[State of the Industry] Letter

Dear Readers:

The stakes are high…
…and not just in Las Vegas, where we’ll gather as an industry to learn about new technologies and trends, share best practices and resources, and discuss the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

The stakes are high for all of us who hope for continued success in our industry.

Since we last met as an industry, we’ve faced down some of the toughest economic conditions on record, and true to form, have emerged stronger for it. With hope in economists’ predictions that the worst may be behind us, it’s heartening to remember that despite global economic trends, demand for our industry’s services remains steady.

That’s not to say that we’ve been immune to changing economic conditions. But as consumers across the country reevaluated their priorities this year and changed their spending habits, they also learned to identify which purchases were simply “nice to have” and which added real value to their lives. So while consumers are now willing to cut back in some areas, they are still not willing to tolerate pests in their homes and businesses.

Perhaps this is an exercise you’ve conducted in your own life — or even for your business. Now more than ever, it’s important to surround yourself with industry partners that add real value.

For example, when you purchase a product for your business, does the extent of your relationship with the product and its manufacturer end at the cash register? Or, should that initial transaction signal the beginning of a more complete business relationship?

At Bayer, we’re committed to being your manufacturer of choice. When you choose Bayer, you receive automatic and unfettered access to:

• The industry’s leading portfolio of pest management solutions;
• Dedicated sales and research teams to support you in the field or in the office;
• Industry experts at national seminars or one-on-one time at local Bayer trainings;
• Advancement of the industry, continued alliances with state associations, the NPMA and PPMA; and
• Scientific research, from ongoing university and field trials of our new and existing solutions, to the “Young Scientist of the Year” contest, which identifies the next generation of academic talent for our industry.

We’re also committed to delivering solutions that help you improve your customers’ living conditions responsibly and minimize the hazards associated with pests, particularly those that threaten human health and property. Each innovation we bring to market meets our rigorous performance standards and has been evaluated according to our sustainability philosophy of “Protecting Tomorrow…Today,” through the proper balance of economic, social and environmental considerations.

As the next set of challenges and opportunities for our industry takes shape, Bayer will continue to provide the support, training, resources and solutions to help move your business forward. Be sure to stop by Bayer’s booth (no. 613) to check out our latest innovations.
Sincerely,

Chris Pienaar
Director, Professional Pest Management, Bayer Environmental Science