ECOLAB INC. Annual Report, Year Ended Dec 31, 2002

Ecolab Inc. filed its 2002 10-K on March 6, 2003, detailing its business operations and financial performance for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2002. As an accelerated filer, Ecolab operates primarily in the industrial, institutional, and commercial markets, providing cleaning, sanitizing, and other related products and services. The report indicates a robust market capitalization of over $6.3 billion as of February 28, 2003, with approximately 130 million shares outstanding, suggesting investor confidence in the company's market position. Key areas of focus within the filing include the company's business segments, financial information by operating segment and geographic area, and management's discussion on financial condition and results of operations. Investors should pay close attention to the 'Selected Financial Data' and 'Management's Discussion and Analysis' sections for a deeper understanding of the company's financial health, revenue drivers, cost structures, and future outlook. The inclusion of financial statements for the Henkel-Ecolab joint venture also provides additional context on business activities and financial performance.