Ecolab to cut 500 jobs in wake of Champion Tech. acquisition

Ecolab corporate HQ sign
Ecolab announced plans to cut some 500 jobs nationwide, related to the company's recently finalized $2.2 billion acquisition of Champion Technologies.
MPR Photo/Jeff Horwich

Ecolab announced plans to cut some 500 jobs nationwide, related to the company's recently finalized $2.2 billion acquisition of Champion Technologies.

The cuts will affect staffing overlaps in sales and other areas between Champion and the St. Paul-based Ecolab. Those jobs will be eliminated, but job cuts should not be felt locally, Ecolab spokesman Michael Monahan said.

"I don't think there's anything affecting the Twin Cities. These should be primarily in North America," Monahan said. "They would include Texas, but also throughout the oil patch that extends through the south, the Dakotas.

Champion Technologies helps companies tap oil and gas deposits that are difficult to access and require extra processing.

Ecolab also announced its financial performance for the first three months of the year. Sales rose 2 percent to $2.9 billion and net income more than tripled to $160 million.

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