Ecolab Shuts Facilities, Fires 1,000

St. Paul-based sanitation supply firm Ecolab will cut 1,000 positions, including about 100 in Minnesota, affecting about 4% of the company’s 26,000-strong workforce.

Ecolab’s downtown St. Paul headquarters and its research center in Eagan will shed about 50 workers. MOst of the layoffs will be in  “non-customer facing areas.”

The cleaning products manufacturer will reduce the number of products it sells by 40%, close some plants and distribution centers, and shutter two health care business.

The company provides sanitation and pest control supplies, foodservice equipment repair & parts, and services & consulting to restaurants, hospitals, food and beverage plants, laundries, schools, retail and commercial properties.