SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

 

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):   February 28, 2004

 

 

ECOLAB INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

Delaware

 

1-9328

 

41-0231510

(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation)

 

(Commission
File Number)

 

(IRS Employer
Identification No.)

 

 

370 Wabasha Street North, St. Paul, Minnesota

 

55102

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

 

Registrant’s telephone number, include area code:  651-293-2233

 

 

(Not applicable)

(Former name or former address, if changed from last report.)

 

 

 

Item 5.             Other Events and Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

The Board of Directors of Ecolab Inc. announced a leadership transition plan under which, effective July 1, 2004, Douglas M. Baker, Jr., currently Ecolab’s President and Chief Operating Officer, will succeed Allan L. Schuman as Chief Executive Officer.  Mr. Shuman will remain Chairman of the Board; the Board anticipates he will remain as Chairman until at least December 31, 2005.

 

Also, effective February 28, 2004, the Board of Directors of Ecolab Inc. expanded the size of the Board from 13 to 14 members, and appointed Douglas M. Baker, Jr. as a Director.

 

A copy of the News Release issued by Ecolab in connection with this Item 5 is attached as Exhibit 99.

 

Item 7.    Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(c) Exhibits.

 

(99)  Ecolab Inc. News Release dated March 1, 2004.

 

 

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 hereunto duly authorized.

 

 

ECOLAB INC.

 

 

 

 

 

By:

/s/Lawrence T. Bell

 

 

 

Lawrence T. Bell

 

 

 

Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary

 

 

 

Date:   March 1, 2004

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

 

Exhibit No.

 

Description

 

Method Of Filing

 

 

 

 

 

(99)

 

Ecolab Inc. News Release dated March 1, 2004.

 

Filed herewith electronically.

 

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