were necessary to procure such services from outside sources or if such services were performed internally by the Joint Venture. Related party purchases and fees incurred by the Joint Venture in consideration for these services totaled TDM 178,525, TDM 231,754 and TDM 227,768 for the years ended November 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
Royalty payments are shared equally by both parent companies based upon a technology transfer agreement, which provides for the payment of royalties as a percentage of third party sales. Effective January 1, 1999 the parent companies agreed to reduce the royalty paid by the Joint Venture from 2% to 1% of net sales (as defined). Royalty expense related to this technology transfer agreement amounted to TDM 14,580, TDM 14,959 and TDM 26,568 during the years ended November 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
The Joint Venture has entered into agreements with Henkel under which the Joint Venture can both borrow from and lend to Henkel both on an overdraft basis and through short term loans of no more than 3 months. There is currently no maximum level of borrowing specified under these agreements. The interest rate basis for both arrangements is the Euro London Interbank Offering Rate (EURO-LIBOR). At November 30, 2000, the interest rates were 5.125% for German Mark overdrafts and 5.25% for 3 month short term German Mark loans. On overdrafts, approximately 0.5 percentage points are paid to compensate Henkel for administration costs.
At November 30, 2000 and 1999, loans receivable from Henkel and its subsidiaries totaled TDM 11,811 and TDM 10,152, respectively. The fair values of related party loans receivable and payable approximate book value.
The Joint Venture charges the parents for certain costs incurred on behalf of the parents, which by their nature are not arm's length. The Joint Venture has reflected such costs, net of tax, in the amount of TDM 747, TDM 1,381 and TDM 1,670 as contributed capital for the years ended November 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
5. INCOME TAXES
The components of income before income taxes and the provision for income taxes for the years ended November 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively, are as follows:
The components of the Joint Venture's overall net deferred tax asset at November 30:
At November 30, 2000 and 1999, the Joint Venture had net foreign operating loss carry forwards for tax purposes of approximately TDM 9,799 and TDM 10,233, respectively. A significant portion of these losses has an indefinite carry forward period; the remaining losses have expiration dates up to five years.
In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities and projected future taxable income in making this assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not the Joint Venture will realize the benefits of these deductible differences, net of the existing valuation allowances at November 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998. During 2000, 1999 and 1998, the valuation allowance increased/(decreased) by TDM (1,357), TDM (10,336) and TDM (3,757), respectively.
A reconciliation of the weighted average European effective tax rate to the effective income tax rate is as follows:
The deferred taxes refundable to parent reflect the Joint Venture Agreement in which the partners also agreed that all tax benefits realized after the formation of the Joint Venture should be refunded to the respective parents if the benefits relate to temporary differences that originated in periods prior to the formation of the Joint Venture.
Cash paid for taxes for the years ended November 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998 was TDM 62,239, TDM 51,980 and TDM 35,897, respectively.
6. PENSION AND OTHER BENEFIT PLANS
Henkel Ecolab sponsors several pension plans for its employees throughout Europe including Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, Turkey, Greece, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Austria, Slovenia, Norway, Switzerland and Ireland.
The following tables provide a reconciliation of the changes in the plans benefit obligations and fair value of assets over the two year period ended November 30, 2000 and 1999 and a statement of the funded status as of November 30, 2000 and 1999 with the exception of the Italian termination indemnity plan:
The following table provides the amounts recognized in the statement of financial position as of November 30, 2000 and 1999:
Included within the Employee Benefit Obligations in the balance sheet is the Italian termination indemnity plan, which provides a benefit that is payable upon termination of employment virtually in all cases of termination. This plan has no assets and is not included within the pension disclosures provided within this footnote with the exception of the information provided above.
The following table provides the components of net periodic pension cost for the plans for the fiscal years ended November 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998:
Pursuant to the provisions of Statement Of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87 "Employer's Accounting for Pensions", the Company has recorded an additional pension liability adjustment of TDM 4,479 and TDM 5,012 as of November 30, 2000 and 1999, respectively, representing the amount by which the accumulated benefit obligation over the fair value of plan assets exceeded the accrued pension liability for certain German pension plans.
The accumulated benefit obligation for these German plans was TDM 104,253 at November 30, 2000 and TDM 97,107 at November 30, 1999.
The following amounts, net of tax, have been included within other comprehensive income arising from a change in the additional minimum pension liability for the year ended November 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively TDM (106), TDM 557 and TDM (527).
The assumptions used in the measurement of the Company`s benefit obligation are shown in the following table:
7. TOTAL INDEBTEDNESS
Short Term Debt
Short-term debt payable to banks of TDM 13,388 and TDM 47,430 at November 30, 2000 and 1999, respectively, consists primarily of short-term credit facilities and bank overdrafts. The weighted average interest rate on short-term debt outstanding (in all borrowing entities across Europe) was 6.0% at November 30, 2000 and 6.5% at November 30, 1999.
At November 30, 2000, the Company had TDM 140,813 available through multiple bank lines of credit under which the Company may borrow on an overdraft or short-term basis. Interest rates are based on local money market rates.
Long Term Debt
Long term debt at November 30, 2000 and 1999 consists of the following:
The note is denominated in Danish Krona at a fixed annual interest rate of 10.07% at November 30, 2000. As of November 30, 2000, the aggregate annual maturities of long term debt were:
- TDM 164 2002 - TDM 3.944
The fair value of short and long term debt approximates the book value.
8. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS AND RISK MANAGEMENT
The Joint Venture operates internationally, giving market risks, which exposes it to changes in interest rates and foreign exchange rates. Derivative financial instruments are utilized by the Joint Venture to reduce certain of these risks. The Joint Venture does not hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. The Joint Venture is exposed to credit-related losses in the event of nonperformance by counterparties to financial instruments, but it does not expect any counterparties to fail to meet their obligations given their high credit ratings.
Notional Amounts and Credit Exposures of Derivatives
The notional amounts of derivatives summarized below do not represent amounts exchanged by the parties and, thus, are not a measure of the exposure of the Joint Venture through its use of derivatives. The amounts exchanged are calculated on the basis of the notional amounts and the other terms of the derivatives, which relate to exchange rates.
Foreign Exchange Risk Management
The Joint Venture enters into various types of foreign exchange contracts in managing its foreign exchange rate risks, as indicated in the following table (TDM):
The purpose of foreign exchange contracts and options purchased is to hedge various intercompany loans and hedge certain existing and anticipated future net foreign exchange exposures. The anticipated future foreign exchange exposure of the Joint Venture is the total of the net balances of all known and planned incoming and outgoing payments of the Joint Venture's companies in foreign currencies during a twelve month time horizon. Gains and losses arising from hedged loan transactions are accrued to income over the period of the hedge. The deferred gains and losses as of November 30, 2000 and 1999 were not material. Losses on hedges of anticipated exchange rate exposure are recorded as incurred whereas gains are deferred.
The table below summarizes by major currency the contractual amounts of the Joint Venture's forward exchange and option contracts in German Marks. Foreign currency amounts are translated at rates current at the reporting date. The "buy" amounts represent the German Marks equivalent of commitments to purchase foreign currencies, and the "sell" amounts represent the German Marks equivalent of commitments to sell foreign currencies:
Fair Value of Off Balance Sheet Financial Instruments
The difference between the fair value and contract value of off balance sheet financial instruments at November 30, 2000 and 1999 is not significant.
9. RESEARCH EXPENDITURES
Research expenditures which relate to the development of new products and processes, including significant improvements and refinements to existing products, were MDM 37.0, MDM 36.5 and MDM 34.6 for the years ended November 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
10. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Joint Venture has a number of operating lease agreements primarily involving motor vehicles, computer and other office equipment. The following is a schedule by year of the future minimum lease payments required under the operating leases that have initial or remaining noncancellable lease terms in excess of one year as of November 30, 2000:
Rent expense for the twelve month period ended November 30, 2000, 1999 and 1998, was approximately TDM 27,917, TDM 31,370 and TDM 31,369, respectively.
The Joint Venture is subject to lawsuits and claims arising out of the conduct of its business, including those relating to commercial transactions and environmental safety. Although the outcomes of such matters are unpredictable, management believes that the final disposition will not have a material adverse effect on the combined financial position or results of operations of the Joint Venture. As an integral part of the Joint Venture agreement, Henkel and Ecolab have provided certain representations and warranties against future expenditures related to lawsuits arising from operations prior to July 1,1991.
The Joint Venture's operations and customers are located throughout Europe and operate in the industrial and institutional hygiene business. No single customer accounted for a significant amount of the Joint Venture's sales in 2000, 1999 or 1998, and there were no significant accounts receivable from a single customer at November 30, 2000, 1999 or 1998. The Joint Venture establishes an allowance for doubtful accounts based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends and other information.
11. SUBSEQUENT EVENT
On December 8, 2000, Ecolab announced that it has agreed to acquire the 50% of the Company owned by Henkel. The transaction is scheduled to close January 2, 2002, subject to regulatory approvals in various jurisdictions.
Henkel Ecolab
Schedule-Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves
(Thousands)
(a)Provision for doubtful accounts (charged to expenses)
(b)Items determined to be uncollectible, less recovery of amounts previously written off.
EXHIBIT INDEX
The following documents are filed as exhibits to this Report.
Exhibit No.
Document
Method of Filing
(3)A.
Restated Certificate of Incorporation.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3) to the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 22, 1997.
B.
By-Laws, as amended through February 18, 1999.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3)B of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report, for the year ended December 31, 1998.
(4)A.
Common Stock.
See Exhibits (3)A and (3)B.
B.
Form of Common Stock Certificate.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)B of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1995.
C.
Rights Agreement dated as of February 24, 1996.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4) of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 24, 1996.
D.
Note Agreement dated as of October 1, 1991 relating to $100,000,000 9.68% Senior Notes Due October 1, 2001 between the Company and the insurance companies named therein.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)F of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1991.
E.
Amended and Restated Indenture, dated as of January 9, 2001, between Ecolab Inc. and Bank One, NA (formerly known as The First National Bank of Chicago) as Trustee.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)(A) of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 23, 2001.
F.
Officer's Certificate establishing terms and conditions of 6.875% Notes due February 1, 2011.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(B) of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 23, 2001.
G.
Form of 6.875% Note due February 2, 2011.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c) of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 23, 2001.
H.
Form of Underwriting Agreement.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 1 of the Company's Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3 filed November 15, 1996.
(9)
Amended and Restated Stockholder's Agreement.
See Exhibits (10)Q(v) and Q(vii) hereof.
(10)A.(i)
Multicurrency Credit Agreement ("Credit Agreement") dated as of September 29, 1993, as Amended and Restated as of December 13, 2000, among the Company, the financial institutions party thereto, Citicorp USA, Inc. as Administrative Agent, Citibank International Plc, as Euro-Agent and Bank One, NA and Credit Suisse First Boston as Co-Agents.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)A of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 23, 2001.
(ii)
Australian Dollar Local Currency Addendum to the Credit Agreement, dated October 17, 1997.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)B of the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1997.
(iii)
Australian Dollar Local Currency Addendum dated as of June 23, 1998 among Ecolab Finance PTY Limited, Ecolab Inc., Citibank, N.A., the Local Currency Agent named therein and the Local Currency Banks party thereto.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)B of the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998.
(10)B.
Ecolab Inc. 1977 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended through May 12, 2000.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)A of the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000.
C.
Ecolab Inc. 1993 Stock Incentive Plan.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)B of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1992.
D.(i)
Ecolab Inc. 1997 Stock Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated as of August 18, 2000.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) of the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2000.
(ii)
Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreement between the Company and Allan L. Schuman with respect to premium-priced option grant effective February 20, 1998 under the Ecolab Inc. 1997 Stock Incentive Plan. Similar option grants were made to each of the named executive officers of the Company covering varying, but smaller number of shares.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10) of the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998.
E.
1988 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan as amended through February 23, 1991.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)D of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1990.
F.(i)
1995 Non-Employee Director Stock Option Plan.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)D of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1994.
(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 the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.
G.
Ecolab Inc. 1997 Non-Employee Director Deferred Compensation Plan.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)F of the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1996.
H.
Form of Director Indemnification Agreement dated August 11, 1989. Substantially identical agreements are in effect as to each director of the Company.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (19)A of the Company's Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1989.
I.(i)
Ecolab Executive Death Benefits Plan, as amended and restated effective March 1, 1994.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)J of the Company's 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1994. See also Exhibit (10)O hereof.
(ii)
Amendment No. 1 to Ecolab Executive Death Benefits Plan.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)H(ii) of the Company's 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 the Company's 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1998.
J.
Ecolab Executive Long-Term Disability Plan, as amended and restated effective January 1, 1994.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)K of the Company's 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1994. See also Exhibit (10)O hereof.
K.
Ecolab Executive Financial Counseling Plan.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)K of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1992.
L.(i)
Ecolab Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, as amended and restated effective July 1, 1994.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)M(i) of the Company's 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1994. See also Exhibit (10)O hereof.
(ii)
First Declaration of Amendment to Ecolab Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan effective as of July 1, 1994.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)M(ii) of the Company's 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1994.
(iii)
Second Declaration of Amendment to Ecolab Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan effective as of July 1, 1994.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)M(iii) of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1995.
(iv)
Third Declaration of Amendment to Ecolab Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, effective March 1, 1998.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)M(iii) of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1998.
M.(i)
Ecolab Mirror Savings Plan, as amended and restated effective September 1, 1994.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)N of the Company's 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1994. See also Exhibit (10)O hereof.
(ii)
First Declaration of Amendment to Ecolab Mirror Savings Plan effective as of January 1, 1995.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)N(ii) of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1995.
(iii)
Second Declaration of Amendment to Ecolab Mirror Savings Plan effective January 1, 1997.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)O(iii) of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1996.
(iv)
Third Declaration of Amendment to Ecolab Mirror Savings Plan effective November 13, 1997.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)L(iv) of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1998.
(v)
Fourth Declaration of Amendment to Ecolab Mirror Savings Plan, effective September 1, 1998.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)L(v) of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1998.
N.(i)
Ecolab Mirror Pension Plan effective July 1, 1994.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)O(i) of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994. See also Exhibit (10)O hereof.
(ii)
First Declaration of Amendment to Ecolab Mirror Pension Plan effective as of July 1, 1994.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)O(ii) of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1994.
(iii)
Second Declaration of Amendment to Ecolab Mirror Pension Plan effective as of July 1, 1994.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)O(iii) of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1995.
(iv)
Third Declaration of Amendment to Ecolab Mirror Pension Plan, effective March 1, 1998.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)M(iv) of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1998.
O.(i)
Ecolab Inc. Administrative Document for Non-Qualified Benefit Plans.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)P of the Company's 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1994.
(ii)
Amendment No. 1 to the Ecolab Inc. Administrative Document for Non-Qualified Benefit Plans effective July 1, 1997.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)N(ii) of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1998.
(iii)
First Declaration to Amendment to the Ecolab Inc. Administrative Document for Non-Qualified Benefit Plans effective November 13, 1997.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)N(iii) of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1998.
(iv)
Third Declaration of Amendment to the Ecolab Inc. Administrative document for Non-Qualified Benefit Plans effective July 1, 1999.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)N(iv) of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999.
P.
1999 Ecolab Inc. Management Performance Incentive Plan.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)O of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1998.
Q.(i)
Amended and Restated Umbrella Agreement between Henkel KGaA and Ecolab Inc. dated June 26, 1991.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 13 of HC Investments, Inc.'s and Henkel KGaA's Amendment No. 4 to Schedule 13D dated July 16, 1991.
(ii)
Amended and Restated Joint Venture Agreement between Henkel KGaA and Ecolab Inc. dated June 26, 1991.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 14 of HC Investments, Inc.'s and Henkel KGaA's Amendment No. 4 to Schedule 13D dated July 16, 1991.
(iii)
Amendment to the Amended and Restated Joint Venture Agreement between Henkel KGaA and Ecolab Inc. dated June 13, 1994.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (10)P(iii) of the Company's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 1998.
(iv)
Amended and Restated ROW Purchase Agreement between Henkel KGaA and Ecolab Inc. dated June 26, 1991.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit (7) of the Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated July 11, 1991.
(v)
Amended and Restated Stockholder's Agreement between Henkel KGaA and Ecolab Inc. dated June 26, 1991.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 15 of HC Investments, Inc.'s and Henkel KGaA's Amendment No. 4 to Schedule 13D dated July 16, 1991.
(vi)
Master Agreement, dated as of December 7, 2000, between Ecolab Inc. and Henkel KGaA.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 18 of HC Investments, Inc.'s and Henkel KGaA's Amendment No. 5 to Schedule 13D dated July 16, 1991.
(vii)
Form of Second Amended and Restated Stockholder's Arrangement between Ecolab Inc. and Henkel KGaA.
Incorporated by reference to Exhibit 19 of HC Investments, Inc.'s and Henkel KGaA's Amendment No. 5 to Schedule 13D dated July 16, 1991.
R.
Description of Ecolab Management Incentive Plan.
Filed herewith electronically.
S.
Summary of Severance Arrangement for L. White Matthews, III.
Filed herewith electronically.
T.
Hiring letter for Bruno Deschamps.
Filed herewith electronically.
(13)
Those portions of the Company's Annual Report to Stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2000 which are incorporated by reference into Parts I, II and IV hereof.
Filed herewith electronically.
(21)
List of Subsidiaries as of February 23, 2001.
Filed herewith electronically.
(23)A.
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP to Incorporation by Reference at page 32 hereof is filed as a part hereof.
See page 32 hereof.
B.
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft.
Filed herewith electronically.
(24)
Powers of Attorney.
Filed herewith electronically.
COVER
Cover Letter.
Filed herewith electronically.
PART I
Item 1. Business
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 2. Properties
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
PART II
Item 5. Market for the Company's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
Item 5(a) Market Information
Item 5(b) Holders
Item 5(c) Dividends
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Item 7(a) 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
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Company
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statements, Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K
SIGNATURES
SCHEDULE II-VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS ECOLAB INC. (In Thousands)
EXHIBIT INDEX