8-K

ECOLAB INC. (ECL)

8-K 2022-09-27 For: 2022-09-22
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Added on April 02, 2026

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) September 22, 2022

ECOLAB INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 1-9328 41-0231510
(State or other jurisdiction<br>of incorporation) (Commission<br>File No.) (IRS Employer<br>Identification No.)

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1 Ecolab Place , Saint Paul , Minnesota 55102
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code 1- 800 - 232-6522

(Not applicable)

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

☐ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

​<br><br>​<br><br>​
Title of each class Trading symbol(s) Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $1.00 par value ECL New York Stock Exchange
2.625% Euro Notes due 2025 ECL 25 New York Stock Exchange
1.000% Euro Notes due 2024 ECL 24 New York Stock Exchange

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter). Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 5.02 Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(b)      On September 27, 2022, Ecolab Inc., a Delaware corporation (“Ecolab” or the “Company”), announced that Timothy P. Mulhere will retire from his position as executive vice president and president of Global Institutional and Specialty effective October 1, 2022. He will remain with Ecolab through a transition period and retire from the Company at the end of 2022.

(c)      On the same date, the Company also announced that Darrell Brown has been elected to the position of president and chief operating officer effective October 1, 2022. Mr. Brown, age 59, is currently serving as executive vice president and president of Ecolab’s Global Industrial Group, a position he has held since April 2019. Earlier, he was executive vice president and president of Ecolab’s Energy Services Division from January 2018 to March 2019, and executive vice president of the Global Downstream and WellChem businesses of the Energy Services Division from April 2017 to December 2017. Previously, Mr. Brown held several leadership positions within Ecolab, including executive vice president and president of Europe, executive vice president of Asia Pacific and vice president for Australia and New Zealand. Prior to joining Ecolab in 2002, Mr. Brown spent 15 years in general manager and director roles with both local Australian and multinational companies.

Mr. Brown’s annual base salary will be increased from $625,000 to $750,000 and his target award opportunity (expressed as a percentage of base salary) under Ecolab’s annual cash incentive program will be increased from 90% to 100% in connection with his appointment. He will also continue to participate in Ecolab’s other regular compensation arrangements for executive officers. Information regarding such arrangements is included in the definitive proxy statement relating to Ecolab’s 2022 annual meeting of stockholders filed with the SEC on March 18, 2022 and is incorporated herein by reference.

There is no transaction between Mr. Brown (and his immediate family) and Ecolab that requires disclosure in accordance with Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

A copy of the News Release issued by Ecolab in connection with this report under Item 5.02(c) is attached as Exhibit 99.1.

(e)      On September 22, 2022, the Compensation and Human Capital Management Committee of the Ecolab Board of Directors approved an increase to the annual base salary of the Company’s chief financial officer, Scott Kirkland, from $600,000 to $750,000 and an increase to his target award opportunity (expressed as a percentage of base salary) under Ecolab’s annual cash incentive program from 75% to 100% effective October 1, 2022. Mr. Kirkland will also continue to participate in the other regular compensation arrangements for executive officers described in the Company’s 2022 proxy statement.

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)       Exhibits

Exhibit No. Description Method of Filing
(99.1) Ecolab Inc. News Release dated September 27, 2022. Filed herewith electronically.
(104) Cover Page Interactive Data File. Embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

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SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

ECOLAB INC.
Date:       September 27, 2022 By: /s/ Timothy A. Beastrom
Timothy A. Beastrom
Assistant Secretary

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Exhibit 99.1

New Ecolab logo - blue no R

News Release

Ecolab Inc.

1 Ecolab Place

St. Paul, Minnesota 55102

DARRELL BROWN NAMED ECOLAB PRESIDENT AND COO

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Sept. 27, 2022 – Ecolab Inc. announced that Darrell R. Brown, currently executive vice president and president, Global Industrial, will become president and chief operating officer (COO) effective Oct. 1, 2022.

“As Ecolab continues to grow and expand how we deliver on our purpose to protect what’s vital, this enhancement to our management structure will help us maximize our future growth opportunities and is a reflection of our strong leadership team,” said Christophe Beck, Ecolab chairman and chief executive officer. “Darrell's winning track record, knowledge of our company, focus on talent development and tremendous leadership abilities will provide exceptional execution support and additional focus on the company’s long-term growth and performance. I am fortunate to have Darrell as a partner for the years ahead as we continue to enhance profitability by capitalizing on Ecolab’s significant global growth opportunities.”

Brown, 59, has served as executive vice president and president of the Global Industrial group since 2019. Earlier, he was executive vice president and president of Ecolab’s Energy Services Division. Darrell joined Ecolab in 2002 and has held several leadership positions within the company, including executive vice president and president, Europe; executive vice president, Asia Pacific; and vice president and general manager for Australia and New Zealand.

About Ecolab

A trusted partner at nearly three million customer locations, Ecolab (ECL) is the global leader in water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services that help protect people, planet and business health. With annual sales of $13 billion and more than 47,000 associates, Ecolab delivers comprehensive science-based solutions, data-driven insights and world-class service to advance food safety, help maintain clean and safe environments, optimize water and energy

use, and improve operational efficiencies and sustainability for customers in the food, healthcare, hospitality and industrial markets in more than 170 countries around the world.

www.ecolab.com

Follow us on LinkedIn @Ecolab, Twitter @Ecolab, Instagram @Ecolab_Inc and Facebook @Ecolab.

Contacts:

Andrew Hedberg

651.250.2185

Cairn Clark

651.250.2291

Sept. 27, 2022

(ECL-C)