Clorox Acquires Gojo Industries

The Clorox Company has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Gojo Industries, maker of Purell hand sanitizers, for $2.25 billion in cash, including anticipated tax benefits valued at approximately $330 million for a net purchase price of $1.92 billion.

Gojo, ranked No. 23 in Happi’s 2025 Top 50 Report, will continue to be based in Ohio.

For Clorox, adding Purell expands its position in health and hygiene for consumers and institutional end users (I&I).

“The Clorox acquisition of GOJO is a strategically strong move, bringing the market‑leading Purell hand hygiene portfolio into Clorox’s surface‑cleaning and disinfecting‑focused product lineup,” Laura Mahecha, director, agrochemicals and professional cleaning products, at Kline, told Happi. “For Gojo—a company that has experienced multiple ownership transitions—joining Clorox means its hand‑care‑centered offerings will now sit within a trusted, highly recognized brand portfolio valued by both consumers and jan/san professionals. Because both Clorox and Gojo are synonymous with sanitizing and disinfection, the merger is a natural fit.”

Gojo was founded in 1946 by Goldie and Jerry Lippman. The family enterprise has grown to $800 million in annual sales and has a long history of delivering mid–single‑digit growth with a three-year CAGR of 5%. Its portfolio of hand hygiene solutions generates more than 80% of revenue through a broad and stable network of B2B distributors underpinned by roughly 20 million soap and sanitizer dispensers that drive recurring demand.

The Purell brand holds the #1 share position in hand sanitizer across both B2B and retail channels.

“Gojo’s deep commitment to innovation and delivering superior value in skin hygiene has built Purell into one of the most trusted names in homes, healthcare facilities, schools and businesses around the world — name that is virtually synonymous with skin hygiene. This strong foundation, coupled with a large installed base and deep relationships in the fast-growing B2B channel has driven decades of consistent performance,” said Linda Rendle, chair and chief executive officer of The Clorox Company.

In the professional cleaning market specifically, the acquisition positions Clorox to become a leader in restroom care by adding Purell hand soaps, sanitizers, and dispensers to its existing suite of disinfecting wipes, floor-, surface-, and toilet bowl cleaners, according to Kline, which this year will release a new analysis and opportunities report on the US industrial and institutional hand care market.

“The move also strengthens Clorox’s existing product offerings to healthcare, education, retail, hospitality, and other industrial and institutional facilities,” Mahecha added.

A ‘Compelling’ Acquisition

Rendell called it “a compelling acquisition” that evolves Clorox’s portfolio and “scales our fastest growing, most profitable operating segment – Health and Wellness – as we execute our IGNITE strategy to deliver long-term shareholder value.” 

“This is a momentous day for all of us at Gojo,” said Carey Jaros, president and chief executive officer of Gojo Industries. “Gojo and Clorox are united by our shared commitment to make the world a cleaner and healthier place. I have long admired Clorox’s ability to create great consumer brands and products that are beloved in households around the world. Clorox brings world-class consumer expertise, and they have the resources to accelerate our growth in retail channels. I’m incredibly excited about what’s ahead as we combine our leading brands, talented organizations and complementary capabilities to deliver best-in-class health and hygiene solutions to customers across the world. And I’m proud to carry forward the 80-year legacy of the Lippman Kanfer Family, who founded and led the business for three generations in Northeast Ohio.”

Gojo also shared an open letter on its website when the deal was announced. The letter, penned by  Marcella Kanfer Rolnick, executive chair, Gojo Industries, and Joe Kanfer, states:

“We chose this path because it allows GOJO to grow at the scale and speed needed to continue leading our industry and to expand the impact you make every day. 

Our Purpose of “Saving Lives and Making Life Better through Well-Being Solutions” has always been our North Star, guiding us to solve important human problems and improve health and well-being. It guided us to this moment, too.”

Joe Kafner became president of Gojo in the mid 1970s and then chairman and CEO in 2005.

The letter continued, ”In addition to our trusted brands, the Clorox team has been very clear about how much they value the significant assets we have developed within Gojo: our best-in-class B2B capabilities, our transformational innovation, our resilient supply chain, our strong culture, and, most importantly, our exceptional people.”

Near- and Long-Term Benefits

The acquisition of Gojo is expected to deliver both near- and long-term strategic benefits to Clorox.

For Clorox it advances the firm’s portfolio and expands Clorox’s position in health and hygiene, including its–reach across B2B and retail channels.

The deal combines Gojo’s commercial, manufacturing, R&D and regulatory capabilities with Clorox’s strengths to create a best-in-class B2B platform, according to the companies. 

Further, Clorox Company noted “cultural and organizational compatibility.”

Clorox plans to fund the transaction primarily through debt financing.

The transaction is expected to be completed before the end of Clorox’s fiscal year 2026, subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.

Clorox’s Fiscal 2026 Outlook 

Excluding the impact from the transaction, Clorox reaffirms its fiscal year 2026 outlook for net sales, diluted EPS and adjusted EPS as provided in its Nov. 3, 2025 earnings release when the company guided to the lower end of the range.

“Our plans for the year remain on track, and we’re confirming our top and bottom-line outlook. We remain laser‑focused on executing our back half plans, supported by a strong pipeline of innovation and a robust demand‑creation plan. Given the complementary business, operations and culture of GOJO Industries, we are excited to seamlessly integrate this acquisition while staying on track to achieve our strategic and financial priorities,” said Rendle.