Pentair
Inc., a global leader in water products and systems, has announced an agreement
to acquire Hidro Filtros do Brasil, a leading manufacturer of water filters and
filtering elements for residential and industrial applications operating in Brazil and
neighboring countries. Hidro Filtros will operate under the brand name
"Pentair Hidro Filtros," and will be positioned within Pentair
Residential Filtration, a division of Pentair.
"The
acquisition of Hidro Filtros strengthens our position in the water filtration
market in Latin America, a key growth region
for Pentair," says Alok Maskara, president of Pentair Residential
Filtration LLC. "Hidro Filtros, a company highly respected for its
innovation, provides an expanding portfolio of new solutions for improving
water quality for people in Brazil
and neighboring countries. With the addition of Hidro Filtros, Pentair will be
better positioned to support market trends and serve customers in Latin America through expanded channels, a stronger sales
organization and local manufacturing capabilities.
Hidro
Filtros' headquarters and manufacturing facility is located in Caxias
do Sul, in the state of Rio
Grande do Sul. The company employs approximately 140
people, and had sales of more than $12 million during the last 12 months. Terms
of the agreement were not disclosed, and the transaction is expected to close
in the beginning of 2011.