Fact Sheet

Description

RainSoft is a leading brand of top-quality equipment that treats, purifies and softens water for homes and businesses. As one of the few totally integrated product lines in the $9.4 billion water quality industry, RainSoft Water Treatment Systems maintains unparalleled excellence.

Since its introduction in 1953, RainSoft has maintained its quality through research and development—the most cost-effective way available to generate such a wide range of patented, point-of-use water treatment equipment. RainSoft's commercial and industrial products are designed and manufactured at the RainSoft Division of Aquion Water Treatment Products corporate facility in Elk Grove Village, Illinois.

Products

RainSoft serves the diverse needs of a broad spectrum of customers. Products range from small, portable drinking-water purifiers designed for apartment dwellers, to massive, institutional treatment systems custom-built for food processing plants, hotels, office buildings, hospitals and factories—even entire communities.

The RainSoft product line includes water conditioners, iron filters, whole-house carbon filters, drinking-water purifiers, ultraviolet systems, reverse osmosis systems and acid neutralizers, which are available with a variety of options and in different sizes. Each product is made from the finest materials available and is subjected to rigorous testing for unsurpassed performance and durability. RainSoft offers lifetime warranties on the major components of our product line.

Market

An Environmental Protection Agency survey and a Harris Poll both determined that 84% of Americans perceive their water as polluted. But water treatment units are found in only five million U.S. households (Water Quality Association, Lisle, Illinois).

Recognizing that less than 6% of the domestic market has been tapped and that concern for improved water quality is growing, the RainSoft division views the remaining 80 million American households—not to mention hundreds of millions of homes and businesses around the world—as its potential market.

Major U.S. clients that use RainSoft products include: Allstate Insurance, Boise Cascade, Dow Chemical, Exxon Company, Ford Motor Company, Holiday Inns, Jewel Companies, Northrup Corporation, Ramada Inns, Thomas' English Muffins, TWA and Underwriters Laboratories.

Revenues

The RainSoft Division of Aquion Water Treatment Products generates consumer-level revenues exceeding $220 million. RainSoft ranks as the second most-recognized brand name next to Culligan and was featured in Crain's Chicago Business magazine as one of the top 500 privately held companies in the Chicago area.

Dealership Structure

All RainSoft-brand products are sold, installed and serviced exclusively by more than 300 authorized, independently owned dealerships throughout the United States and in 24 countries throughout Europe, Asia and the Middle East.

The start-up cost for a RainSoft dealership is between $15,000 and $50,000, depending on the dealership's location and market, as well as the dealer's previous employment experiences. Since we are not a franchise, the start-up cost covers the new RainSoft dealer's equipment, sales and training materials, service supplies, promotional literature and operation manuals.

Marketing

The hallmark of marketing the RainSoft brand lies in its aggressive, multimillion-dollar national advertising campaigns, which are created and implemented by Aquion Water Treatment Products.

Aquion Water Treatment Products is managed by veteran RainSoft marketers and provides effective marketing support to each of the company's dealers by delivering the RainSoft message to millions of Americans. This is accomplished by airing television spots on national and cable networks, placing print ads in consumer and trade magazines, and airing radio commercials. The company also sponsors an international convention, national and regional conferences, numerous seminars and distributes a monthly company newsletter.

Corporate Office

The RainSoft division of Aquion Water Treatment Products is headquartered at 2080 East Lunt Avenue, Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007; 847/437-9400.