Cleaning Industry Leaders Tackle Key Issues

They may not have the appeal, of say, The Three Tenors, but when the leaders of Ecolab, Clorox and Amway got together at the ACI annual meeting to discuss key issues impacting the global cleaning industry, they performed before a rapt audience.

Doug Baker, CEO, Ecolab, noted that the population will soar from 6 to 9 billion in the coming years, putting a strain on water and other natural resources. That’s why Ecolab purchased Nalco, a water treatment company, in 2011. As a result of that purchase and its existing product line, Baker said his company is well positioned to succeed in the coming years.

Similary, Don Knauss, CEO, Clorox, ticked off four key trends that will impact the global cleaning industry:
• Health and Wellness;
• Sustainability;
• Multicultural Shift; and
• Affordable Convenience.

With the limited time frame, Knauss focused his remarks on one issue, sustainability, noting that, in the past five years, Clorox had launched Green Works cleaners, acquired Burt’s Bees and revamped its Brita water filter business.

Finally, Amway Chairman Steve Van Andel pointed out that his company is committed to helping would-be entrepreneurs build business of their own around the world. In fact, 90% of Amway’s $11.3 billion in sales in fiscal 2012 took place outside the US, according to Van Andel.

“We still focus on people and building entrepreneurs in every country we go into,” explained Van Andel.