EO Johnson And Sterling Water Culligan Announce Strategic Business Deal

Local acquisition spurs area business growth

EO Johnson Business Technologies, a leading business technologies company, and Sterling Water Culligan, provider of quality water treatment, announce the sale of EO Johnson’s Pure Water Technology Division to Sterling Water. Finalized August 1, 2015, the sale fits both companies’ strategic plans for growth. The deal allows Sterling Water to provide more extensive point-of-use water system product offerings, and aids EO Johnson in focusing on its core business technologies offerings and IT services.

“Sterling Water is the right company to take care of our former Pure Water Technology customers,” said EO Johnson CEO and Owner Mary Jo Johnson. “That is very important to us as we value each and every one of our customers.”

Since completion of the sale, both companies have focused on notifying customers and transitioning the business. As part of the transition, Sterling Water welcomes Pure Water Technology’s three employees – Division Manager Pat Brogan and water installers Mike Fox and Randy Boneske – to its team.

“As the water treatment industry continues to grow, it’s wonderful that the Pure Water Technology business can remain local,” said Sterling Water President and Owner Bret Tangley.

According to Wells Fargo, the water treatment industry is set to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 7.9 percent to reach $18.80B by 2020. The strength of the industry coupled with the strength in local markets signal opportunity for small businesses like Sterling Water and EO Johnson to grow through sales and acquisitions.

“We are thrilled to welcome the customers of EO Johnson’s Pure Water Technology division to the Sterling Water Culligan family,” said Tangley. “Our approach to business is to not only exceed our customer’s expectations in products and service, but to treat our customers as we would our own family – with kindness and respect.”

Sterling Water Culligan is a third-generation family owned company that provides quality water solutions for residential, business, and commercial water treatment needs. Started in 1949, the company has offices in Eau Claire, Rothschild and Waupaca, Wisc., as well as Sauk Centre and Willmar, Minn.

“This sale is a great fit for both our companies,” said EO Johnson Vice President – Sales/Branch Operations Dave Johnson. “Bret Tangley and his team at Sterling Water have a very similar culture to EO Johnson.”

EO Johnson Business Technologies is a leading business technologies company, providing managed IT services, managed print and document management systems, and print and document equipment. Started in 1957 the company has offices in Wausau, Eau Claire, and La Crosse, Wisc., Minneapolis and Rochester, Minn., and Cedar Falls, Iowa.

For more information, visit www.culliganh2o.com or www.eojohnson.com.

About Sterling Water Culligan
The original Sterling Water had humble beginnings when its doors opened in Ellsworth, Wisconsin in September of 1949. The franchise has since grown into a four-dealership organization across Wisconsin and into Central Minnesota, and has been passed down through three generations.

Sterling Water has won multiple awards including “Excellence in Manufacturing” from the International Bottled Water Association in addition to “Top 25” and “Emmett J. Culligan” awards from Culligan International.