Franklin Electric (NASDAQ: FELE) acquires three water treatment firms for $50M

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Franklin Electric Co., Inc. has completed the acquisition of 100% of the equity interests in three water treatment businesses for a combined purchase price of $50 million, subject to working capital adjustments. The acquired companies are Piertek, Inc. d/b/a Wood Bros Industries, Piertek III, LLC d/b/a Reverse Osmosis Superstore, and Vistar Water Technologies, Inc.

These three companies, collectively referred to as the Acquired Entity, are wholesale suppliers and online retailers focused on water treatment systems, components, and accessories, and are primarily based in Lincoln, Nebraska. The information was furnished under Regulation FD, indicating a focus on broad, fair disclosure to the market.

Insights

Industrial M&A analyst

Franklin Electric adds a $50M water treatment platform via three-company acquisition.

Franklin Electric completed the purchase of three related water treatment businesses for a combined $50 million, subject to working capital adjustments. The deal covers 100% of the equity interests, giving full ownership and control over the Acquired Entity.

The acquired businesses operate as wholesale suppliers and online retailers of water treatment systems, components, and accessories, primarily in Lincoln, Nebraska. This fits within Franklin Electric’s broader water-focused portfolio, potentially adding distribution reach and product breadth, although no financial contribution details are disclosed in this excerpt.

The disclosure is made under Regulation FD, emphasizing equal access to information rather than signaling specific financial guidance. Future periodic reports may quantify revenue, margins, and integration progress from the Acquired Entity, which will help clarify the acquisition’s overall impact once reported.

8-K Event Classification

Item 7.01 — Regulation FD Disclosure

1 item

Item 7.01 Regulation FD Disclosure Disclosure

Material non-public information disclosed under Regulation Fair Disclosure, often investor presentations or guidance.

Key Figures

Purchase price: $50 million Equity interest acquired: 100% equity interest Closing date: May 1, 2026 +2 more

5 metrics

Purchase price $50 million Combined consideration for three operating companies, subject to working capital adjustments

Equity interest acquired 100% equity interest Ownership stake in the three operating companies acquired

Closing date May 1, 2026 Date Franklin Electric completed the acquisition

Number of companies Three operating companies Piertek, Inc.; Piertek III, LLC; Vistar Water Technologies, Inc.

Primary location Lincoln, Nebraska Primary base of operations for the Acquired Entity

Key Terms

Regulation FD, working capital adjustments, wholesale supplier, online retailer, +1 more

5 terms

Regulation FD regulatory

"This on is being furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 of ."

Regulation FD is a rule that prevents company insiders, like executives, from sharing important information with some people before others get it. It matters because it helps ensure all investors have equal access to key news, making the stock market fairer and reducing chances of insider trading.

working capital adjustments financial

"for a combined purchase price of $50 million subject to working capital adjustments"

An adjustment made after a business sale or valuation to reflect the target company’s short-term operating resources—things like inventory, customer invoices owed to the company, and bills the company must pay—so the buyer pays for the business as a running concern. Think of it like checking the gas and mileage when buying a used car and changing the price if the tank or wear is different than expected; investors care because it changes the final purchase price, affects ongoing cash available to run the business, and alters deal returns.

wholesale supplier financial

"The Acquired Entity is a wholesale supplier and online retailer specializing in water treatment systems"

online retailer financial

"wholesale supplier and online retailer specializing in water treatment systems, components, and accessories"

Regulation FD Disclosure regulatory

"Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure On May 1, 2026, Franklin Electric Co., Inc."

Regulation FD disclosure requires public companies to share important, market-moving information with everyone at the same time instead of tipping off analysts or large investors first. Think of it as making sure all players on a field hear the same announcement simultaneously; that fairness helps investors trust that stock prices reflect the same information and reduces the risk of sudden, unfair trading advantages or regulatory penalties for selective leaks.

Understanding 8-K Material Events →

0000038725false00000387252026-05-042026-05-04

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of

the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 4, 2026

FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Indiana

0-362

35-0827455

(State of incorporation)

(Commission File Number)

(IRS employer identification no.)

9255 Coverdale Road
Fort Wayne,			Indiana			46809
(Address of principal executive offices)						(Zip code)

(260) 824-2900

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable

(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

☐   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

☐ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

☐   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

☐   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Common Stock, $0.10 par value

FELE

NASDAQ Global Select Market

(Title of each class)

(Trading symbol)

(Name of each exchange on which registered)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).

Emerging growth company ☐

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure

On May 1, 2026, Franklin Electric Co., Inc. completed the acquisition of 100% of the equity interest in the following three operating companies for a combined purchase price of $50 million subject to working capital adjustments:

–Piertek, Inc d/b/a Wood Bros Industries

–Piertek III, LLC d/b/a Reverse Osmosis Superstore

–Vistar Water Technologies, Inc

The three combined entities are herein referred to as the Acquired Entity. The Acquired Entity is a wholesale supplier and online retailer specializing in water treatment systems, components, and accessories primarily based in Lincoln, Nebraska. This Current Report on Form 8-K is being furnished pursuant to Item 7.01 of Form 8-K.

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

FRANKLIN ELECTRIC CO., INC.

(Registrant)

Date: May 4, 2026						By			/s/ Jennifer A. Wolfenbarger
									Jennifer A. Wolfenbarger
									Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
									(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)

FAQ

What acquisition did Franklin Electric (FELE) complete?

Franklin Electric completed the acquisition of 100% of the equity interests in three water treatment companies for a combined purchase price of $50 million, subject to working capital adjustments. The acquired entities focus on water treatment systems, components, and accessories and operate as wholesalers and online retailers.

Which companies were acquired by Franklin Electric (FELE)?

Franklin Electric acquired three operating companies: Piertek, Inc. d/b/a Wood Bros Industries, Piertek III, LLC d/b/a Reverse Osmosis Superstore, and Vistar Water Technologies, Inc. Together they form the Acquired Entity focused on water treatment systems and related products.

How much did Franklin Electric (FELE) pay for the Acquired Entity?

Franklin Electric agreed to a combined purchase price of $50 million for 100% of the equity interests in the three acquired companies. The price is subject to working capital adjustments, which can slightly increase or decrease the final consideration after closing calculations.

What type of business did Franklin Electric (FELE) acquire?

Franklin Electric acquired a group of companies that act as a wholesale supplier and online retailer of water treatment systems, components, and accessories. The Acquired Entity primarily operates from Lincoln, Nebraska, strengthening Franklin Electric’s presence in the water treatment segment.

When did Franklin Electric (FELE) close the $50 million acquisition?

Franklin Electric completed the acquisition on May 1, 2026, purchasing 100% of the equity interests in the three water treatment businesses. The transaction was later disclosed through a Regulation FD communication, emphasizing broad and fair information distribution to the market.

Under which SEC item did Franklin Electric (FELE) disclose the acquisition?

The company furnished details of the transaction under Item 7.01, Regulation FD Disclosure. This approach highlights that the information is being shared to ensure fair and simultaneous access for investors, rather than as part of a formal financial statement update.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

3 documents

Other Documents

• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION SCHEMA DOCUMENT 2.9 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION LABEL LINKBASE DOCUMENT 22.5 KB
• EX-101 XBRL TAXONOMY EXTENSION PRESENTATION LINKBASE DOCUMENT 12.8 KB