AKRON, Ohio – The Clorox Company on Thursday announced it will purchase Akron-based skin health and hygiene company GOJO Industries for $2.25 billion.
The acquisition will allow Clorox to expand its position in the health and hygiene industries thanks to GOJO’s line of skin-hygiene products, including Purell hand sanitizer, according to a GOJO news release. Clorox will use its distribution capabilities to boost growth for the Purell brand while GOJO’s business-to-business reach will assist Clorox’s professional business.
Goldie and Jerry Lippman founded GOJO in 1946. The original GOJO hand cleaner helped rubber factory workers effectively remove carbon and grease from their hands. The company’s annual sales are nearly $800 million and the Purell brand is the share leader in hand sanitizer in business-to-business and retail channels, according to the release.
“Clorox brings world-class consumer expertise, and they have the resources to accelerate our growth in retail channels. I’m incredibly excited about what’s ahead as we combine our leading brands, talented organizations and complementary capabilities to deliver best-in-class health and hygiene solutions to customers across the world,” GOJO Industries President and CEO Carey Jaros said in the release.
The transaction is valued at $2.25 billion, which includes anticipated tax benefits valued at approximately $330 million for a purchase price of $1.92 billion, according to the release. Clorox plans to fund the transaction primarily through debt financing. The transaction is expected to be finalized before the end of Clorox’s Fiscal Year 2026 and is subject to regulatory approval and other closing conditions.
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