From: Anonymous CCXXXVI

Sent: Thursday, September 25, 2003 4:50 PM

To: gsg@sellnext.com

Subject: US Filter

 

Veolia [Vivendi Environmental] to sell USFilter businesses to offset $13 billion loss

 

PALM DESERT, CA — Veolia Environnement, the parent company of USFilter, has

announced plans to sell USFilter's Consumer & Commercial business, which

includes the Culligan and Everpure brands. The proceeds of these sales

would be used to reduce Veolia's $13 billion debt load, according to a

company news release.

 

Veolia will also sell the combined USFilter Systems and Services & Products

business, the company said on Sept. 24. It will retain USFilter's Operating

Services and Engineering & Construction business, however.

 

"As Veolia more precisely defined their strategic focus around long-term

operating contracts, much of the USFilter business scope fell outside of

their definition," said USFilter CEO Andy Seidel.

 

The Culligan and Everpure businesses are market leaders in residential and

commercial water treatment, with annual sales of over $740 million, the

release said.

 

The USFilter Systems and Services & Products (equipment and industrial

services) business is the largest water and wastewater treatment equipment

and associated services company in the world, with annual revenues of $1.2

billion, the company reported.

 

Veolia Environnement is the largest environmental services company in the

world with more than 295,000 employees in about 100 countries with annual

revenues of approximately $31.5 billion, the release said.