4.07.2008 - 11:30am ET

(CSRwire) GAITHERSBURG, MD. - April 7, 2008 ― As part of its commitment to increase the sustainability of its operations, food and facilities management company Sodexo announced today that it will replace existing dishwashing products and systems in all its client sites in the United States with the new Ecolab Apex(TM) dishwashing system. Apex combines technology and products designed to save water and energy, minimize the impact of products on the environment, and has a built-in method of measuring results. Sodexo serves 6,000 clients in North America.

Apex uses a unique combination of detergents, rinse additives, equipment and consultative services to address the operational challenges in foodservice operations. The Apex management approach uses a tablet PC and wireless technology to communicate with the system's controller to download, process and analyze data to establish each foodservice operation's "rack-to-guest ratio." By monitoring and improving this ratio, the system helps reduce the amount of water and energy used at each facility, and improve total operational efficency.

Before making its decision to switch to Apex, Sodexo conducted field testing in a number of accounts over the course of one year. Most pilot sites saw either improved product performance using Apex and/or a reduction in operational costs. All locations, however, received the benefits of using less water, energy and labor, thus minimizing their operations' overall impact on the environment.

In addition, the Apex system further supports Sodexo's sustainability initiatives with non-caustic chemistry and 95 percent less packaging material than current methods. Apex products come in a compact solid form that significantly reduces transportation shipments compared to bulkier liquid detergents – all key factors in contributing to Sodexo's final decision.

"Sodexo is continuously looking for innovative approaches to conserving energy and water use and reducing waste and chemical usage in our facilities management and foodservice operations. Ecolab has been a strong partner in this effort," said Arlin Wasserman, vice president, corporate citizenship for Sodexo. "With foodservice operations using about five times more energy per square foot than typical office and other building operations, we know that Sodexo’s efforts are a key part of helping our clients meet their sustainability goals. We also know that small innovations like this one multiplied across the thousands of sites we serve is a key part of Sodexo contributing to global solutions."

"We're extremely excited to be partnering with Sodexo and utilizing our Apex warewashing system to help them drive their sustainability initiatives forward," said Mike Hickey, senior vice president, global business development for Ecolab. "As most industry experts know, only a very small percent of the cost in a commercial foodservice operation is due to the products. Instead, the bulk of the cost comes from labor, energy, water and other indirect expenses. Our new Apex system addresses all those issues and, by optimizing the number of racks washed, helps each Sodexo foodservice account reduce its overall operating costs and environmental impact."

Dow Jones has recognized Sodexo as a supersector worldwide leader on sustainability; Sodexo has been included in the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, World Index, and STOXX Sustainability Index for three consecutive years. Sodexo gained three-fold recognition in Sustainable Asset Management's (SAM) 2008 "Sustainability Yearbook," which identifies companies that combine economic performance with sustainability, among the world’s top 2,500 largest corporations.

Sodexo's corporate citizenship priorities include fighting hunger and malnutrition, improving the quality of life of our customers and employees, promoting health and wellness, conducting ethical business, and promoting sustainability. Sodexo's food and environmental platform in North America focuses on sourcing and providing locally grown foods, improving nutrition, promoting local economies, energy conservation and carbon reduction, reducing the use of toxic chemicals, integrated waste management and minimizing packaging.

Sodexo, Inc.

Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com) is a leading integrated food and facilities management services company in the U.S., Canada and Mexico, with $7.3 billion (USD) in annual revenue and 120,000 employees. Sodexo, Inc. serves more than ten million customers daily in corporations, health care, long term care and retirement centers, schools, college campuses, government and remote sites. Sodexo, Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., is a member of Sodexo Group, and funds the Sodexo Foundation (www.helpstophunger.org), an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $9.2 million in grants to fight hunger in America.

Ecolab, Inc.

With sales of $5.5 billion and more than 14,000 sales-and-service associates, Ecolab Inc. (NYSE: ECL) is the global leader in cleaning, sanitizing, food safety and infection prevention products and services. Ecolab delivers comprehensive programs and services to foodservice, food and beverage processing, healthcare, and hospitality markets in more than 160 countries. More news and information is available at www.ecolab.com.

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