Brown's New Role in Water Underscores Company's Focus on Growth
GOLDEN VALLEY, Minn., March 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pentair
(NYSE: PNR) today announced that Charles M. Brown will rejoin the company as
president and chief operating officer of Pentair Water Group's Pump and Pool
operations, effective April 4. This newly created position will report to the
Office of the Chairman, which consists of Pentair Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer Randall J. Hogan and Vice Chairman Richard J. Cathcart. Brown had
served as president and chief operating officer of Pentair's Tools Group from
2003 until it was acquired by Black & Decker Corporation in October 2004.
"I am delighted Charley is rejoining Pentair, where his talent will be
deployed in water, our largest group and one with high market growth
potential," said Hogan. "Charley is a proven leader with a demonstrated
understanding of Pentair's values and operating disciplines. His leadership,
combined with the already strong leadership in our Water Group, will
accelerate growth and capture even greater benefits from Pentair's operating
initiatives."
Hogan added, "The water markets remain an attractive opportunity for
Pentair. This appointment is another example of our commitment to deploy
talent to capture growth opportunities and drive shareholder value." In
February, the company named Cathcart vice chairman with new responsibilities
for international growth and business development in addition to his
continuing role as strategic leader of the Water Group. Brown's appointment
supplements Cathcart's strategic leadership with an intensified focus in the
Pump and Pool and Spa operations.
Brown rejoins Pentair from Black & Decker, where he assisted in the
integration of the former Pentair Tools business. Prior to 2003, when he first
joined Pentair, Brown served as president of Aqua Glass Corporation, a unit of
Masco Corporation, a position he had held since 1996. From 1993 to 1996, Brown
served as vice president of marketing for Delta Faucet, another Masco
business, where he was responsible for worldwide marketing and strategic
planning.
From 1988 to 1993, Brown held a series of progressively responsible
positions with Black & Decker. Prior to that, he was a product director with
the McNeil Consumer Products Division of Johnson & Johnson. Brown holds a
bachelor's degree in economics and political science from Cornell University
in Ithaca, NY, and a master's of business administration from the Kellogg
Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University in Evanston,
Illinois.
Pentair Pump is a leader in the global water and wastewater pump industry.
It serves a range of markets including residential, commercial and municipal
applications for sump, well and waste water; turf and agricultural spraying
and irrigation; fire protection; car wash; marine; heating, ventilation and
air conditioning; and water treatment. Pentair Pump products range from
light-duty diaphragm pumps to high-flow turbine pumps and solid handling pumps
designed for water and wastewater applications, agricultural spraying, as well
as pressure tanks for residential applications. Pentair Pump brands include
STA-RITE, Myers, Hypro, Hydromatic and Fairbanks Morse, among others. Bill
Waltz, president and general manager of Pump operations, will report to Brown.
Pentair Water Pool and Spa is the leading global manufacturer of pool and
spa equipment and accessories used for residential and commercial pools and
spas, water parks and commercial aquariums. The business serves the
residential, commercial, and municipal markets for domestic and international
in-ground and above-ground pools, spas, jetted tubs, aquarium, pond and
aquaculture applications. Pentair Water Pool and Spa offers a complete line of
commercial and residential pool and spa equipment and accessories including
pumps, filters, heaters, lights, colored lighting, automated controls,
automatic pool cleaners, commercial deck equipment, barbeque deck islands,
aquatic pond products and accessories, pool tile and interior finishing
surfaces, maintenance equipment, spa/jetted tub hydrotherapy fittings and
pool/spa accessories. Pentair Pool and Spa brands include Pentair Pool
Products, Sta-Rite, National Pool Tile Group, Paragon Aquatics, Pentair
Aquatics and Kreepy Krauly, among others. Scott Levin, president and general
manager of Pool and Spa operations, will also report to Brown.
About Pentair, Inc.
Pentair ( http://www.pentair.com ) is a diversified operating company
headquartered in Minnesota. Its Water Group is a global leader in providing
innovative products and systems used worldwide in the movement, treatment,
storage and enjoyment of water. Pentair's Enclosures Group is a leader in the
global enclosures market, designing and manufacturing standard, modified and
custom enclosures that house and protect sensitive electronics and electrical
components. With 2004 revenues from continuing operations of $2.28 billion, or
$2.76 billion on a pro forma basis, Pentair has approximately 13,000 employees
worldwide.
Any statements made about the company's anticipated financial results are
forward-looking statements subject to risks and uncertainties such as
continued economic growth; the ability to integrate the WICOR acquisition
successfully and the risk that expected synergies may not be fully realized or
may take longer to realize than expected; foreign currency effects; retail and
industrial demand; product introductions; and pricing and other competitive
pressures. Forward-looking statements included herein are made as of the date
hereof, and the company undertakes no obligation to update publicly such
statements to reflect subsequent events or circumstances. Actual results could
differ materially from anticipated results.
SOURCE Pentair
CONTACT:
Rachael Jarosh
Communications
+1-763-656-5280
[email protected]
Mark Cain
Investor Relations
+1-763-656-5278
[email protected] , both of Pentair