Ecolab sells surgical business for nearly $1 billion

Ecolab is offloading its global medical solutions business, selling its surgical unit to Medline Industries for just under $1 billion. The St. Paul based provider of water, hygiene and infection prevention solutions and services earned announced the $950 million deal with the Illinois-based private company Tuesday morning. Medline is one of the largest makers and distributors of medical supplies and has 38,000 employees with approximately $28 billion in annual sales. "We are pleased to have the opportunity to acquire a leading portfolio of operating room products with such a strong...