---
schema_version: "secwatch.filing_event.v1"
accession: "0001193125-21-292612"
form_type: "8-K"
ticker: "WAT"
cik: "0001000697"
company_name: "WATERS CORP /DE/"
filed_at: "2021-10-06T23:59:59+00:00"
generated_at: "2026-06-28T22:27:19.520857+00:00"
event_type: "leadership"
sentiment: "neutral"
materiality_score: 0.3
calibrated_materiality_score: 0.3
confidence: "high"
source: SEC EDGAR
---

# Waters Corp appoints John M. Ballbach to board; Michael Berendt retires

## Summary
- Dr. Michael Berendt retired from the board effective Oct 5, 2021 after serving since 1998.
- John M. Ballbach appointed to board and Audit Committee effective Oct 5, 2021.
- Ballbach to receive standard non-employee director compensation plus initial equity grant of $55,000.
- Ballbach is former CEO of VWR International and currently on RPM International board.
- Appointment fills vacancy created by Berendt's retirement; term until 2022 annual meeting.

## SEC filing metadata
- accession: 0001193125-21-292612
- form_type: 8-K
- ticker: WAT
- cik: 0001000697
- company_name: WATERS CORP /DE/
- filed_at: 2021-10-06T23:59:59+00:00
- event_type: leadership
- sentiment: neutral
- materiality_score: 0.3
- calibrated_materiality_score: 0.3
- confidence: high
- sec_items: 5.02, 7.01, 9.01
- EDGAR index: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1000697/000119312521292612/0001193125-21-292612-index.htm
- EDGAR primary document: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1000697/000119312521292612/d208345d8k.htm

## Machine-readable alternates
- HTML: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-21-292612
- JSON: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-21-292612.json
- Plain text: https://secwatch.observer/filing/0001193125-21-292612.txt

## Key facts
- Executive change
  Michael Berendt retired as director at WATERS CORP /DE/.
  - Action: retired
  - Role: director
  source text: On October 1, 2021, Dr. Michael Berendt notified the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Waters Corporation (the “Company”) of his decision to retire as director of the Company, including from any committees thereof, such retirement, effective October 5, 2021.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1000697/000119312521292612/0001193125-21-292612-index.htm
- Executive change
  John M. Ballbach was appointed as director at WATERS CORP /DE/.
  - Action: appointed
  - Role: director
  source text: On October 5, 2021, the Board appointed John M. Ballbach to the Board, effective October 5, 2021, to fill the vacancy left by Dr. Berendt’s retirement.
  evidence_url: https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1000697/000119312521292612/0001193125-21-292612-index.htm

This AI-assisted summary is a reading aid. Review the linked SEC EDGAR filing before relying on any specific claim.