[Viewpoint] Best list yet in 2005

This May issue of PCT includes our annual Top 100 list, an exclusive list (and accompanying stories) that we present to the industry each May. In its fourth year, the PCT Top 100 is stronger than ever. In addition, it is one of the most eagerly anticipated issues of the year. (In fact, even in mid-April as I write this, we’ve received calls asking when the issue will hit the streets.)

For those who are unfamiliar with the PCT Top 100 list, it is a list of the industry’s 100 largest pest management firms, ranked by 2004 revenues. Most of the companies included in the list have supplied us their numbers and for that, we say thank you. We hit the library and talked with industry consultants to discern numbers for some others who did not supply their company’s information (estimated revenues are noted on the charts on pages 35 and 36).

This year’s list is once again stronger than the lists in years past. For starters, the list ends higher than it did last year by a half a million dollars. Second, several companies whose revenues we’ve estimated over the years, or who had not shared with us their numbers in the past, have done so this year. To them (and they know who they are) I offer my sincere thanks. Third, the total revenues generated by companies on the list increased about $210 million from 2003.

Also this year, we’ve profiled several companies that had significant growth in 2004. Turn to page 38 for a story about the Orkin/Western purchase, one year later. (Note that Orkin’s purchase of Western Pest Services is represented on this year’s list, even though the sale occurred more than a year ago. Remember that this list represents 2004 revenues.)

We’d love to hear your comments about this cover story. And please keep this in mind: PCT’s Top 100 list represents the industry’s largest companies. This is a list of revenues and we’re not endorsing one company over another with the publication of this list.

While the Top 100 list certainly takes up the most pages of any story this month, please don’t overlook the other important stories and columns in this issue. One of those columns begins on page 130.

This month, we debut a quarterly column by Professional Pest Management Alliance Executive Director Cindy Mannes. Her columns will focus on marketing your pest control company and will include helpful, hands-on tips on how you can enhance your company’s name in your community, as well as your company’s sales.

As we’ve reported in PCT over the past few years, Cindy is a wonderful asset to the pest management industry. Since being named executive director in 2001, she’s worked hard every day to get the word out about the services you provide and she’s raised the profile of the pest control industry in all types of consumer media — television, radio, newspaper, magazines and more. Her commentary is a wonderful addition to PCT. And I’d like to thank her and the entire PPMA board for all they’ve done for PCT and the pest control industry throughout the past few years.

The author is editor of PCT magazine.