Washing Systems (WSI) Partners With Kao
August 9, 2018
Loveland, Ohio
Kao Corporation, a global leader in innovative cleaning applications and hygiene management is pleased to announce that they have completed the acquisition of Washing Systems (WSI), the leading provider of innovative wash processing, waste-water treatment and technical services to the commercial laundry industry. Current WSI President, John Walroth, will assume the role as CEO, and the current WSI management team will continue to lead the day-to-day business. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
WSI has achieved exceptional success in the North American and European commercial laundry market by delivering industry-leading wash products and processes for textile cleaning and waste water treatment chemistry, and by providing best-in-class service. In addition, the Ohio-based company has a proven track-record of environmental stewardship. The industry leader in moving to environmentally sustainable wash chemistry, Ohio-based WSI led the industry’s move to NPE-free chemistry and hygienically clean wash processing, and was the first for-profit enterprise to receive the Platinum Award (the highest award) from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency in 2017. WSI’s most recent innovation, TRUpath™, is the next significant innovation in environmental sustainability and is expected to revolutionize commercial wash processing by removing alkali in the wash process.
Shigeru Ueyama, Managing Executive Officer at Kao, said, “We are extremely excited to partner with WSI, the clear leader in its market. WSI’s long history of innovation, responsiveness to customer needs, and focus on environmental sustainability aligns extremely well with Kao’s philosophy. We look forward to supporting WSI’s leadership in maintaining the highest levels of service and continued product innovation to WSI’s customers.”
Walroth commented, “This is a great time for WSI. We are excited to have the resources and long-term support from such a successful global company as Kao. Our people are especially excited to partner with such a company that shares our philosophy of investing in product innovation and exceptional customer service. We will now have the ability to take advantage of both longer-term planning and strategic investments, and this ultimately provides us a great opportunity to even better support our customers.”
About Washing Systems (WSI)
WSI is the leading provider of products and services to the commercial laundry market with an outstanding track record of delivering comprehensive technological innovations and best-in-class service protocols. In addition, WSI, an Ohio-based company, has a proven track record of environmental stewardship, and was the first for-profit enterprise to receive the Platinum Award (the highest award) from the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency in 2017.
About Kao Corporation
Kao creates high-value-added products that enrich the lives of consumers around the world. Through its portfolio of over 20 leading brands such as Jergens, John Frieda, Molton Brown, Oribe, Attack, Bioré, Goldwell, Kanebo, Laurier, Merries and Kao is part of the everyday lives of people in Asia, Oceania, North America and Europe. Combined with its chemical division, which contributes to a wide range of industries, Kao generates about 1,500 billion yen in annual sales. Kao employs about 33,000 people worldwide and has 130 years of history in innovation. Please visit the Kao Group website for updated information.