ECOLAB INC. (+) : NRA Show Meeting Highlights; Outperform

Research evidence excerpt

ECOLAB INC. (+) : NRA Show Meeting Highlights; Outperform

EQUITIES

BUSINESS SERVICES

ECOLAB INC. OUTPERFORMPRICE* USD249.2  TARGET PRICE USD345 (UPSIDE 38%)

FLASH NOTE

NRA Show Meeting Highlights; Outperform

19 MAY 2026 Securities Research Report Production time: 11:09* (London time)

Research Analyst & Publishing Entities

Seth Weber BNP Paribas Securities Corp (1) +1 (934) 444-8613 seth.weber@us.bnpparibas.com

What happened?

We attended ECL’s May 18 event at the National Restaurant Assoc. show where mgmt. highlighted products/tech that

underpin its evolving model, including leveraging more data/digital tools and a more holistic customer approach. Closer

in, ECL reiterated that previously disclosed energy-related surcharges are in place (much smoother/faster process

relative to prior shocks), with dollar recapture expected with 2Q exit and gross margin neutral in 2H.

A more holistic approach. ECL, relative to history, is focusing on providing a more comprehensive/cross-division suite

of solutions to customers (i.e., evolve from products to programs) to enhance/increase total customer value delivered.

The solutions increase ECL’s value prop/create a stickier relationship, which should support more productive pricing

conversations. The enterprise strategy leverages corporate accounts teams (with aligned comp), predictive/prescriptive

analytics, and data collection from connected devices that enable customers to see best-in-class metrics from across

an enterprise and relative to peers.

ECL’s KitchenIQ digital restaurant management platform is ramping (approaching ~$100M), reflecting operators’ need

to manage costs and improve productivity in an industry with well documented headwinds (e.g., inflation, employment,

foot traffic).