Culligan International and Waterlogic Group Holdings Announce Merger

Culligan International and Waterlogic Group Holdings announce combination to create a leader in sustainable drinking water solutions and services

• Combination will accelerate delivery of sustainable consumer and commercial water solutions and services, providing clean, safe and soft water to more than 100 million consumers globally
• Complementary geographic and business profiles will help drive growth by bringing these solutions to both existing and new markets and additional distribution channels
• The combined company will save more than 40 billion plastic bottles annually through sustainable water filtration, purification and treatment solutions

ROSEMONT, IL, USA and MAIDENHEAD, UK – Culligan International (“Culligan”), the innovative brand in consumer-focused sustainable water solutions and services, and Waterlogic Group Holdings (“Waterlogic”), a global designer, manufacturer, distributor and service provider of purified drinking water dispensers, today announced that they have signed a definitive agreement to combine and create a leader in clean and sustainable drinking water solutions and services.

Culligan is a leading global consumer water solutions and services provider whose mission is to deliver clean, safe and soft water to improve consumers’ health and wellness and reduce single-use plastics. Waterlogic has pioneered the application of advanced technology in the design of its water dispensers for offices, healthcare, education, hospitality, and public settings to deliver sustainable and safe water.

Together, the combined company will shape the future of clean and sustainable drinking water globally, providing water solutions and services for customers at home, at work, at leisure and on-the-go. The transaction brings additional scale and expertise to drive innovation in the development of new water filtration, purification and treatment solutions, expanding those to both existing and new markets, and additional distribution channels. In addition, by addressing the fundamental need for the provision of clean, safe, soft, and sustainably sourced water and the reduction of single-use plastics, the combined company and its customers will help deliver against the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (“SDGs”) and meet their respective leading Environmental, Social and Governance (“ESG”) commitments.

Scott Clawson, Chief Executive Officer of Culligan International, said: “For more than eight decades, Culligan has served as a leading provider of water treatment solutions and services for consumers. Our focus has been on driving innovation, delivering the best consumer experience and providing solutions that are both good for people and the planet, while also moving the market forward. Today’s announcement represents an important step in our evolution toward those goals as we add Waterlogic’s talent, distribution partners and innovative technology to our complementary offerings around the globe. Together with the Waterlogic team, we believe we can drive the future of clean and sustainable drinking water solutions globally and serve a broader group of customers in the $250 billion global consumer water market.”

Jeremy Ben-David, Founder and Group Chief Executive Officer of Waterlogic, said: “The cultural, strategic and industrial logic of this transaction is clear and compelling. Both Waterlogic and Culligan are purpose-led businesses with ESG engrained in our operations. Innovation has been a key driving factor in the historical success of both companies and together, our far-reaching global footprint across multiple markets will empower us to have an even greater positive impact on people and the environment byScott and the Culligan team and am excited about the future we will be able to offer to our customers, employees, partners and the communities we serve.”

Leadership and Governance
The combined company will be led by Mr. Clawson, Chief Executive Officer of Culligan. The Waterlogic leadership team will play a critical role in the combined company, with Mr. Ben-David serving as Chief Executive Officer EMEA and a member of the Executive Leadership Team, and continuing his role as Chief Executive Officer Waterlogic once the transaction is complete.

Funds managed by BDT Capital Partners, LLC (“BDT”), a merchant bank that provides closely held businesses with long-term, differentiated capital, acquired a majority interest in Culligan in July 2021. BDT and its co-investors will be the majority shareholder of the combined company. Waterlogic was acquired in January 2015 by funds managed by Castik Capital, the European private equity investor, alongside Waterlogic management. Castik Capital focuses on identifying and developing investment opportunities across Europe where long-term value can be generated through active partnerships with management teams. Castik Capital, Waterlogic’s management team and other existing Waterlogic shareholders will maintain a meaningful minority ownership position in Culligan going forward. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Approvals and Closing
The transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2022, subject to the receipt of regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. Until the transaction closes, both companies will provide regular updates and continue to operate business as usual as two independent companies.

ABOUT CULLIGAN INTERNATIONAL
Founded in 1936 and headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois, Culligan International is a world leader in delivering premium water services and solutions that improve the health and wellness of consumers. Committed to sustainable solutions, the company offers some of the most technologically advanced water filtration and treatment services and solutions available, including water softeners, drinking water systems, and whole-house systems for homeowners and bottleless coolers for businesses. Culligan’s network of dealers and direct operations is the largest in its industry, with more than 7,500 employees and 1,000 dealers in 90 countries. Culligan’s 35+ brands serve more than 50 million consumers every year and share a mission of bringing better water to consumers anywhere they need it – in the home, at work or on-the-go. For more information visit: www.corporate.culligan.com.

ABOUT WATERLOGIC
Waterlogic is an innovative designer, manufacturer, distributor and service provider of drinking water dispensers and accessories designed for environments such as offices, factories, hospitals, restaurants, hotels, schools and public spaces. From freestanding, countertop and integrated dispensers to high-volume hospitality solutions, water filling stations, fountains and boilers, every solution focuses on delivering the best quality water in the safest and most sustainable way. Waterlogic has its own subsidiaries in 23 countries. In addition, Waterlogic’s extensive independent global distribution network spans over 50 countries around the world in North and South America, Europe, Asia, Australia and South Africa. For more information visit: www.waterlogic.com.