Pfizer to Acquire Purell From GOJO

MORRIS PLAINS, N.J. and AKRON, Ohio -- Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, a division of Pfizer Inc, has agreed to acquire the PURELL® line of instant hand sanitizers from GOJO Industries, Inc. Under the agreement, Pfizer will market PURELL to consumers through retail channels, such as supermarkets, drug stores, and mass merchandisers, while GOJO and its affiliate, QualPak, LLC, will market and sell PURELL through its current distribution channels to institutional customers, such as restaurants, hospitals, and schools. QualPak will manufacture PURELL for both Pfizer and GOJO. Financial terms were not announced.

This agreement will enable all parties to focus on their respective areas of strength and should lead to a significant expansion of the global instant hand sanitizer market. PURELL, which is designed to kills 99.99 percent of most common germs that may cause illness, is already a leading instant hand sanitizer in the United States.

The PURELL brand is a very good strategic fit for Pfizer, said Marc Robinson, president of Pfizer Consumer Healthcare, citing the business long track record of successfully marketing products to consumers that kill germs, such as Listerine® Mouthwash, Listerine PocketPaks® Oral Care Strips, and Neosporin® First Aid Products. Pfizers global reach, our deep understanding of consumers, and our robust new product development capabilities should ensure the rapid growth of this brand for many years to come.

PURELL joins an OTC portfolio for Pfizer that contains a host of well-known brands, including Listerine®, Listerine PocketPaks®, Benadryl®, Sudafed®, Zantac 75®, Neosporin®, Rogaine®, Lubriderm®, Visine®, Desitin®, Cortizone®, Unisom®, e.p.t.®, and Efferdent®.

The PURELL success story continues, said Joe Kanfer, CEO of GOJO. This alliance builds on the strengths and synergies of our companies and will accelerate our efforts to bring PURELL to the billions of people worldwide who need it, in both consumer and institutional markets.

GOJO Industries, Inc. distributes PURELL®, PROVON® and GOJO® brand professional skin care products and has nearly 60 years of leadership in improving well-being through hygiene and healthy skin. GOJO has products and programs to kill germs on hands and solve skin related problems in a variety of markets, including healthcare, foodservice, manufacturing, automotive, education and government.

GOJO is a privately held corporation headquartered in Akron, Ohio, with offices in the United Kingdom, Japan, Brazil, France, Mexico, and Hong Kong. QualPak, LLC, a GOJO affiliate, is a world-class OTC pharmaceutical manufacturer in Laurinburg, North Carolina. Pfizer Inc discovers, develops, manufactures, and markets leading prescription medicines for humans and animals and many of the world's best-known consumer brands. Pfizer Consumer Healthcare is the world's second-largest consumer healthcare company.

Source: GOJO