U.S. Filter to Acquire Davis Water & Waste

In another move to expand its horizons in the water/wastewater field, <%=company%> has announced the signing of a definitive agreement with Davis Water & Waste Industries, Inc. to acquire that Thomasville, Georgia-based company. From U.S. Filter's headquarters in Palm Desert, California, Richard J. Heckmann, chairman and chief executive officer, said "We see Davis as a very strong entry into the growing municipal business in the United States." The agreement must wait for government and Davis shareholder approval, but that is expected by the end of August. The boards of both companies approved the transaction unanimously.

Davis designs, manufactures, markets and installs a variety of equipment and systems for the water utility business and the wastewater collection and treatment industry. R. Doyle White, Davis chairman and CEO, sees the merger as a means of broadening the firm's customer base, as well as expanding its geographical reach. He said, "Our current ability to provide complete turnkey water treatment plant design and construction can quickly be expanded to include the complementary lines from U.S. Filter."

Heckmann stated that the acquisition will enhance U.S. Filter's position as the "one-stop-shopping" source for industrial and municipal water/wastewater entities. He added that the combined balance sheets should also make Davis a formidable presence in the municipal privatization movement that is in its early stages in the United States.

U.S. Filter's annual revenues now are over $500,000,000 and it provides water and wastewater systems and services on a worldwide basis. The company is said to be the leading international provider of service deionization and out-sourced water services, including the operation of water purification and wastewater treatment systems at customer sites.