Pentair offers water filters, pump systems and pool accessories, as well as air conditioning and thermal management enclosures and products.

Premier Business Partners:

ACE Stamping & Machine Anderson Seal Inc. New Berlin Plastics The Molding Group Merit Screw Machine Products The Anderson Group Mantel Machine Products Inc. Nationwide Precision Products Corp. TRW Commercial Steering Systems R&M Energy Systems

In 2004, Pentair acquired WICOR Industries, a subsidiary of Milwaukee-based Wisconsin Energy Corp., for $850 million.

WICOR, a water system, filtration and pool equipment products manufacturer, is known for brands that include StaRite, SHURflo and Hypro. The transaction created a $2 billion water technology business with about 8,000 employees worldwide, which is now known as Pentair Water.

“This transaction [was] a significant milestone in that it [doubled] our water revenue and significantly [expanded] our global market opportunities in an attractive market where Pentair has already established a leadership position,” CEO Randall J. Hogan said in a statement.

“The WICOR acquisition [transformed] Pentair into a diversified company defined largely by a $2 billion Water Technologies business. Not only did we anticipate creating a significant water and wastewater systems business having some $900 million in sales, but we also [operated] a global pool and spa equipment business with revenues of roughly $600 million.   

“We [expected] our revenues in the filtration and purification space to jump to approximately $500 million. We [became] considerably more global in scope, with anticipated total international water-related sales of 20 percent or about $400 million. [The] transaction allowed us to accelerate Pentair’s growth through the more rapid creation of innovative products and systems, and captured cost savings and other synergies, thereby adding value for our customers and shareholders.”

Since 1995, Pentair has acquired 11 companies in the water arena. “[Twelve] years ago, Pentair identified water as an attractive market, based on its high growth and profit potential, and embarked on a remarkable journey that continues today,” Hogan said.

Combined Expertise
Pentair Water is the largest business group within Pentair, and continues to offer its customers several benefits, according to Richard J. Cathcart, president and COO of Pentair Water.    

“With our combined size and capabilities, we provide competitively priced, high-quality products, increased customer responsiveness and accelerated development of innovative new products and industry-leading technical applications,” he said.   

The transaction proves Pentair’s commitment to satisfying its clients, Cathcart added. “We [combined] Pentair’s proven operating disciplines with WICOR’s strong customer orientation to enhance sales relationships with our customers, build our collective brands, grow our technology, accelerate the development of innovative products, expand our global footprint, and deliver superior products and service to our customers,” he said.

“The geographic footprint of Pentair Water allows us to increase our global reach,” Cathcart continued. “Our mission – to deliver innovative products ... of safe, clean water – transcends borders, as does our business.”

Continued Success
Pentair Water provides pump systems, filtration and purification and pool, and spa products and services to a variety of markets, including residential, commercial, industrial, foodservice, aviation and marine.

Its clients include professional distributors, plumbing wholesalers, catalog distributors and specialty pool retailers.

It maintains its presence throughout the United States and Canada, as well as in Europe and Asia.

Other acquisitions have included Everpure Inc., an Illinois-based manufacturer of water filtration products. Acquired in 2004, Everpure had $60 million in revenue in its final fiscal year.

Pentair Water plans for continuous improvements, Cathcart said.

“One of our highest priorities was to maintain our current business momentum,” he stated. “With the commitment and contribution of our employees, we’ve been able to do just that.

“We intend to make Pentair a top-performing company, managed and operated for the long-term benefit of all of [our] constituents.”
 
Pentair Foundation
Pentair’s commitment is not limited to its market, however. It is active in charitable organizations, and in 1998 created the Pentair Foundation.   

The foundation is focused on education and community activities. It offers job training, assistance and resources and affordable housing, as well as support services for youths in crisis.

According to the company, it also offers:

• “Entrepreneurial and small business opportunities for and with economically disadvantaged individuals
• “Diverse youth opportunities to acquire and build life skills in an environment that encourages cross-cultural understanding and respect for individuals
• “Access to healthcare services for underserved individuals and families
• “Assistance, education and rehabilitation services for those suffering from physical and/or mental disabilities and life-threatening illnesses”

Pentair also provides basic needs and support services for youth in crisis. The program focuses on youth in kindergarten through 12th grade and concentrates in:

• “[Providing] school-to-work initiatives, including business concepts and their applications, work readiness, career development, and guidance on post-secondary education options
• “[Offering] alternative education methods and instruction that provide opportunities for students to excel and advance. A special emphasis is placed on environments, which recognize and support the individual needs and skill levels of students
• “[Supporting] and [enhancing] arts education by introducing students to art concepts, processes and applications.”

In addition, the program offers support to undergraduate programs in skill-specific trades such as business management and engineering.

“The mission of the Pentair Foundation is to enrich and advance the communities in which Pentair operated by funding local programs that promote education, vocational readiness, cultural understanding, self-sufficiency and general well-being, so people in these communities benefit by our presence,” the company says.