Standard&Poor's Ratings Services' ratings on St. Paul, Minn.-based Ecolab Inc. reflect both its strong business profile as a global leader in a service-intensive specialty chemical business and its modest financial profile. Ecolab develops and markets cleaning, sanitizing, and maintenance products and services for the commercial food and health care sectors. It had trailing-12-month sales of about $6.2 billion as of March 31, 2011. Customers include food and beverage processors, health care facilities, restaurants, and lodging providers. The company manufactures and distributes many of its products and equipment through a global sales force and a network of facilities. The company's large direct sales force and access to a distribution network around the world give Ecolab a considerable competitive advantage
