M&A Acquirer Playbook

CLOROX CO /DE/ acquisition history.

Every deal, price, and strategic rationale.

Company CLOROX CO /DE/

SEC CIK 0000021076

Tracked filings EDGAR · 8-K

Total deals tracked

Disclosed 8-K acquisitions, 2007 — present.

Aggregate disclosed value

$4.1B

Over $4.1 billion across 6 disclosed acquisitions — anchored by the $2.25B GOJO/Purell deal, Clorox's largest ever.

Active acquisition years

2007 · 2012 · 2016 · 2018 · 2026

a steady cadence of one health-and-wellness brand deal per active year.

Primary sectors

Health, wellness and natural consumer brands

GOJO/Purell in skin hygiene; Renew Life and Nutranext in supplements; Burt's Bees in natural personal care; Aplicare/HealthLink in professional infection control.

Verified 6 deals on this page · sourced from SEC filings

All cross-references covered.

Timeline

6 deals, $4.1B deployed.

Plotted by close date where disclosed, otherwise announcement. Click any marker to jump to the deal entry.

The playbook

The rationale that repeats.

Three patterns show up across CLOROX's deal book — what the team buys, how it pays, and how it integrates. The patterns are the throughline; the individual deals below are the evidence.

Acquisition criteria

Buying into health, wellness and hygiene.

Clorox's biggest checks consistently extend a portfolio it describes as 'firmly rooted in health and wellness, first through the disinfecting properties of bleach.' The $2.25 billion GOJO/Purell deal scaled skin hygiene, while Burt's Bees ($925M), Renew Life ($290M) and Nutranext ($700M) pushed into natural personal care and dietary supplements — each framed as entry into a fast-growing, higher-margin category.

GOJO Industries, Inc. (Purell)Burt's BeesRenew Life (Renew Life Holdings Corporation)Nutranext (Nutranext, LLC and New NeoCell, LLC)Aplicare, Inc. and HealthLink

Capital deployment

Bolt-ons onto an existing platform.

Clorox layers related deals onto businesses it already owns rather than buying in isolation. Nutranext was acquired through its ReNew Life Holdings subsidiary, stacking supplement brands on top of the 2016 Renew Life probiotics buy; Aplicare and HealthLink deepened the Clorox Healthcare and Dispatch professional infection-control lines. Management repeatedly frames these as 'bolt-on acquisitions of leading brands into fast-growing categories with attractive margins.'

GOJO Industries, Inc. (Purell)Burt's BeesRenew Life (Renew Life Holdings Corporation)Nutranext (Nutranext, LLC and New NeoCell, LLC)Aplicare, Inc. and HealthLink

Integration approach

All-cash deals, debt-funded, with discipline.

Clorox structures its acquisitions as cash purchases — Burt's Bees and Renew Life all cash, Nutranext a mix of available cash and debt, and GOJO funded primarily through debt financing while management points to maintaining leverage within a stated target range. The company is candid about near-term EPS dilution (Nutranext was guided to dilute EPS before turning accretive in FY2020) in exchange for entry into structurally higher-growth categories.

GOJO Industries, Inc. (Purell)Burt's BeesRenew Life (Renew Life Holdings Corporation)Nutranext (Nutranext, LLC and New NeoCell, LLC)Aplicare, Inc. and HealthLink

Deal book · 6 acquisitions

The full deal book.

6 acquisitions. Click any row to see the deal value, financing structure, target revenue, executive commentary, and the original SEC filing — the evidence behind the patterns above.

GOJO Industries, founded in 1946 by Goldie and Jerry Lippman, is the maker of Purell, the No. 1 share brand in hand sanitizer across both B2B and retail channels. GOJO has grown to nearly $800 million in annual sales with a three-year revenue CAGR of about 5%. More than 80% of its revenue comes through a broad, stable network of B2B distributors, underpinned by roughly 20 million soap and sanitizer dispensers that drive recurring demand.

Why it was attractive

01 No. 1 share position in hand sanitizer across B2B and retail
02 recurring demand from roughly 20 million installed dispensers
03 scales Clorox's fastest-growing
04 most profitable Health and Wellness operating segment

Capabilities acquired

Hand sanitizersoapskin hygienedispenser installed baseB2B distribution

GOJO's deep commitment to innovation and delivering superior value in skin hygiene has built Purell into one of the most trusted names in homes, healthcare facilities, schools and businesses around the world - a name that is virtually synonymous with skin hygiene. This strong foundation, coupled with a large installed base and deep relationships in the fast-growing B2B channel has driven decades of consistent performance.

Linda Rendle Chair and Chief Executive Officer, The Clorox Company

Deal value

$2.25B

$2.25 billion (including anticipated tax benefits of approximately $330 million; net purchase price approximately $1.92 billion)

Terms

AnnouncedJan 2026

ClosedApr 2026

StructureFull acquisition

Considerationall cash

Financials

Target revenue / EBITDANearly $800 million in annual sales (three-year CAGR of about 5%)

Cash impact / synergiesClorox's scale, innovation and distribution to accelerate Purell's consumer growth; GOJO's B2B reach to bolster Clorox's professional business. Funded primarily through debt financing.

Deal facts

GeographyUnited States (Akron, Ohio); products sold worldwide

SegmentHealth and Wellness - Skin health & hygiene

Integration unitClorox Health and Wellness operating segment

Integration timelineAnnounced January 22, 2026 (definitive membership interest purchase agreement); completed April 1, 2026

Fundingall cash.

SEC 8-K · GOJO Industries

Founded in 1984, Burt's Bees is the leading natural personal care brand in the U.S. and is regarded among many consumers of natural personal care products as the 'most natural' personal care brand. The acquisition gave Clorox entry into the highly fragmented U.S. natural personal care market, which at the time represented about $6.4 billion in sales and was growing at about 9 percent annually.

Why it was attractive

01 Leading brand in the high-growth
02 higher-margin U.S. natural personal care category
03 margin structure highly accretive to Clorox
04 strong alignment with health
05 wellness and sustainability megatrends

Capabilities acquired

Natural personal carelip careskin caresustainability credentials

This acquisition allows us to enter a growing market that's consistent with consumer megatrends. With this transaction, we're entering into a new strategic phase for our company, enabling us to expand further into the natural/sustainable business platform. The Burt's Bees brand is well-anchored in sustainability and health and wellness, and we believe it will benefit from natural and 'green' tailwinds.

Donald R. Knauss Chairman and CEO, The Clorox Company

Burt's Bees is a compelling strategic fit for us, and we believe we can expand on its strong trends over time to build even greater value.

Beth Springer Executive Vice President - Strategy & Growth, The Clorox Company

Deal value

$925M

approximately $925 million (net of an additional $25 million payment for anticipated tax benefits)

Terms

AnnouncedOct 2007

ClosedNov 2007

StructureMerger

Considerationall cash

Financials

Cash impact / synergiesCombined with Green Works natural cleaning products and Brita water-filtration, Clorox could leverage Burt's Bees' capabilities and credibility to build a higher-growth natural/sustainable platform.

Deal facts

GeographyUnited States (Durham, North Carolina)

SegmentLifestyle - Natural personal care

Integration unitClorox Lifestyle segment (natural personal care)

Integration timelineAnnounced October 31, 2007 (Agreement and Plan of Merger dated October 30, 2007 via Buzz Acquisition Corp. merger sub); completed November 30, 2007

Not disclosed in filing Target revenue / EBITDA

Fundingall cash.

SEC 8-K · Burt's Bees

Renew Life is a leading brand in dietary health with an emphasis on digestive health and is the No. 1 brand of probiotics in the natural channel, with a growing share in the food, drug and mass channels. In calendar year 2015 Renew Life generated sales of about $115 million with gross margins generally in line with the Clorox Company average. Clorox acquired the business from Swander Pace Capital and other shareholders.

Why it was attractive

01 No. 1 probiotics brand in the natural channel in a $10 billion
02 ~7% annual-growth digestive supplement market
03 with the probiotics subcategory growing about 15% per year
04 gross margins in line with Clorox average

Capabilities acquired

Probioticsdigestive health supplementsdietary health

For more than 100 years, the Clorox portfolio has been firmly rooted in health and wellness, first through the disinfecting properties of bleach, and later extending into Brita and Burt's Bees to meet the needs of health conscious consumers. The Renew Life acquisition is consistent with our strategy to accelerate growth through bolt-on acquisitions of leading brands into fast-growing categories with attractive margins.

Benno Dorer Chief Executive Officer, The Clorox Company

Deal value

$290M

approximately $290 million in cash (subject to post-closing adjustments; about 2.5x sales)

Terms

AnnouncedMay 2016

ClosedMay 2016

StructureFull acquisition

Considerationall cash

Financials

Target revenue / EBITDAAbout $115 million in calendar year 2015 sales

Cash impact / synergiesExpected to add nearly 2 percentage points of sales to Clorox's top line in fiscal 2017; leverages Clorox's brand-building and distribution-expansion capabilities.

Deal facts

GeographyUnited States

SegmentHealth & Wellness - Digestive health / probiotics

Integration unitClorox Health and Wellness segment (later parent of the Nutranext supplements business)

Integration timelineAnnounced May 3, 2016; closed May 2, 2016

Fundingall cash.

SEC 8-K · Renew Life (Renew Life Holdings Corporation)

Nutranext is a health and wellness company based in Sunrise, Florida that manufactures and markets leading dietary supplement brands across retail, e-commerce and direct-to-consumer channels. Brands include Rainbow Light multivitamins (No. 2 vitamin brand in the natural channel), Natural Vitality specialty minerals (No. 1 anti-stress and sleep brand in the natural channel), NeoCell hair/skin/nails supplements, and the direct-to-consumer Stop Aging Now brand. About 90 percent of Nutranext sales are in the U.S. In calendar year 2017 Nutranext generated sales of about $200 million.

Why it was attractive

01 Leading supplement brands in fast-growing
02 attractive-gross-margin health and wellness categories
03 significant scale and breadth added to the supplements platform begun with Renew Life

Capabilities acquired

Multivitaminsspecialty mineralssupplementse-commerce and direct-to-consumer marketing

Adding Nutranext to our portfolio is consistent with our strategy to accelerate growth through acquisitions of leading brands in fast-growing categories with attractive gross margins and a focus on health and wellness. We're looking forward to leveraging our proven capabilities in brand building, including innovation and digital marketing, as well as strong partnerships in retail and e-commerce to accelerate growth of Nutranext brands.

Benno Dorer Chairman and CEO, The Clorox Company

I am excited Nutranext is joining the Clorox family, a company distinguished by its innovation and like-minded mission of developing products that enhance the lives of consumers every day. I am confident that with Clorox, Nutranext brands are well positioned for the next phase of growth.

Jose Minski Founder and CEO, Nutranext

Deal value

$700M

$700 million (about 3.5x calendar year 2017 sales)

Terms

AnnouncedMar 2018

ClosedApr 2018

StructureFull acquisition

Considerationcombination

Financials

Target revenue / EBITDAAbout $200 million in calendar year 2017 sales

Cash impact / synergiesExpected to dilute EPS by 7-11 cents in Q4 FY2018 and 8-12 cents in FY2019, then be accretive in FY2020; acquired through subsidiary ReNew Life Holdings Corporation.

Deal facts

GeographyUnited States (Sunrise, Florida); ~90% of sales in the U.S.

SegmentHealth & Wellness - Dietary supplements

Integration unitClorox Health and Wellness segment, under ReNew Life Holdings Corporation

Integration timelineAnnounced March 12, 2018; completed April 2, 2018; expected to maintain Debt/EBITDA within the 2.0x-2.5x target range

Fundingcombination (available cash and debt financing).

SEC 8-K · Nutranext (Nutranext

Aplicare, Inc. and HealthLink are leading providers of infection control products. Clorox acquired the businesses during fiscal year 2012 to increase its exposure to faster-growing categories and expand the breadth and depth of its health care portfolio, alongside the Clorox Healthcare and Dispatch professional product lines.

Why it was attractive

01 Leading infection-control brands expanding Clorox's higher-growth professional health care portfolio (Clorox Healthcare
02 Dispatch)

Capabilities acquired

Infection control productspatient pre-operative skin prephealthcare hygiene

The Company also acquired HealthLink and Aplicare, Inc., leading providers of infection control products that increase the Company's exposure to faster-growing categories and expand the breadth and depth of the Company's health care portfolio, as well as Soy Vay Enterprises, Inc., which makes Asian marinades and dressings.

The Clorox Company FY2012 10-K Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis

Deal value

Not disclosed

Terms

AnnouncedJun 2012

ClosedJun 2012

StructureFull acquisition

ConsiderationNot disclosed

Deal facts

GeographyUnited States

SegmentProfessional Products / Cleaning - Infection control

Integration unitClorox Professional Products / health care portfolio

Integration timelineAcquired during fiscal year 2012 (fiscal year ended June 30, 2012); deal value not separately disclosed in SEC filings

Not disclosed in filing Target revenue / EBITDA · Cash impact / synergies

Funding(not disclosed).

SEC 8-K · Aplicare

Soy Vay Enterprises, Inc. makes Asian marinades and dressings. Clorox acquired the brand during fiscal year 2012 as a bolt-on to its food products portfolio (alongside Hidden Valley and KC Masterpiece).

Why it was attractive

01 Bolt-on brand extending Clorox's food products (dressings and sauces) portfolio

Capabilities acquired

Asian marinadesdressingssauces

The Company also acquired HealthLink and Aplicare, Inc., leading providers of infection control products... as well as Soy Vay Enterprises, Inc., which makes Asian marinades and dressings.

The Clorox Company FY2012 10-K Item 7 Management's Discussion and Analysis

Deal value

Not disclosed

Terms

AnnouncedJun 2012

ClosedJun 2012

StructureFull acquisition

ConsiderationNot disclosed

Deal facts

GeographyUnited States

SegmentFood - Asian marinades & dressings

Integration unitClorox food products (Hidden Valley / KC Masterpiece portfolio)

Integration timelineAcquired during fiscal year 2012 (fiscal year ended June 30, 2012); deal value not separately disclosed in SEC filings

Not disclosed in filing Target revenue / EBITDA · Cash impact / synergies

Funding(not disclosed).

SEC 8-K · Soy Vay Enterprises

End of deal book

6 acquisitions · $4.1B deployed ·2007 — present

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6 deals, $4.1B deployed.

The rationale that repeats.

Buying into health, wellness and hygiene.

Bolt-ons onto an existing platform.

All-cash deals, debt-funded, with discipline.

The full deal book.

Put VectorShift to workon every deal.

Put VectorShift to work
on every deal.