DECEMBER NEWS

WATERBURY COMPANIES NAMED EXCLUSIVE SIEGE SUPPLIER BY BASF

Waterbury, Conn. — Waterbury Companies Inc. announced recently that it has formed a strategic alliance with BASF for the exclusive distribution rights for Siege and Siege Pro product lines in the United States.

"The strategic alliance provides BASF continuity in their pest control distribution and greater market penetration by joining forces with CB Professional Products," said Bill Baxter, business manager, BASF. "We are confident that CB Professional Products has a strong market position and the marketing clout to build these brands, BASF will continue to focus its resources at bringing new and innovative products to the pest control industry," Baxter said.

"The addition of Siege, with its highly effective active ingredient hydramethylnon, offers synergistic marketing and distribution opportunities to the CB brand," said Carl Contadini, president of Waterbury.

The Siege gel for cockroaches and Siege Pro granular fire ant bait product lines include a 30-gram flex syringe for Siege gel, a 100-gram cartridge for Siege gel and the Xactadose gun delivery system. Also available is Siege Pro Fire Ant Bait, a granular bait available in 1-pound, 4.5-pound and 25-pound sizes.

Waterbury manufactures and markets products under the CB Professional Products, TimeMist and Ozium brand names.

KARD ACCEPTS OSU POSITION

Starkville, Miss. — Brad Kard has recently accepted an endowed professorship in Structural and Urban Entomology at Oklahoma State Univer-sity’s Department of Entomology and Plant Pathology.

Since 1987, Kard has been principal research entomologist at the USDA Forest Service’s Southern Research Station in Starkville, Miss., where he performs nationwide field studies testing efficacy of new termite control products and formulations.

Kard will assume his new position March 1, 2001.

BOB RUSSELL, FORMER NPMA PRESIDENT, PASSES AWAY

ATLANTA, Ga. — Bob Russell, former president of the National Pest Management Association, passed away Oct. 31. Russell was president of the association in 1987. During his term, he and his staff worked with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to lessen the Agency’s restrictions on chlordane.

Russell began his career in pest control while serving in the army during World War II. After Russell graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology, he took a job with Orkin, where he served as vice president of government affairs. In 1988, Russell joined Arrow Exterminators as training and technical director and, most recently, Russell was senior vice president of technical services for Arrow.

Russell also served the industry through various positions in the Georgia Pest Control Association for the past 22 years. He was a past president, co-chairperson of the government/legislative committee and he was active in the structural pest control commission.

Russell was a 1997 PCT Leadership Award winner as well as the 2000 winner of National Pest Management Association’s Pinnacle Award, the organization’s highest honor. Rob Lederer, executive director, NPMA, said Russell was "a pillar in the association."

"He was one of the pioneers in establishing relationships with EPA," Lederer said of Russell. "Once you lose that kind of corporate knowledge base, it’s a blow to everybody."

AVENTIS ANNOUNCES SALE OF ACTISOL DELIVERY SYSTEM

MONTVALE, N.J. — The Professional Products Group of Aventis Environmental Science has sold its Actisol application system to Environmental Delivery Systems Inc. Eddie Evans will serve as principal of Environmental Delivery Systems Inc. and will manage all Actisol business efforts.

"The sale of Actisol is a beneficial and welcome transition for our customers," said Michael McDermott, vice president, professional products, Aventis. "It is in the best interest of our customers to have a strong team dedicated full time to this delivery system and its benefits."

The Actisol Insecticide delivery system enables PCOs to perform deep harborage, crack and crevice, wall void and spot treatments. There are two Actisol units available to PCOs: the hand-held compact unit and the wheeled commercial unit.

IMUS NAMED PPMA EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Dunn Loring, Va. — The Professional Pest Management Alliance (PPMA) announced in October the appointment of Catherine L. Imus as the executive director of the Alliance. Imus has been involved in public relations for nearly 20 years.

"Looking towards 2001, PPMA couldn’t be in a stronger position," said Rob Lederer, executive vice president of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA). "Under Cathy’s leadership, the public relations campaign that has already met with so much success can flourish and expand. With her experience, Cathy is a superb addition to our team, and we’re delighted to have her on board."

Imus joins PPMA from the North American Insulation Manufacturers Association (NAIMA), a trade association representing the fiber glass insulation industry. As Director of Communications for NAIMA for nearly six years, Imus led the fiber glass industry’s proactive communications campaign, helping to improve the image of the industry and its products.

"I’m delighted to be part of the Alliance program," Imus said. "There are tremendous opportunities to educate consumers about the valuable role pest management professionals can play in protecting their homes and health from pests. This is truly an exciting time to be involved in this vibrant and growing industry."

SYNGENTA MERGER APPROVED; NEW HEADQUARTERS NAMED

GREENSBORO, N.C. — Syngenta, the new agribusiness formed by the merger of Zeneca Ag Products and Novartis Crop Protection, will make its North American headquarters in Greensboro. The decision was made after the company was offered local and state government incentives valued at $1.9 million.

The merger was approved by the Federal Trade Commission on Nov. 1 and is estimated to have sales of about $8 billion.

According to an article from the Associated Press, Greensboro had competed with Wilmington, Del., for the division operations site in the proposed Syngenta AG.

In addition, Syngenta AG announced that Delaware would be the home for its smaller corporate headquarters for Canada, the United States and Mexico.

NISUS LAUNCHES BORA-CARE WARRANTY

ROCKFORD, Tenn. — Nisus Corporation, a provider of borate-based pesticide products, has announced that it will begin offering a five-year limited warranty on new construction homes that are pretreated for termites with Bora-Care. The warranty will be available to PCOs and their companies once they have completed Nisus’ warranty training program.

Bora-Care is a water-soluble, borate based pesticide that is applied directly to wood. The product has been in use for more 10 years and the product’s efficacy is what led Nisus to create the warranty program, the company said. "Bora-Care was initially used by many pest management professionals (PMPs) when they had tough termite problems. We had constant feedback from PMPs telling us that once they treated the wood with Bora-Care they had no further problems," according to Ron Schwalb, technical manager for Nisus.

The Bora-Care Warranty will provide PCOs with up to $2,500 to cover the cost of termite damage repair, labor for retreatment and the cost of replacement product. PCOs and their companies will complete a warranty training class and become Certified Bora-Care Wood Treatment Professionals. Homes treated under the program must be registered with Nisus and the PCO must conduct an annual physical inspection.

For more information on these products or programs contact Nisus at 800/264-0870 or visit www.nisuscorp.com.

FORMER CHAPIN PRESIDENT DIES

BATAVIA, N.Y. — Ralph B. Chapin, chairman emeritus, Chapin Manufacturing Inc., passed away on Aug. 18. He was 85 years old. Mr. Chapin, or R.B. as he was known to most, was the third-generation family leader of the company and had been an employee at the company since January 4, 1945. During his 55 years with the company, Chapin served as vice president, treasurer, president, director and chairman, a role assumed by his daughter, Andris K. Chapin, in 1998.

NEW FUMIGANT RECEIVES REGISTRATION

Indianapolis — ECO2FUME Fumigant Gas, a new cylinderized phosphine fumigant, received full food registration from the Environmental Protection Agency in August. This will allow this phosphine- and carbon dioxide-based fumigant to be used by trained and certified applicators for food items. ECO2FUME received EPA non-food registration in December 1999.

ECO2FUME is the first new methyl bromide alternative that EPA has registered, according to David Mueller, Fumigation Service & Supply Inc. According to Mueller, this opens the door for the phosphine and carbon dioxide- based fumigant to replace methyl bromide in flour mills, grain and food processing plants where possible.

CSIRO, an agricultural research and industry branch of the Australian government, and an industrial gas company named BOC discovered the product in Australia in the 1980s. This collaboration has lead to the widespread use of ECO2FUME on more than 50 percent of the wheat stored in Australia and registrations in Cypress, Germany, Bahrain, China and the United States.

Cytec Industries Inc. is the registrant for ECO2FUME and Brian McSwigan is its global business director. Cytec has appointed Fumigation Service & Supply Inc. as the coordinators for a mandatory stewardship program for users of ECO2FUME. This stewardship program will train fumigators to use this new phosphine-generating delivery system in commodities and structures. It will include high-pressure techniques, safety, safe storage, methyl bromide alternatives, case studies, phosphine corrosion management, special equipment needs, calculations on methods for dosage rates and re-dosing with ECO2FUME along with information in the field of fumigation and actual hands-on fumigations.

For more information about the product and upcoming stewardship programs, contact David K. Mueller at 317/896-9300 or go to the company’s website at www.insectslimited.com.

NEW MARKETING WEBSITE LAUNCHED

St. Louis, Mo. — Compelling Communications Inc. announces a new website, www.compelcom.com, with a special section on pest control marketing.

June Van Klaveren, owner of Compelling Communications Inc. says, "Pest management professionals will now have immediate access to many articles and marketing ideas designed specifically for the pest control industry." By clicking on "resources," then "marketing your pest control services," PCOs will find a variety of valuable information, including articles and marketing tips.Under the "services" section, the website describes and displays the many marketing services provided by the company.

Compelling Communications, a marketing firm specializing in helping PCOs grow their business, can be reached by calling 800/779-0067 or through the website.

PRESTO-X RECEIVES GOLDEN SPIKE AWARD

Omaha, Neb. — This past summer, the Omaha-based pest management firm Presto-X-Company was honored with the prestigious Central Council/Economic Development Council Golden Spike Award from the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce. Accepting the award were Gerald W. Keown, general manager and Ward A. Combs II, vice president.

The Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce presents the Golden Spike Award to businesses and industries that have made significant and outstanding contributions to the economic stability within the community.

CENTEX ACQUIRES PHOENIX COMPANY

DALLAS — Centex HomeTeam Pest Control, a subsidiary of Centex Home Services Company, recently acquired Wilson Pest Management Group of Phoenix, Ariz. The purchase price was not disclosed. The acquisition adds 6,100 customers and 33 employees to Centex HomeTeam’s existing pest control operations in Phoenix.

"This acquisition will allow Centex to expand its presence in the Phoenix area while focusing on customer service," said Bob Wanzer, president, Centex HomeTeam Pest Control. "Wilson has more than a 13-year history in Phoenix and we are pleased to welcome their customers and employees to Centex."

Centex HomeTeam Pest Control will continue to handle sales, service and customer care through the former Wilson office located in Phoenix.

SEARS HONORS TOP TECHNICIANS AT PEST MANAGEMENT 2000

Las Vegas — A trio of service professionals from Sears Termite & Pest Control were honored as the company’s Technicians of the Year at NPMA Pest Management 2000 in Las Vegas recently.

The winners, Peggy Schenk, Lawrence-ville, Ga.; Frank Russo, Springhill, Fla.; and Danny Baggett, Gulfport, Miss., were presented with Partnership Awards during a ceremony at the convention.

The Partnership Awards are a combined effort of Sears Termite & Pest Control, The Clorox Company, Bayer Corporation and B&W Sales and Marketing to recognize high achievers in three pest control categories: Technician of the Year, Salesman of the Year and Termite Technician of the Year.

Schenk, a pest control specialist, was awarded the Technician of the Year, while Russo, a sales consultant, was named Salesman of the Year. Baggett, a termite specialist, was honored as Termite Technician of the Year.

FORSHAW DISTRIBUTION LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE

Charlotte, N.C. — Tom Forshaw III, president of Forshaw Distribution, Inc., recently announced the launch of its new website, www.forshawdistribution.com. This site is designed to provide Forshaw’s customers news and events, to be a resource center as well as a complete product catalog.

The website’s primary function is to allow Forshaw customers to order products online 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Customers can also obtain other information, such as extended descriptions of the products, views of the products and current product labels and MSDS.

You must be a customer of Forshaw Distribution to use the product catalog portion of the web site. Go to the site to get your logon information. Or, contact your Forshaw representative at 800/438-4534.

TEXAS ASSOCIATION RIDS PARK OF RATS

CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas — The Coastal Bend Pest Control Association (CBPCA) volunteered its efforts this summer to eliminate a rodent infestation at KidsPlace, a waterfront park for children, in Cole Park, Texas. The park was overrun with roof rats, said Bill Schroeder, regional director for the Texas Pest Control Association. After three days of trapping, 66 rodents were caught.

In addition to local media coverage, the Associated Press picked up the story as well. At the completion of the project, CBPCA donated $1,000 towards maintenance and upkeep of the park in hopes of preventing the problem again.

"This was such a positive media and community project for PCOs," Schroeder said.

JT EATON GIVES AWAY AIRLINE TICKETS

Twinsburg, Ohio — At the recent NPMA tradeshow held in Las Vegas, Nev., JT Eaton featured "Big Bertha" — a six-foot slot machine — in the company’s booth. The slot machine gave PCOs an opportunity to win Eaton products or the grand prize of two round-trip airline tickets anywhere in the United States.

During the show no one hit for the grand prize so on Saturday, Bonnie Everts, NPMA president, drew a winning ticket.

Ulrich Blumenthal of Abalene Termite & Pest Control, Trenton, N.J., was the winner.

VETERAN PCO WINS LAPTOP FROM PCT MEDIA GROUP

CLEVELAND — Glenn Scherzinger, owner of Sure Thing Pest Control, Cincinnati, Ohio, was the lucky winner of a laptop computer given away at the PCT Media Group booth at NPMA’s Pest Management 2000 convention in Las Vegas.

Scherzinger has been in the pest control industry since 1968 when he went to work for his family’s company, Scherzinger Pest Control. He held a number of positions at Scherzinger, ranging from service technician to operations manager.

In 1996, Scherzinger left the pest control industry, buying out the assets of his family’s lawn care business, Scherzinger Lawn Care. He returned to the pest control industry in December 1999. He and partner Jerry Zapf started Sure Thing Pest Control, a company offering residential and commercial pest control as well as termite work.

FMC OFFERS TALSTAR PLEDGE

PHILADELPHIA — FMC Specialty Products Business is making a promise to PCOs across the country by pledging that the company’s Talstar Termiticide/Insecticide will protect structures against termite activity for five years. If retreatment is necessary, FMC will reimburse a PCOs’ costs for labor and materials, FMC says.

That’s the essence of one of three guarantees of support FMC introduced at the National Pest Management Association’s Pest Management 2000. The other two Guarantees of Support apply to FMC’s FirstLine Termite Defense System, a program that uses a full range of FMC’s solutions.

According to the Talstar Guarantee of Support, once a PCO has achieved control of subterranean termites in a structure, FMC promises the building will be protected from termite activity for five years or the company will cover the costs to retreat the structure.

FMC will reimburse PCOs for the costs of labor and the Talstar product used to retreat a residential or commercial structure within certain parameters.

To qualify for the Guarantee of Support, the Talstar Termiticide/Insecticide application must be a full interior and exterior application, according to the label. Other terms and conditions apply. All claims are subject to a $50 administrative fee and will be paid quarterly in cash, Alliance dollars or Talstar Termiticide/Insecticide, FMC says. For more information, call 800/321-1FMC.

LIPHATECH HOSTS TECHNICAL SYMPOSIUM

Milwaukee, Wis. — LiphaTech recently hosted a Technical Symposium on rodent control. Key industry speakers addressed a variety of topics pertinent to rodent control and the possible impact of current legislature. The two-day symposium included a tour of the LiphaTech rodenticide manufacturing plant.

Proceedings to the symposium are available, free of charge, by contacting LiphaTech Customer Service at 800/558-1003 or by e-mail at ksz@liphatech.com.

REBATE OFFERED BY INNOVATIVE PEST CONTROL PRODUCTS

BOCA RATON, Fla. — Innovative Pest Control Products is offering a rebate to PCOs who purchase Ant Cafe and/or Ant & Roach Buffet refillable insect bait stations until May 31, 2001. The rebate is $20 for each case of Ant Cafes and $10 for each case of Ant & Roach Buffets. For more information, PCOs can contact their distributors or go to www.antcafe.com.

COMINGS & GOINGS

Manny Martinez has been named general manager for Termimesh LLC, a newly formed joint venture partnership between Termimesh Australia and ABC Pest & Lawn Services, Austin, Texas.

Bell Laboratories has named Steve Levy as its new general manager.

Wellmark International has appointed Drew Lockhart as national accounts manager for Zoëcon Professional Products.

Madison, Wis.-pest control executive Carl Griswold has joined Interview Technologies Inc. as general manager.

Chip Hughes has been named sales manager for the Florida district for Van Waters & Rogers’ Professional Products & Services business unit.