Ecolab
ECL
#289
Rank
A$115.91 B
Marketcap
A$408.68
Share price
0.59%
Change (1 day)
1.15%
Change (1 year)

Ecolab - 10-Q quarterly report FY


Text size:
FORM 10-Q

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


(Mark One)

[ X ] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 1998

OR

[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from to
-------------- --------------

Commission File No. 1-9328
-------

ECOLAB INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 41-0231510
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)

Ecolab Center, 370 Wabasha Street N., St. Paul, Minnesota 55102
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices)(Zip Code)

651-293-2233
------------
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

(Not Applicable)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed
since last report)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes X No
------- -------

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of July 31, 1998.

129,641,053 shares of common stock, par value $1.00 per share.
- -----------
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ECOLAB INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Second Quarter Ended
June 30
(thousands, except per share) 1998 1997
-------- --------
(unaudited)
<S> <C> <C>

Net Sales $468,460 $411,810

Cost of Sales 210,116 183,322

Selling, General
and Administrative Expenses 194,604 175,685
-------- --------

Operating Income 63,740 52,803

Interest Expense, Net 5,400 3,054
-------- --------

Income Before Income Taxes
and Equity in Earnings of
Joint Venture 58,340 49,749

Provision for Income Taxes 24,475 20,397

Equity in Earnings of Henkel-Ecolab
Joint Venture 3,824 3,542
-------- --------

Net Income $ 37,689 $ 32,894
-------- --------
-------- --------
Net Income Per Common Share
Basic $ 0.29 $ 0.25
Diluted $ 0.28 $ 0.25

Dividends Per Common Share $ 0.095 $ 0.08

Weighted Average Common Shares Outstanding
Basic 128,667 129,779
Diluted 133,803 133,963
</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements.


2
ECOLAB INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six Months Ended Year Ended
June 30 December 31
----------------------- -----------
(thousands, except per share) 1998 1997 1997
--------- -------- -----------
(unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales $904,822 $785,570 $1,640,352

Cost of Sales 406,025 349,048 722,084

Selling, General
and Administrative Expenses 381,337 340,289 699,764
--------- -------- -----------

Operating Income 117,460 96,233 218,504

Interest Expense, Net 10,806 6,052 12,637
--------- -------- -----------

Income Before Income Taxes
and Equity in Earnings of
Joint Venture 106,654 90,181 205,867

Provision for Income Taxes 44,764 36,974 85,345

Equity in Earnings of
Henkel-Ecolab Joint Venture 6,387 5,891 13,433
--------- -------- -----------


Net Income $ 68,277 $ 59,098 $ 133,955
--------- -------- -----------
--------- -------- -----------

Net Income Per Common Share
Basic $ 0.53 $ 0.46 $ 1.03
Diluted $ 0.51 $ 0.44 $ 1.00

Dividends Per Common Share $ 0.19 $ 0.16 $ 0.335

Weighted Average Common Shares
Outstanding
Basic 128,813 129,664 129,446
Diluted 133,871 133,762 133,822
</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements.


3
ECOLAB INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
June 30 June 30 December 31
(thousands) 1998 1997 1997
----------- ---------- -----------
(unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS

Cash and cash equivalents $ 27,242 $ 70,550 $ 61,169

Accounts receivable, net 247,783 217,550 246,041

Inventories 153,275 130,211 154,831

Deferred income taxes 35,175 29,227 34,978

Other current assets 35,794 8,145 12,482
----------- ---------- -----------

Current Assets 499,269 455,683 509,501


Property, Plant and
Equipment, Net 396,458 342,984 395,562


Investment in Henkel-Ecolab
Joint Venture 233,903 248,297 239,879


Other Assets 269,181 161,410 271,357
----------- ---------- -----------

Total Assets $1,398,811 $1,208,374 $1,416,299
----------- ---------- -----------
----------- ---------- -----------
</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

(Continued)

4
ECOLAB INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


(thousands, except per share) June 30 June 30 December 31
1998 1997 1997
---------- ---------- -----------
(unaudited)
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

<S> <C> <C> <C>
Short-term debt $ 88,789 $ 29,638 $ 48,884

Accounts payable 116,684 100,623 130,682

Compensation and benefits 66,478 62,322 74,317

Income taxes 8,973 15,036 13,506

Other current liabilities 131,836 115,714 137,075
---------- ---------- -----------

Current Liabilities 412,760 323,333 404,464


Long-Term Debt 240,382 149,196 259,384


Postretirement Health Care
and Pension Benefits 88,856 82,591 76,109

Other Liabilities 89,705 121,290 124,641


Shareholders' Equity (common stock,
par value $1.00 per share;
shares outstanding: June 30,
1998 - 128,650; June 30, 1997
- 129,783; December 31, 1997
- 129,127) 567,108 531,964 551,701
----------- ---------- -----------

Total Liabilities and
Shareholders' Equity $1,398,811 $1,208,374 $1,416,299
----------- ---------- -----------
----------- ---------- -----------
</TABLE>

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

5
ECOLAB INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six Months Ended Year Ended
June 30 December 31
(thousands) 1998 1997 1997
-------- -------- --------
(unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING ACTIVITIES

Net income $ 68,277 $ 59,098 $133,955

Adjustments to reconcile net
income to cash provided by
operating activities:
Depreciation 47,575 42,674 84,415
Amortization 10,965 7,431 16,464
Deferred income taxes (318) (430) (2,074)
Equity in earnings of joint venture (6,387) (5,891) (13,433)
Joint venture royalties and dividends 7,241 15,546 25,367
Other, net 766 628 4,630
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities:
Accounts receivable (3,670) (10,009) (21,231)
Inventories (607) (6,306) (14,395)
Other assets (4,304) (5,645) (10,993)
Accounts payable (14,016) (3,608) 20,876
Other liabilities (4,659) (13,030) 11,517
-------- -------- --------
Cash provided by continuing operations 100,863 80,458 235,098

Cash used for discontinued operations (30,200)
-------- -------- --------
Cash provided by operating activities $ 70,663 $ 80,458 $235,098
-------- -------- --------
</TABLE>

Bracketed amounts indicate a use of cash.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

(Continued)


6
ECOLAB INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six Months Ended Year Ended
June 30 December 31
1997 1998 1997
-------- -------- -----------
(thousands) (unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
INVESTING ACTIVITIES

Capital expenditures $(68,172) $(54,435) $ (121,667)
Property disposals 1,571 1,197 3,424
Businesses acquired (27,766) (12,974) (157,234)
Sale of investments in securities 5,000
Other, net (139) (235) (1,240)
-------- -------- -----------
Cash used for investing activities (89,506) (66,447) (276,717)
-------- -------- -----------

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

Notes payable 39,543 2,395 9,280
Long-term debt borrowings 16,940 1,000 117,000
Long-term debt repayments (22,540) (470) (15,210)
Reacquired shares (26,281) (14,145) (60,795)
Cash dividends on commmon stock (24,491) (20,727) (41,456)
Other, net 3,323 19,051 26,278
-------- -------- -----------
Cash provided by (used for)
financing activities (13,506) (12,896) 35,097
-------- -------- -----------
Effect of exchange rate
changes on cash (1,578) 160 (1,584)
-------- -------- -----------

INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND
CASH EQUIVALENTS (33,927) 1,275 (8,106)

Cash and Cash Equivalents,
at beginning of period 61,169 69,275 69,275
-------- -------- -----------
Cash and Cash Equivalents,
at end of period $ 27,242 $ 70,550 $ 61,169
-------- -------- -----------
-------- -------- -----------
</TABLE>

Bracketed amounts indicate a use of cash.

See notes to consolidated financial statements.

7
ECOLAB INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

The unaudited consolidated statements of income for the second quarter and
the six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1997, reflect, in the opinion of
management, all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of the results of
operations for the interim periods. These adjustments consist of normal,
recurring items. The results of operations for any interim period are not
necessarily indicative of results for the full year. The consolidated
balance sheet data as of December 31, 1997 and the related consolidated
statements of income and cash flows data for the year then ended were derived
from audited consolidated financial statements, but do not include all
disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles. The
unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction
with the financial statements and notes thereto incorporated in the Company's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997.
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, the Company's independent accountants, have
performed a limited review of the interim financial information included
herein. Their report on such review accompanies this filing.

BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
June 30 June 30 December 31
1998 1997 1997
(thousands) --------- --------- -----------
(unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Accounts Receivable, Net
Accounts receivable $ 259,420 $ 227,460 $ 256,919
Allowance for doubtful accounts (11,637) (9,910) (10,878)
--------- --------- -----------
Total $ 247,783 $ 217,550 $ 246,041
--------- --------- -----------
--------- --------- -----------


Inventories
Finished goods $ 62,793 $ 53,782 $ 67,823
Raw materials and parts 93,287 79,794 89,716
Excess of fifo cost over lifo cost (2,805) (3,365) (2,708)
--------- --------- -----------
Total $ 153,275 $ 130,211 $ 154,831
--------- --------- -----------
--------- --------- -----------

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net
Land $ 11,980 $ 8,257 $ 18,184
Buildings and leaseholds 148,478 133,499 145,021
Machinery and equipment 250,662 217,508 232,940
Merchandising equipment 405,995 351,801 379,531
Construction in progress 16,248 9,818 19,862
--------- --------- -----------
833,363 720,883 795,538
Accumulated depreciation
and amortization (436,905) (377,899) (399,976)
--------- --------- -----------
Total $ 396,458 $ 342,984 $ 395,562
--------- --------- -----------
--------- --------- -----------
</TABLE>


8
ECOLAB INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

BALANCE SHEET INFORMATION (Continued)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
June 30 June 30 December 31
1998 1997 1997
(thousands) --------- --------- -----------
(unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Other Assets
Intangible assets, net $ 214,864 $ 102,965 $ 217,120
Investments in securities 5,000 5,000
Deferred income taxes 25,237 26,591 23,444
Other 29,080 26,854 25,793
--------- --------- -----------
Total $ 269,181 $ 161,410 $ 271,357
--------- --------- -----------
--------- --------- -----------
Short-Term Debt
Notes payable $ 73,014 $ 14,363 $ 33,440
Long-term debt, current
maturities 15,775 15,275 15,444
--------- --------- -----------
Total $ 88,789 $ 29,638 $ 48,884
--------- --------- -----------
--------- --------- -----------
Shareholders' Equity
Common stock $ 143,210 $ 71,199 $ 142,797
Additional paid-in capital 155,457 193,984 149,137
Retained earnings 538,796 443,016 494,950
Deferred compensation (7,235) (6,027) (9,160)
Cumulative translation (39,691) (14,406) (28,943)
Treasury stock (223,429) (155,802) (197,080)
--------- --------- -----------
Total $ 567,108 $ 531,964 $ 551,701
--------- --------- -----------
--------- --------- -----------
</TABLE>

Interest expense related to all debt was $12,581,000 and $8,500,000 for the
six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1997, respectively, and $18,043,000 for
the year ended December 31, 1997.

Other noncurrent liabilities decreased from $125 million at year-end 1997 to
$90 million at June 30, 1998 principally due to a deposit made to post a bond
with the Internal Revenue Service against outstanding issues related to the
disposal of a discontinued business in 1992.


9
ECOLAB INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

GIBSON BUSINESS ACQUISITION

In October 1997, the Company made a public tender offer for all of the
outstanding stock of Gibson Chemical Industries Limited (Gibson) located in
Melbourne, Australia. Gibson is a manufacturer and marketer of cleaning and
sanitizing products, primarily for the Australian and New Zealand
institutional, healthcare and industrial markets. On November 5, 1997, the
Company waived all of the remaining conditions to its tender offer and,
effective November 30, 1997, had acquired substantially all of the
outstanding Gibson shares.

During the first quarter of 1998, the Company completed its plan for
integration of the Gibson businesses, including the determination of which of
the acquired businesses will not be retained, and decisions related to
certain duplicate facilities. The net assets related to these businesses and
facilities which are being held for sale totaled approximately $25 million
and were reclassified to other current assets at March 31, 1998.

The acquisition was accounted for as a purchase. The purchase price of the
shares and the direct costs of the transaction totaled approximately $130
million and were financed through the Company's Multicurrency Credit
Agreement. The excess of the purchase price over the tangible net assets
acquired was approximately $85 million and is being amortized on a
straight-line basis over an average useful life of 25 years. The Company's
international subsidiaries are included in the financial statements on the
basis of their November 30 fiscal year ends and, therefore, Gibson's
operations were included in the Company's consolidated statement of income
beginning in the 1998 reporting period. The assets acquired and the
liabilities assumed in the transaction were included in the Company's
consolidated balance sheet as of the November 30 effective date.

The following unaudited pro forma financial information reflects the combined
results of the Company and the retained Gibson businesses assuming the
acquisition had occurred at the beginning of 1997. Pro forma adjustments
have been included to give effect to amortization of the excess of the
purchase price over the tangible net assets acquired, interest expense on
debt incurred to finance the acquisition and the related income tax effects.
The Company expects that certain efficiencies and synergies will result from
the business combination, however, in accordance with the pro forma
adjustment guidelines, these anticipated cost savings have not been reflected
in the information shown below.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year Ended
December 31
(thousands, except per share) 1997
-----------
<S> <C>
Net sales $1,741,006
Net income 131,455
Diluted net income per common share $ 0.98
</TABLE>


10
ECOLAB INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS (continued)

GIBSON BUSINESS ACQUISITION (continued)

The pro forma results are presented for information purposes only and are not
necessarily indicative of the results of operations which actually would have
resulted had the combination occurred at the beginning of 1997 or of future
results of operations of the consolidated businesses.

OTHER BUSINESS ACQUISITIONS

At the beginning of the first quarter of 1998, the Company acquired a
cleaning and sanitizing business in Japan from Henkel KGaA. Sales of the
acquired business were approximately $10 million in 1997.

In June 1998, the Company acquired certain assets of American Fluid
Technologies (AFT) which is based in Hopkins, Minnesota. AFT provides
cleaning and optimization products and services for membrane systems used to
process water for food, beverage, pharmaceutical and industrial applications.
AFT has become part of the Company's Food & Beverage division. AFT sales
were approximately $3 million in 1997.

Also in June 1998, the Company acquired certain assets of Puremark
International, a Fairfield, New Jersey-based manufacturer of systems which
help purify and condition water used in food service soda fountain
dispensers, ice makers, coffee makers and similar items. The acquired
businesses had sales of approximately $2 million in 1997, and have become
part of the Company's Institutional division.

Subsequent to the end of the second quarter, in July 1998, the Company
completed the purchase of GCS Service, Inc., a Danbury, Connecticut-based
provider of commercial kitchen equipment repair services. GCS Service, Inc.
sales were $48 million in 1997.

These acquisitions have been accounted for as purchases and, accordingly, the
results of operations have been included in the financial statements of the
Company from the dates of acquisition. Net sales and operating income of
these businesses are not significant to the Company's consolidated results of
operations, financial position and cash flows.


11
ECOLAB INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

In the first quarter of 1998, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income." The standard
requires the display and reporting of comprehensive income, which includes
all changes in shareholders' equity with the exception of additional
investments by shareholders or distributions to shareholders. Comprehensive
income for the Company includes net income and foreign currency translation
that is charged or credited to the cumulative translation account within
shareholders' equity. Comprehensive income for the second quarter and six
months ended June 30, 1998 and 1997 and the year ended December 31, 1997, was
as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Second Quarter Six Months Year
Ended Ended Ended
June 30 June 30 December 31
(thousands) 1998 1997 1998 1997 1997
------- ------- -------- -------- -----------
(unaudited) (unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net income $37,689 $32,894 $ 68,277 $ 59,098 $133,955

Change in cumulative
translation (2,200) (1,269) (10,748) (21,193) (35,730)
------- ------- -------- -------- -----------

Comprehensive income $35,489 $31,625 $ 57,529 $ 37,905 $ 98,225
------- ------- -------- -------- -----------
------- ------- -------- -------- -----------
</TABLE>

NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE

The computation of the basic and diluted per share amounts were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Second Quarter Six Months Year
Ended Ended Ended
(thousands, June 30 June 30 December 31
except per share) 1998 1997 1998 1997 1997
-------- -------- -------- -------- -----------
(unaudited) (unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net income $ 37,689 $ 32,894 $ 68,277 $ 59,098 $133,955
-------- -------- -------- -------- -----------
-------- -------- -------- -------- -----------
Weighted average
common shares
outstanding
Basic (actual
shares outstanding) 128,667 129,779 128,813 129,664 129,446
Effect of dilutive
stock options 5,136 4,184 5,058 4,098 4,376
-------- -------- -------- -------- -----------
Diluted 133,803 133,963 133,871 133,762 133,822
-------- -------- -------- -------- -----------
-------- -------- -------- -------- -----------
Net income per
common share
Basic $0.29 $0.25 $0.53 $0.46 $1.03
Diluted $0.28 $0.25 $0.51 $0.44 $1.00
</TABLE>


12
ECOLAB INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE (continued)

Stock options for approximately 2.3 million shares were granted in 1998 with
exercise prices substantially greater than the market value of the Company's
common stock. These stock options were not dilutive and therefore were not
included in the computation of diluted net income per common share for the
second quarter and six months ended June 30, 1998. Virtually all stock
options outstanding during the second quarter and six months ended June 30,
1997, and the year ended December 31, 1997, were dilutive and included in the
calculation of the diluted per share amounts.

GEOGRAPHIC SEGMENTS

The Company is the leading global developer and marketer of premium cleaning,
sanitizing and maintenance products and services for the hospitality,
institutional and industrial markets. Customers include hotels and
restaurants; foodservice, healthcare and educational facilities; quickservice
(fast-food) units; commercial laundries; light industry; dairy plants and
farms; and food and beverage processors around the world. International
consists of Canadian, Asia Pacific, Latin American, African and Kay's
international operations. In addition, the Company and Henkel KGaA of
Dusseldorf, Germany, each have a 50% economic interest in the Henkel-Ecolab
joint venture, which operates institutional and industrial cleaning and
sanitizing businesses in Europe. Information concerning the Company's equity
in earnings of the Henkel-Ecolab joint venture is provided in a separate note
to the consolidated financial statements.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Second Quarter Ended Six Months Ended Year Ended
June 30 June 30 December 31
(thousands) 1998 1997 1998 1997 1997
-------- -------- -------- -------- ----------
(unaudited) (unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net Sales
United States $359,254 $319,633 $691,868 $610,336 $1,275,828
International 109,206 92,177 212,954 175,234 364,524
-------- -------- -------- -------- ----------
Total $468,460 $411,810 $904,822 $785,570 $1,640,352
-------- -------- -------- -------- ----------
-------- -------- -------- -------- ----------
Operating Income
United States $ 57,369 $ 47,184 $104,905 $ 85,625 $ 195,630
International 7,850 6,669 14,944 12,539 26,962
Corporate (1,479) (1,050) (2,389) (1,931) (4,088)
-------- -------- -------- -------- ----------
Total $ 63,740 $ 52,803 $117,460 $ 96,233 $ 218,504
-------- -------- -------- -------- ----------
-------- -------- -------- -------- ----------
</TABLE>


13
ECOLAB INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

EQUITY IN EARNINGS OF HENKEL-ECOLAB JOINT VENTURE

Certain financial data of the Henkel-Ecolab joint venture and the components
of the Company's equity in earnings of the joint venture for the second
quarter and six months ended June 30, 1998 and 1997 and for the year ended
December 31, 1997 were:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Second Quarter Ended Six Months Ended Year Ended
June 30 June 30 December 31
(thousands) 1998 1997 1998 1997 1997
-------- -------- -------- -------- ------------
(unaudited) (unaudited)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Joint venture

Net sales $223,498 $212,768 $423,408 $422,365 $844,689

Gross profit 122,629 119,720 235,050 234,778 470,698

Income before
income taxes 16,208 15,434 28,286 27,407 63,640

Net income $ 9,224 $ 8,924 $ 15,998 $ 15,594 $ 33,701


Ecolab equity in earnings

Ecolab equity in
net income $ 4,612 $ 4,462 $ 7,999 $ 7,797 $ 16,851

Ecolab royalty
income from joint
venture, net of
income taxes 1,112 1,085 2,196 2,220 4,583

Amortization expense
for the excess of
cost over the
underlying net
assets of the joint
venture (1,900) (2,005) (3,808) (4,126) (8,001)
-------- -------- -------- -------- ------------

Equity in earnings of
Henkel-Ecolab
joint venture $ 3,824 $ 3,542 $ 6,387 $ 5,891 $ 13,433
-------- -------- -------- -------- ------------
-------- -------- -------- -------- ------------
</TABLE>

At June 30, 1998, the Company's investment in the Henkel-Ecolab joint venture
included approximately $139 million for the unamortized excess of the
Company's investment over its equity in the joint venture's net assets. This
excess is being amortized on a straight-line basis over estimated economic
useful lives of up to 30 years.


14
ECOLAB INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)

SUBSEQUENT EVENT

As a result of tax losses on the disposition of a business in 1992, the
Company's U.S. federal income tax payments were reduced in 1992 through 1995
by approximately $58 million. However, pending final acceptance of the
Company's treatment of the losses, no income tax benefit has been recognized
for financial reporting purposes. On August 5, 1998 an agreement was reached
with the Internal Revenue Service on the final tax treatment for the losses.
This agreement will result in the recognition of income from discontinued
operations in the Company's financial statements for the period ending
September 30, 1998. Because this one-time gain relates to a previously
discontinued business and a major portion of the tax liability due was funded
by a deposit to post a bond with the Internal Revenue Service during the
second quarter 1998, the settlement is not expected to have a material impact
on the Company's overall results from continuing operations, financial
position or liquidity.


15
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


To the Shareholders and Directors
Ecolab Inc.

We have reviewed the accompanying consolidated balance sheet of Ecolab
Inc. as of June 30, 1998 and 1997, and the related consolidated statements of
income for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 30, 1998 and
1997, and the consolidated statement of cash flows for the six-month periods
ended June 30, 1998 and 1997. These financial statements are the
responsibility of the Company's management.

We conducted our reviews in accordance with standards established by the
American Institute of Certified Public Accountants. A review of interim
financial information consists principally of applying analytical procedures
to financial data and making inquiries of persons responsible for financial
and accounting matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit
conducted in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, the
objective of which is the expression of an opinion regarding the financial
statements taken as a whole. Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our reviews, we are not aware of any material modifications
that should be made to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for
them to be in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

We have previously audited, in accordance with generally accepted
auditing standards, the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 1997,
and the related consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity and
cash flows for the year then ended (not presented herein); and in our report
dated February 23, 1998, we expressed an unqualified opinion on those
consolidated financial statements. In our opinion, the information set forth
in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 1997, and
the related consolidated statements of income and cash flows for the year
then ended is fairly presented, in all material respects, in relation to the
consolidated balance sheet and statements of income and cash flows from which
it has been derived.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

Saint Paul, Minnesota
July 21, 1998


16
ECOLAB INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussion and analysis provides information that management
believes is useful in understanding the Company's operating results, cash
flows and financial condition. The discussion should be read in conjunction
with the consolidated financial statements and related notes in this Form
10-Q.

The following discussion contains various "Forward-Looking Statements" within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The
statements, which represent Ecolab's expectations or beliefs concerning
various future events, are based on current expectations that involve a
number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those of such Forward-Looking Statements. We refer readers
to the Company's statement entitled "Forward-Looking Statements and Risk
Factors" which is contained under Item 1 of the Company's Annual Report on
Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997. Additional risk factors may
be described from time to time in Ecolab's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - SECOND QUARTER AND SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 1998

Net sales for the second quarter ended June 30, 1998 were $468 million, an
increase of 14 percent over net sales of $412 million in the second quarter
of last year. For the first six months of 1998, net sales increased 15% to
$905 million from $786 in the first six months of 1997. Business
acquisitions made a significant contribution to the Company's sales growth
and accounted for approximately one-half of the Company's growth in both the
second quarter and six-month periods. Changes in currency translation
decreased the Company's sales growth rates by approximately two percentage
points in each of the reporting periods. The growth in sales also reflected
new products, a larger sales-and-service force, new customers, competitive
gains and a continuation of generally good conditions in the hospitality and
lodging industries, particularly in the United States.

The gross profit margin for the second quarter of 1998 was 55.1 percent of
net sales, compared with the gross profit margin of 55.5 percent of net sales
in the second quarter of last year. For the six-month period, the gross
profit margin was also 55.1 percent of net sales, down from the six month
1997 margin of 55.6 percent. These lower gross profit margins were primarily
due to lower margins in the Asia Pacific region, which were negatively
affected by economic and monetary problems in the area, and to businesses the
Company added to the region


17
ECOLAB INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - SECOND QUARTER AND SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 1998 (continued)

through acquisitions. The lower Asia Pacific margin was partially offset by
modestly higher gross margins in virtually all of the Company's other
operations which included the benefits of higher sales of the higher margin
products of the Company's U.S. core operations and sales volume growth of new
products. The benefits from selling price increases improved modestly over
last year, however, continued to be limited due to market pressures.

Selling, general and administrative expenses represented 41.5 percent of net
sales in the second quarter of 1998, a decrease from selling, general and
administrative expenses of 42.7 percent of net sales in the second quarter of
last year. For the first six months of 1998, selling, general and
administrative expenses were 42.1 percent of net sales, compared with 43.3
percent in the comparable period of last year. Selling, general and
administrative margins were down for both the Company's U.S. and
international operations with significant decreases in the Asia Pacific
region. These decreases reflected benefits of tight cost controls, the
integration of businesses acquired and strong sales growth. These benefits
were partially offset by investments in the sales-and-service force and
additional business investments. The Company expects to continue investing
in its sales-and-service force, including investments in training and
productivity.

For the second quarter of 1998, net income totaled $38 million, an increase
of 15% percent over net income of $33 million in the second quarter of last
year. On a per share basis, diluted net income per common share increased 12
percent to $0.28 from $0.25 in the second quarter of last year. For the
six-month period, net income of $68 million or $0.51 per diluted share was up
16 percent over net income of $59 million or $0.44 per diluted share in the
comparable period of last year. These earnings improvements reflected
double-digit growth in operating income, principally due to the stronger
performances of the Company's U.S. core operations, and a higher equity in
earnings of the Henkel-Ecolab joint venture. Earnings were negatively
affected by increased interest expense and income taxes compared with the
second quarter and six-month period of last year.

Net sales for the Company's United States operations were $359 million for
the second quarter of 1998, an increase of 12 percent over net sales of $320
million in the second quarter of last year. United States sales totaled $692
million for the first six months of 1998, up 13 percent compared with sales
of $610 million in the comparable period of 1997. Sales benefited from
business acquisitions, a continuation of strong growth in the core
Institutional and Food & Beverage operations, sales of new products, and good
business trends in the hospitality and lodging industries. Business
acquisitions


18
ECOLAB INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - SECOND QUARTER AND SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 1998 (continued)

accounted for approximately one-third of the growth in U.S. sales during each
of the reporting periods. Selling price increases continued to be limited
due to tight pricing conditions in several of the markets in which the
Company does business. Sales of the U.S. Institutional Division increased
11% for the second quarter and 13% for the first six months of 1998 with
strong growth in sales of all of its business units, and the benefits of the
December 1997 acquisition of the Grace-Lee Vehicle Wash business which added
approximately 2 percentage points to the Division's sales growth rates. The
Pest Elimination Division reported an improved sales growth rate of 16
percent for the second quarter of 1998 and a 14 percent growth rate for the
first six months of 1998. Pest Elimination sales reflected good new contract
sales, high retention of key customers and increased demand related to last
winter's mild weather. Kay also reported an improved trend in its sales
growth rate with a 10 percent increase in sales for the second quarter and a
9 percent growth rate for the first six months of 1998. Kay's growth
reflected good results in sales to its core quickservice customers, due in
part to new product and service offerings, and good growth in sales of its
grocery/deli business. Sales of the Textile Care Division were down 1
percent for the second quarter and increased 2 percent for the first six
months of 1998. Textile Care continues to experience pressures from plant
consolidations, particularly in laundries serving the healthcare market, and
challenging market conditions. Professional Products sales increased 4
percent for the second quarter and 7 percent for the six-month period with
continued growth in sales of branded products through its mass commercial
distribution line. Water Care sales were up 4 percent for the second quarter
and 3 percent for the six-month period. The Water Care Division continues to
concentrate on the hospitality, cruise ship, food and beverage, and laundry
markets. The Company's Food & Beverage Division reported sales growth of 15
percent for the second quarter and 16 percent for the first half of 1998
reflecting the acquisition of Chemidyne in August of last year. Excluding
Chemidyne, Food & Beverage sales increased 6 percent for the second quarter
and 7 percent for the six-month period with good growth in sales to all of
its markets.

For the second quarter of 1998, operating income of the Company's United
States operations was $57 million, up 22 percent over operating income of $47
million in the second quarter of last year. For the six-month period, U.S.
operating income totaled $105 million, an increase of 23 percent over
operating income of $86 million in the comparable period of 1997. U.S.
operating income benefited from particularly good growth in the core
Institutional and Food and Beverage operations and also in the Pest
Elimination business. U.S. operating income improved to 16.0 percent of net
sales in the second quarter from 14.8 percent of net sales in the second
quarter of 1997.


19
ECOLAB INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - SECOND QUARTER AND SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 1998 (continued)

The U.S. operating income margin also improved for the first six months of
1998, to 15.2 percent of net sales from 14.0 percent in the comparable period
of last year. The improvements in operating income margins reflected strong
sales growth, sales of new products, modest increases in raw material costs,
higher gross margins and the benefits of tight cost controls.

Reported sales of the Company's International Operations were $109 million
for the second quarter of 1998, an increase of 18 percent over sales of $92
million in the comparable period of last year. For the first six months of
1998, International reported a sales increase of 22 percent to $213 million
from $175 million in the first half of 1997. International sales benefited
from business acquisitions, however, were negatively affected by changes in
currency translation, particularly in the Asia Pacific region. Excluding
acquisitions, sales for the second quarter and six-month periods as reported
in U.S. dollars were flat versus the same periods of last year. When
measured in local currencies, total International sales increased
approximately 30 percent for each of the reporting periods, and when
acquisitions are excluded, sales for both the second quarter and first six
months of 1998 increased approximately 10%. The Asia Pacific region reported
U.S. dollar sales growth of 33 percent for the second quarter and 35 percent
for the first six months of 1998. Excluding business acquisitions and when
measured in local currencies, Asia Pacific sales increased 15 percent for the
second quarter of 1998 and 17 percent for the six-month period with good
growth in Japan, Australia and Southeast Asia. Reported sales of Latin
America increased 4 percent for both the second quarter and six-month
periods. When measured in local currencies, Latin America sales increased 10
percent in each period with strong double-digit growth in Mexico, Venezuela
and Central America and modest growth in Brazil. Canada's reported sales
were flat for the second quarter of 1998 and grew 5 percent for the six-month
period. Canada's local currency growth, excluding the March 1997 acquisition
of Savolite, was 4 percent for the second quarter and 6 percent for the first
six months of 1998 and reflected good growth in Institutional and Food &
Beverage sales.

International reported operating income of $8 million for the second quarter
ended June 30, 1998, an increase of 18 percent over second quarter 1997
operating income of $7 million. For the six-month period, International's
reported operating income totaled $15 million and was up 19 percent over
operating income of $13 million in the comparable period of 1997. Excluding
the effects of business acquisitions, International's U.S. dollar operating
income was down 12 percent for the second quarter and down 1 percent for the
first six months of 1998, reflecting lower income in the Asia Pacific region
due


20
ECOLAB INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS - SECOND QUARTER AND SIX MONTHS ENDED
JUNE 30, 1998 (continued)

to the difficult business and economic conditions in the region. Excluding
business acquisitions and the negative effects of currency translation,
International's operating income grew 8 percent for the second quarter and 24
percent for the six-month period and included significant growth in results
of Latin America. The Company continues to be cautious about near-term
growth in the Asia Pacific region due to the uncertain economic conditions in
the region.

The Company's equity in earnings of the Henkel-Ecolab joint venture increased
8 percent to $3.8 million in the second quarter of 1998 from $3.5 million in
the second quarter of last year. For the first six months of 1998, the
Company's equity in joint venture earnings was $6.4 million, up 8 percent over
$5.9 million of equity in earnings recorded in the comparable period of last
year. Joint venture sales, although not consolidated in the Company's
financial statements, increased 11 percent for the second quarter and 9
percent for the six-month period when measured in Deutsche marks, with good
growth in most markets and within most geographic regions. However, sales to
the professional hygiene market and sales in Germany and the United Kingdom
were weak, due in part to government and private spending cutbacks. When
measured in U.S. dollars, joint venture sales were negatively affected by the
strengthening U.S. dollar and increased only 5 percent for the second quarter
and were flat for the first six months of 1998.

Corporate operating expense was $1 million for the second quarter and $2
million for the first half of 1998 and represented overhead costs directly
related to the joint venture. The major portion of the 41 percent increase
in corporate operating expense for the second quarter was due to the timing
of expenditures.

Net interest expense totaled $5.4 million for the second quarter and $10.8
million for the first half of 1998 and increased nearly 80 percent over net
interest expense in the comparable periods of last year. The increases were
primarily due to debt incurred under the Company's Multicurrency Credit
Agreement for the Gibson acquisition and for an income tax deposit made in
the second quarter of 1998.

For both the second quarter and six-month periods, the provisions for income
taxes reflected estimated effective rates of 42.0 percent in 1998, a slight
increase compared with last year's effective rates of 41.0 percent. The
increases in the effective income tax rates were principally due to the
effects of business acquisitions and higher overall effective rates on
earnings of International operations.


21
ECOLAB INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

YEAR 2000 CONVERSION

The Company has completed an assessment of Year 2000 compliance for its North
American operations related to its critical operating and application
systems, particularly customer-oriented systems such as sales and order
processing, billing and collections and associated infrastructure. As a
result, the Company has renovated or is replacing portions of its software
and hardware. The renovation, validation and implementation processes are
approximately 85% complete and the intention is to be completed by the end of
1998 in all material respects. The costs related to Year 2000 to complete
this activity are not material and should not exceed $5 million, in both
capital and expense, of which an estimated $3 million has been incurred to
date. Of this cost, only a small part is related to accelerated replacement
due to Year 2000 concerns.

With regard to operations and application systems in operations outside of
North America, the Company is in various stages of assessment, renovation,
validation or implementation depending on the circumstances. The Company
intends to follow the same process internationally, as it has taken in North
America and intends to complete the process by the end of 1998 in all
material respects.

As a part of its Year 2000 process, the Company intends to demonstrate its
Year 2000 readiness by simulating the Year 2000 in an orchestrated manner for
its key infrastructure components, critical business processes and key
application systems. The Company expects that minor Year 2000 compliance
issues will be identified as an outcome of the Year 2000 simulation test and
intends to address these compliance issues in the first quarter of 1999.

On a worldwide basis, the Company is in the assessment stage relative to
remediating its dispensing and cleaning systems and its manufacturing and
building maintenance operations for date/time sensitivity and intends to
proceed to the renovation, validation and implementation stages with the goal
of completion by the end of 1998. The Company, while still only in the
assessment stage, believes that its requirements relative to Year 2000
remediation for its dispensing and cleaning systems and manufacturing and
building maintenance operations are limited in nature and although a final
cost estimate has not been determined at this time, the Company does not
believe the cost will be material.

The Company has contacted key suppliers and vendors in order to determine the
status of such third parties' Year 2000 remediation plans. This process will
be ongoing into 1999. In the Company's experience, its suppliers and vendors
are still only in the process of Year 2000 renovation. Therefore, the
Company will be better able to fully assess the risk and prepare contingency
plans when third party processes are more complete.


22
ECOLAB INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

YEAR 2000 CONVERSION (continued)

The Company recognizes the need for Year 2000 contingency plans in the event
that remediation is not fully successful or that the remediation efforts of
its vendors, suppliers and governmental/regulatory agencies are not timely
completed. The Company intends to address contingency planning during 1999.

The Company intends to complete its Year 2000 remediation efforts primarily
with in-house resources, but has and will continue to use consultants for
specific tasks. The Company believes that costs of Year 2000 remediation
described above can be funded from operations.

The Company recognizes that issues related to Year 2000 constitute a material
known uncertainty. The Company also recognizes the importance of ensuring
its operations will not be adversely affected by Year 2000 issues. It
believes that the processes described above will be effective to manage the
risks associated with the problem. However, there can be no assurance that
the process can be completed on the timetable described above or that the
remediation processes will be fully effective. The failure to identify and
remediate Year 2000 problems or, the failure of key third parties who do
business with the Company or governmental/regulatory agencies to timely
remediate their Year 2000 issues could cause system failures or errors,
business interruptions and in a worst case scenario, the inability to engage
in normal business practices for an unknown length of time. The effect on
the Company's operations, income and financial condition could be materially
adverse.

There are numerous risks and uncertainties associated with management of Year
2000 risks and these are further discussed in the Company's Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1997 under the heading "Forward-Looking Statements
and Risk Factors."

FINANCIAL POSITION AND LIQUIDITY

Total assets were approximately $1.4 billion at June 30, 1998, a slight
decrease from total assets at year-end 1997 and an increase of 16 percent
over total assets of $1.2 billion at June 30, 1997, due in part to business
acquisitions. Other current assets at June 30, 1998, included approximately
$23 million of net assets of the acquired Gibson businesses which the Company
has determined it will not retain. During the first quarter of 1998 the
Company completed its plan for the integration of Gibson and the majority of
these net assets held for sale initially had been included in the Company's
year-end 1997 balance sheet as property, plant and equipment, accounts
receivable and inventories.

Total debt was $329 million at June 30, 1998, up from total debt of $308
million at year-end 1997 and total debt of $179 million at June 30, 1997.
The increases in total debt reflected an income tax deposit made in the
second quarter of 1998 and debt incurred to finance the late-1997 acquisition
of Gibson. The ratio of total debt to capitalization was 37 percent at June 30,
1998, compared with 36 percent at year-end 1997 and 25 percent at June 30, 1997.


23
ECOLAB INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

FINANCIAL POSITION AND LIQUIDITY (continued)

Other noncurrent liabilities decreased from $125 million at year-end 1997 to
$90 million at June 30, 1998 principally due to a deposit made to post a bond
with the Internal Revenue Service against outstanding issues related to the
disposal of a discontinued business in 1992. As a result of tax losses on
the disposition of this business, the Company's U.S. federal income tax
payments were reduced in 1992 through 1995 by approximately $58 million.
However, pending final acceptance of the Company's treatment of the losses,
no income tax benefit has been recognized for financial reporting purposes.
On August 5, 1998 an agreement was reached with the Internal Revenue Service
on the final tax treatment for the losses. This agreement will result in the
recognition of income from discontinued operations in the Company's financial
statements for the period ending September 30, 1998. While the computations
necessary to determine the final amount of income are dependent on many
factors, including the outcome from the filing of numerous amended state and
local income tax returns, the Company believes that the final amount of
income from discontinued operations could be in excess of $35 million.
Because this one-time gain relates to a previously discontinued business and
the major portion of the tax liability due has been funded by the
above-mentioned bond posting, the settlement is not expected to have a
material impact on the Company's results from continuing operations,
financial position or liquidity.

Cash provided by continuing operations totaled $101 million for the first six
months of 1998, an increase of 25 percent over cash provided by continuing
operations of $80 million in the first half of last year. The comparison of
cash flow from continuing operations was favorably affected by a cash outflow
in 1997 due to an income tax deposit made against outstanding federal income
tax issues that had been accrued for in other noncurrent liabilities. Total
cash provided by operating activities decreased to $71 million from $80
million in the first six months of last year due to a $30 million income tax
deposit made in the second quarter of 1998 related to discontinued
operations.

During the first six months of 1998, the Company reacquired 454,242 shares of
its common stock under its share repurchase program, which provides shares to
fund employee benefit plans. The Company also acquired 432,358 shares of its
common stock under a separate 12 million share repurchase program announced
in May 1995. At June 30, 1998, there were 3,748,888 shares remaining for
purchase from time to time under that 1995 purchase authorization. The
Company anticipates that it will continue to periodically reacquire shares
under these two programs.


24
ECOLAB INC.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (continued)

NEW ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT

In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, a new standard of accounting and
reporting for derivative instruments and hedging activities. The Company is
required to adopt the new standard in the first quarter of 2000. Although
the Company has not completed a full analysis of all of the requirements of
the new standard, the Company's use of derivative and hedging financial
instruments is limited and therefore the Company does not anticipate the
impact of the new standard to be significant.


25
PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

The Company's Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held on May 8,
1998. At the meeting, 92.57% of the outstanding shares of the
Company's voting stock were represented in person or by proxy.
The first proposal voted upon was the election of four Class
III Directors for a term ending at the annual meeting in 2001.
The four persons nominated by the Company's Board of Directors
received the following votes and were elected:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Name For Withheld
---------------- ----------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Joel W. Johnson 118,534,635 720,980
Philip L. Smith 118,521,653 733,962
Hugo Uyterhoeven 118,506,599 749,016
Albrecht Woeste 118,499,056 756,559
</TABLE>
In addition, the terms of office of the following directors
continued after the meeting: Class I Directors for a term ending in
1999 - James J. Howard, Jerry W. Levin, Rueben F. Richards, Richard
L. Schall and Roland Schulz; and Class II Directors for a term
ending in 2000 - Leslie S. Biller, Ruth S. Block, Allan L. Schuman
and Michael E. Shannon.

The second proposal voted upon was the ratification of the
appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (on July 1, 1998, Coopers
& Lybrand L.L.P. merged with Price Waterhouse LLP to form
PricewaterhouseCoopers) as the Company's independent accountants for
the year ending December 31, 1998. The appointment was ratified as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
For Against Abstained
----------- ------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
118,916,863 173,334 165,418
</TABLE>

As to each proposal, there were no broker non-votes.


Item 5(a) RECENT SALES OF UNREGISTERED SECURITIES

On May 11, 1998, the Company issued 18,633 shares of Common Stock to
Grace-Lee Products, Incorporated ("Grace-Lee") in a private
transaction. The transaction represented a purchase price
adjustment for the previously reported acquisition of Grace-Lee's
chemical business in December, 1997. The transaction was exempt
from registration pursuant to Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of
1933.


26
PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION (continued)

Item 5(b) ANNUAL MEETING - DISCRETIONARY VOTING AND ADVANCE NOTICE PROVISIONS

The following information is provided to comply with Rules 14a -
4(c)(i) and 14a - 5(e) of the Securities and Exchange Commission:

Rule 14(a) - 4(c)(i) of the Securities and Exchange Commission
provides that persons named in the proxy which accompanies the
Company's Proxy Statement, may be given discretionary authority to
vote all proxies with respect to any matters not included in the
Proxy Statement which come before the Annual Meeting of the
Stockholders for a vote of the Stockholders unless advance notice of
such matter is provided to the Company in accordance with the
Company's Advance By-Law Notice provisions. The Company anticipates
continuing its policy of granting such discretionary authority to
the persons named in the proxy.

As applied to the Company such discretionary authority will apply
with respect to proxies solicited in connection with the next Annual
Meeting of Stockholders expected to be held on May 14, 1999, unless
notice is received by the Company not later than February 6, 1999.
Notice may be given to the Secretary of the Company, c/o Ecolab
Inc., Ecolab Center, 370 North Wabasha Street, St. Paul, Minnesota
55102.

In addition, the Company's By-Laws contain advance notice provisions
which require that written notice of a stockholder proposal or
stockholder director nomination not included in the Proxy Statement
be delivered to the Secretary not less than 90 and no more than 135
days prior to the anniversary date of the preceding Annual Meeting
of Stockholders. Any Stockholder business, or nomination, which the
presiding officer determines has not been brought before the meeting
in accordance with those By-Law provisions, will not be voted upon
at the meeting. The notice period, in respect of the next Annual
Meeting expected to be held on May 14, 1999 shall be from December
24, 1998 through February 6, 1999 inclusive. A copy of the By-Laws
of the Company may be obtained by contacting the Secretary of the
Company at the above address.


27
PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION (continued)

Item 6. EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K


(a) The following documents are filed as exhibits to this
report:

(4) A. Amendment No. 1 dated as of June 23, 1998 to
Multicurrency Credit Agreement dated as of September
29, 1993, as Amended and Restated as of October 17,
1997, and to Local Currency Addendum dated as of
October 17, 1997, with respect to the Multicurrency
Credit Agreement, among Ecolab Inc., the Banks parties
thereto, Citibank, N.A., as Agent for the Banks,
Citibank International Plc, as Euro-Agent for the Banks
and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York as
Co-Agent; and with respect to the Local Currency
Addendum among Ecolab Inc., Ecolab PTY Limited, the
Local Currency Banks parties thereto, Citibank, N.A.,
as Agent and Citisecurities Limited, as Local Currency
Agent.

B. 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 parties thereto.

(10) 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 numbers of shares.

(15) Letter regarding unaudited interim financial
information.

(27) Financial Data Schedule.


(b) Reports on Form 8-K:

No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter ended
June 30, 1998. Subsequent to the quarter ended June 30,
1998, the Company filed on July 15, 1998, a Current Report
on Form 8-K announcing completion of its previously
announced acquisition of GCS Service, Inc. of Danbury,
Connecticut.


28
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 thereunto duly authorized.

ECOLAB INC.


Date: August 12, 1998 By: /s/Michael E. Shannon
Michael E. Shannon
Chairman of the Board, Chief
Financial and Administrative
Officer (duly authorized
officer and Principal
Financial Officer)


29
EXHIBIT INDEX

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit No. Document Method of Filing
----------- -------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C>
(4) A. Amendment No. 1 dated as of June 23, 1998 to Filed herewith
Multicurrency Credit Agreement dated as of electronically
September 29, 1993, as Amended and Restated as
of October 17, 1997, and to Local Currency
Addendum dated as of October 17, 1997, with
respect to the Multicurrency Credit Agreement,
among Ecolab Inc., the Banks parties thereto,
Citibank, N.A., as Agent for the Banks,
Citibank International Plc, as Euro-Agent for
the Banks and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of
New York as Co-Agent; and with respect to the
Local Currency Addendum among Ecolab Inc.,
Ecolab PTY Limited, the Local Currency Banks
party thereto, Citibank, N.A., as Agent and
Citisecurities Limited, as Local Currency
Agent.

(4) B. Australian Dollar Local Currency Addendum Filed herewith
dated as of June 23, 1998 among Ecolab Finance electronically
PTY Limited, Ecolab Inc., Citibank, N.A., the
Local Currency Agent named therein and the
Local Currency Banks party thereto.

(10) Non-Statutory Stock Option Agreement between Filed herewith
the Company and Allan L. Schuman with respect electronically
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.

(15) Letter regarding unaudited interim financial Filed herewith
information electronically

(27) Financial Data Schedule Filed herewith
electronically
</TABLE>


30