Xylem Transports Patrick Decker From Harsco To Be New President And CEO

It’s been two and a half years since Xylem (XYL) was spun off from ITT Corp (ITT). Not a long time, but long enough for the company to hire its third CEO. Gretchen McClain, the CEO at the time of the spinoff, resigned abruptly last September amid poor results, and was replaced on an interim basis by Steven Loranger who had been CEO of parent ITT at the time of the spin. Now, after conducting a broad search, the company has appointed Patrick Decker as CEO. Decker resigned as President and CEO of Harsco(HSC) to take the position.

Mr. Decker, 49, has been president and CEO of Harsco Corporation (HSC), a global industrial services company, since 2012. At Harsco he has been successful in establishing company-wide programs focused on business simplification, Lean Six Sigma continuous improvement, talent development, innovation and safety. Prior to that, he served in a number of leadership roles at Tyco International’s Flow Control business, ultimately serving as President of Tyco Flow Control, a $4 billion leader in industrial flow control solutions where he was able to grow revenue significantly in the emerging markets, execute the company’s largest acquisitions in Brazil and the Middle East, and champion a three-year philanthropic commitment to clean water access. In addition, he led the effort that resulted in the separation of the Flow Control business from the parent company.

Earlier in his career, he served at Bristol-Myers Squibb Company in a number of operational finance roles. Mr. Decker started his career as an auditor for Price Waterhouse LLP, now PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and finance from Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana.

The company reaffirmed its recent guidance:

Xylem reaffirms the full-year 2014 outlook outlined February 4, 2014. Xylem’s full-year revenues will be approximately $4 billion, and adjusted net income will be in the $345 million to $370 million range, or $1.85 to $2.00 adjusted earnings per share. Xylem expects 2014 restructuring and realignment costs to be $40 million to $50 million.

Also, lest anyone forget how clever its name is, the company’s press release discussed its deep significance:

The name Xylem is derived from classical Greek and is the tissue that transports water in plants, highlighting the engineering efficiency of our water-centric business by linking it with the best water transportation of all — that which occurs in nature.

The company has struggled, but it has a leading position in an industry that will become increasingly critical with global industrialization and continued population growth. We wish Mr. Decker luck in his new position.

Disclosure: The author holds no position in any stock mentioned