Livingstone Helps Ecolab Buy Abroad
January 2012
Livingstone, the leading independent, international investment banking firm, recently advised US multinational Ecolab Inc. (“Ecolab”), on the acquisition of Spanish company Hicopla, Higienización y Control de Plagas, (“Hicopla”). Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Founded in 1923 in St. Paul, Minnesota, Ecolab (NYSE: ECL) is the leader in cleaning, sanitizing, food safety and infection prevention products and services. With sales over $6 billion, the group employs 26,000 people worldwide and provides services to the hospitality markets as well as the food and beverage, healthcare and industrial markets in 160 countries across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa. Ecolab established in Spain in 1969 and employs 180 people to meet its clients’ needs in the country. Following its geographical expansion strategy via successful acquisitions, Ecolab determined to enter the Spanish pest control market.
Hicopla is a Barcelona-based provider of pest evaluation, detection and prevention services. The business was previously privately owned by its owner/manager team. The company’s main clients belong to the food and beverage, hospitality and restaurants sectors.
Stephen Miles, US partner and head of global environmental services commented, “Working for Ecolab on this transaction builds on our strong track record advising corporates with overseas activities, and further bolsters Livingstone’s string of transaction successes in the business services area. Livingstone´s local presence and knowledge was useful in coordinating with the Ecolab corporate team in working through the details on this deal.”
Livingstone has built a peerless reputation in the mid-market for helping corporate buyers and sellers complete cross-border deals around the world. Livingstone has recently closed transactions with household-name and leading companies such as Lifetime Brands, LaFarge, Middleby Corp., Mattel, Hertz, and Anheuser-Busch InBev.
For further information please contact:
Stephen Miles
T: 312.670.5901
E: miles@livingstonepartners.com
