PEST ELIMINATION

2003 was another year of solid, double-digit growth for Pest Elimination as it continued to capitalize on the enormous cross-selling opportunities available within Institutional, Food & Beverage, Kay and other Ecolab accounts. Pest Elimination's performance was especially strong in the quickservice restaurant and food retail industries.

HIGHLIGHTS

> Won a number of valuable new food retail accounts, including a nationally prominent discount retailing chain, through the cross-divisional MarketGuard program. With MarketGuard, Pest Elimination's offerings are marketed in tandem with Kay and Professional Products offerings.

> Added to its Checkpoint Rodent Program with a line of exterior Discreet Bait Stations, which are rodent deterrent units placed strategically around the exterior of a facility. Designed to be indiscernible to a facility's customers, these units are offered in models that appear to be rocks or exhaust vents.

> Further grew its EcoSure food safety consulting business with the addition of key corporate accounts. These included several major restaurant chains and a discount retailer.

OUTLOOK

Sustaining the momentum generated throughout 2003, Pest Elimination expects to continue its strong growth in 2004. The division will maintain its focus on developing innovative product and service programs that address the unique needs of each specific market it serves. Pest Elimination will also work with its European associates to create operational synergies and leverage opportunities to secure new global accounts.