June News

PCT Online undergoes facelift

CLEVELAND — The PCT Media Group in May presented a new look and user interface for its popular Web site, www.pctonline.com. The new look for PCT Online makes it easier for professionals to find industry news, resources and discussion topics needed to stay on top of the pest control business. The new crisp and clean format allows users to quickly find the resources they need.

PCT Online provides structural pest management professionals with up-to-the-minute news, an active message board for idea exchange, and unparalleled industry and educational resources. PCT Online also provides visitors with searchable article archives; labels and MSDSs; and comprehensive product, promotion and supplier information.

"This is an exciting step in the ongoing evolution of PCT Online," said Dan Moreland, PCT Media Group publisher. "We’ve long prided ourselves in offering the industry’s broadest line of electronic products, including our industry-leading Web site, weekly E-Newsletter, Product E-Newsletter and the recently introduced digital edition of PCT magazine. The new user-friendly design of PCT Online is just one more example of our ongoing commitment to meet the rapidly changing news and product information needs of our readers."

Premise Foam receives registration in New York

MONTVALE, N.J. — In April, Bayer Environmental Science announced that Premise Foam received registration approval for use in the state of New York. This new ready-to-use formulation offers pest management professionals control against termites, ants, carpenter bees and wood-boring beetles. Premise Foam requires no additional equipment.

The product expansion ratio of 30 to 1 covers hard-to-reach areas including inside termite galleries, wall voids and floor joists. Each 18-ounce can produces 5 gallons of finished foam.

For more information, log onto www.bayerprocentral.com or call 800/331-2867.

President Bush's nominee to head EPA

WASHINGTON — The Senate in April confirmed President Bush’s nominee to head the Environmental Protection Agency. The Senate voted 61-37 to break a procedural roadblock and then quickly approved Stephen Johnson, the EPA’s acting chief, to serve as the agency’s next administrator.

Johnson differs from previous EPA administrators in that he was not brought in from outside the agency. His 25-year employment with the agency includes a stint as head of EPA’s Office of Prevention, Pesticides and Toxic Substances. During this time, Johnson has become well versed on issues affecting the pest control industry. In 2004, Johnson spoke at NPMA’s PestWorld conference.

"We were pleased with the Senate’s confirmation of Steve Johnson as EPA Administrator," said Gene Harrington, manager of government affairs, NPMA. "Steve understands the importance and significance of pest control to our country. He has shown a willingness to listen to concerns (NPMA has) had about issues that may impact our industry."

Johnson issued the following statement upon being confirmed: "I am both honored and humbled that President Bush has given me the opportunity to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. Together, we have made great strides in cleaning the air, water and land. The success of EPA is inseparable from the productivity and creativity of the agency’s professional staff and I look forward to our work ahead."

New head of GIE Media

CLEVELAND — GIE Media, parent company of PCT magazine, announced in May that Chris Foster joined the company as president and COO. Foster, who has spent the past five years on the board of directors for GIE Media, rejoins the company after serving eight years in various IT and business management capacities in the New York metro area.

Foster began his business career with GIE Media in 1989 upon graduation from Schiller University in Heidelberg, Germany, with a BBA in international marketing and a BBA in international business administration. Foster held several key management positions with GIE Media from 1989-97, including IT operations management, general manager and CFO. He left GIE Media in 1997 to expand his business experience beyond the scope of GIE Media, a decision that served him well in his career success outside of GIE Media, and now brings depth and expertise to his new leadership position with the company.

Most recently, Foster served as vice president of product development for market research firm InsightExpress, where he was responsible for the creation of some of the most innovative and powerful online research solutions available. Foster was credited with developing the company’s award-winning technology and for having a direct and positive impact on the company’s tremendous five-year growth. In addition to his experience at InsightExpress, Foster also served as CTO for eCommerce Corporation and as a global division director of Attachmate Corp.

"GIE Media is a dynamic business with a portfolio of leading b2b communication products and services. It’s a company filled with great employees and a strong management team…and I’m thrilled that Chris has returned with his great energy and talent to lead our company into the future," said GIE Media Chairman and CEO Richard Foster. "His publishing background, combined with the technology expertise he brings to the table, will be a driving force in expanding our business position as a diverse media company with a deep commitment to meet the needs of our business-to-business market customers, as well as to contribute to the quality of life of our employees and our local community."

Innovation fuels BASF’s growth

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — In April, Hans W. Reiners, president of BASF’s Agricultural Products Division, affirmed the company’s commitment to the chemical industry in the strongest language possible at a media day attended by 25 trade magazine journalists from throughout the United States. "Let’s face it, we’re a chemical company," he said. "If nobody stands up for it…we shouldn’t be surprised that step-by-step people will say we don’t need chemicals any more. We (BASF) want to fight for a sustainable future for chemicals."

In a bold attempt to bring that point home, BASF recently updated its brand and corporate logo to include the tagline, "BASF: The Chemical Company."

"This is not just a claim," Reiners said. "This is a promise which underlines our confident approach to the future." The branding strategy is part of a corporate-wide effort to promote sustainable chemical development — an initiative the 140-year-old company calls "BASF 2015." Reiners said all BASF associates have been asked to incorporate four "strategic guidelines" into their day-to-day work as part of the company-wide initiative. These guidelines include:

· Helping customers to be more successful

· Earning a premium on the cost of capital

· Forming the best team in the industry and

· Ensuring sustainable development

"Our ambitious BASF 2015 program will guarantee that we will remain the world leader in the chemical industry," Reiners said. "This strategy also ensures that, just as we have in the past, BASF will continue to be a leader in shaping the future."

To protect and expand its market position, Reiners said BASF continues to invest a significant portion of its people and financial resources in research and development. "In order to sustain our role as a leading innovator, we are continuing significant research and development efforts," he said. In 2004, BASF invested $339 million in R&D, a $42 million increase from the previous year. "Based on new and exciting opportunities we see in our business, we plan to further increase our investment in this year and the years ahead," he said. In 2007, the company plans to invest approximately 9 percent of its sales in R&D.

"When it comes to technology leadership, BASF Group has a long and proven track record," Reiners said. "With 1,000 patent applications per year, BASF Group is creating innovations literally on a daily basis."

Reiners said he is bullish about the company’s future because BASF has a "young portfolio with a high proportion of patent-protected products" as well as a "strong late-stage R&D pipeline" that should allow the company to continue to add value to its customer relationships. "To us, innovation is the most important factor in achieving success," he said. "In order for us to be able to convince customers to buy a new…product, it must be significantly better than existing solutions. This applies to its biological effects and its reliability, to its economic benefits and last but not least to its safety regarding humans, animals and the environment. Combining these efforts is creating additional value — for our customers and for BASF."

Reiners cited Termidor, the company’s flagship termiticide, as an example of how BASF has added value an existing technology. Reiners said the company combined Termidor with Phantom to create the Inside-Out program, an innovative treatment approach which provides rapid pest control both inside and outside the structure. "This is the ideal position for technology leadership, from which we can advance our business further," he said.

The result of such product innovations, according to Reiners, is higher quality sales. "About one third of our 2004 sales come from new products — new actives or new and improved formulations — launched over the last three years," he said. "At the same time, the percentage share of patented actives in our sales steadily increased. It is now more than 50 percent, clearly ahead of comparable numbers of our competitors. Both figures prove the results of our innovation strategy."

A tour of the company’s R&D facilities followed the presentations by the BASF executive team.

Industry mourns loss of Richard J. Yashek

READING, Pa. — Industry and J.C. Ehrlich leader Richard J. Yashek passed away on April 15 in Reading from congestive heart failure. He was 76. Richard had served J.C. Ehrlich Company for 50 years prior to his retirement in 1999.

Yashek was a well-known and respected member of the pest control industry, serving on the executive board of the National Pest Management Association and as Chairman of its Project Development Council. He was honored by receiving the PCT Leadership Award in 1999. For his 40 years of support to Purdue University’s structural pest control course, the 2001 Purdue Pest Control Conference was dedicated in his honor.

Yashek began his Ehrlich career in 1949 in Pottsville, Pa., under the training of his uncles, Simon and Arthur Hammel. Over the years, Yashek worked at a number of Ehrlich locations. During his early career, he served as a technician, salesperson, operations manager and district manager. In the 1960s, Richard began the company’s Green Team Lawn and Tree Care Division. He became a co-owner and vice president in 1974.

As a 12-year-old boy, Yashek was imprisoned for four years in a Nazi concentration camp and experienced the deaths of his mother, father and younger brother. He wrote a book detailing his early life nine years ago.

"Richard will be missed tremendously," said Victor Hammel, Ehrlich president. "He was a true inspiration to everyone who knew him. He was always willing to lend a hand or to help someone resolve a challenge. He was never too busy for anyone. He genuinely cared about his company, his coworkers and the pest control industry as a whole and was always eager to assist in making improvements wherever possible," Hammel said.

Yashek is survived by his wife Rosalye and daughters Kim, as well as Linda and Bob Hughes and their three children, Samantha, Bobby and Lauren (Richard Yashek’s grandchildren). Cards can be sent to the family at 2011 Lincoln Court, Wyomissing, PA 19610.

PPMA makes national headlines

FAIRFAX, Va. — In April, the Professional Pest Management Alliance, headed by PPMA Executive Director Cindy Mannes, had several home runs in regards to national media coverage for the pest management industry.

The April 22 edition of NBC’s Today Show featured a four-minute segment on bedbugs. The show reaches more than 6 million viewers each day. "After a full day of orchestration with The Today Show producers, we were thrilled to see professional pest control positioned as the first course of action in response to bedbug infestations," Mannes said. "Better yet, the spokesperson featured on camera, Dr. Phillip Tierno, a physician at NYU and author of The Secret Life of Germs, provided a third-party recommendation for pest control as part of ‘regular home maintenance.’"

During the course of the last three months, PPMA worked with the Wall Street Journal to develop a story to raise awareness of the current bedbug issue. PPMA was instrumental in providing third-party experts as well as research to grow this story from a simple "mention" to a full-fledged story. The story appeared on the front page of the Wall Street Journal on April 21.

Also, on April 21, CNN Headline News aired a four-minute story on pest control and preventive tips for avoiding pest infestations. All of the information the reporter presented was directly from NPMA’s Web site, www.pestworld.org.

PCT Media Group announces Advanced Seminar Series

CLEVELAND — To assist pest management professionals, as well as quality assurance and facility managers, design and implement effective pest management solutions in a variety of unique and specialized accounts, PCT and Quality Assurance & Food Safety magazines announced the launch of the PCT/Quality Assurance Advanced Seminar Series.

The first seminars are the PCT/Quality Assurance Pest Management in Food Warehouses and Distribution Centers Seminars featuring Dr. Bobby Corrigan of RMC Pest Management Consulting and Ole Dosland of QCC Services.

Scheduled for Sept. 27, in Baltimore, Md., and Sept. 29, in Chicago, the seminars will offer a comprehensive review of the important points involved with delivering an effective pest management program in food warehouses and distribution centers, including how to conduct a thorough facility inspection, how to prepare for a successful audit and strategies for controlling commonly encountered pests such as rodents, flies, birds and stored product pests.

Attendees interested in receiving additional seminar and registration information can e-mail Michelle Fitzpatrick at mfitzpatrick@giemedia.com or call 800/456-0707 ext. 218. For sponsorship information, please contact Michael Kelly at 757/427-5040 or Jeff Fenner at 216/961-4130.

Purdue celebrates 15th annual Bug Bowl

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A crowd of about 45,000 visited Purdue University April 16-17 to participate in the 15th annual Bug Bowl — the centerpiece of the college’s Spring Fest. This year’s event was lead-sponsored by Terminix.

Highlights from the event included roach races and a contest in which participants competed against one another to determine who could "projectile spit" frozen crickets the greatest distance. In addition to conventional cockroach derbies, the Bug Bowl featured cockroach harness racing, in which Madagascar hissing cockroaches, equipped with harnesses, pulled matchbox-type cars.

Also, an insect petting zoo gave attendees an opportunity for up-close encounters with tarantulas, millipedes, walking sticks and other creepy crawlers.

"The event has continued to grow in popularity each year," said Tom Turpin, professor of entomology at Purdue University and emcee of the event. "It now attracts people from other Midwest states and one year, we even had someone from California fly in to participate in the cricket-spitting contest."

"It was really remarkable to see thousands of people lined up to spit frozen crickets. Both kids and adults exuded a lot of enthusiasm, interest and excitement for the entire event and Terminix was very pleased to be lead sponsor," added Steve Good, vice-president and chief marketing officer of Terminix International.

Other noteworthy activities included insect face painting, insect displays, insect crafts, an insect petting zoo, exotic insect observation zoo and an insect-inspired cake decorating contest.

While Bug Bowl is the No. 1 attraction of Spring Fest, the event is a campus-wide affair. Spring Fest began in the Bug Bowl’s second year when Purdue’s Department of Horticulture and its School of Veterinary Medicine combined their open houses/showcases with Bug Bowl. The event has continued to expand and now nearly each of Purdue’s colleges participates in the event, according to Turpin. Attendees of the two-day event get hands-on exposure to forestry, physics, food, flowers and more. For example, this was the first year in which the Purdue Department of Statistics tallied up the results from the cricket-spitting contest.

Bayer announces training seminar series

Montvale, N.J. — Bayer has announced a 2005 summer seminar series titled "IPM Solutions and the Future of Pest Management." The seminars will feature Dr. Austin Frishman, a.k.a. "Dr. Cockroach," and Joseph Barile, a board certified entomologist and recognized industry expert with Bayer Environmental Science.

Attendees will receive CEUs and the seminars will run from June 20 through Aug. 10 in various cities throughout the United States. "Both managers and technicians will benefit from this modern training program that highlights the latest techniques and technologies for cockroach, ant and general pest management utilizing baits and various other techniques," says Gordon Morrison, Maxforce business manager at Bayer ES.

Frishman’s presentation will offer useful tips on how pest management professionals can provide better cockroach and pest management service to their customers, including the "Top 100 Tips for Cockroach Control." Barile will discuss a variety of different topics tailored for each geographic region to better equip professionals with the expertise required to satisfy today’s demanding customers.

The program runs from 5:30-9:30 p.m. The registration fee is $20 per person and attendees will receive dinner, CEUs and a special gift from Maxforce.

To request a registration form and find out how many CEUs will be awarded at each location, call 800/577-5163, ext. 3317 or contact your local authorized Bayer Distributor or Local Bayer Representative.

Space is limited and available on a first come, first served basis.

Dates and locations include:

• June 20: Chicago

• June 21: Kansas City, Mo.

• June 22: Houston

• June 23: Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas

• July 12: Dedham, Mass.

• July 13: Melville, Long Island, N.Y.

• July 14: Somerset, N.J.

• July 19: McLean, Va.

• July 20: Baltimore

• July 21: Raleigh, N.C.

• Aug. 2: Atlanta

• Aug. 3: Orlando, Fla.

• Aug. 4: Ft. Lauderdale, Fla.

• Aug. 9: Santa Clara, Calif.

• Aug. 10: Irving, Calif.

Prevail FT Termiticide/Insecticide sales promotion extended

PHILADELPHIA — FMC announced that the April Prevail FT termiticide/insecticide promotion has been extended to June 30. The promotion is as follows: When pest management professionals buy 1 gallon of Prevail FT termiticide/insecticide, they will get $15 off at the time of purchase.

This promotion cannot be combined with any other FMC-sponsored program or rebate. No maximum quantities apply. Only gallon containers are included in this promotion.

Judge’s ruling favors B&G in dispute with Genesis W.E.

RENO, Nev. — On April 18, a federal judge in Reno, Nev., dismissed with prejudice a lawsuit brought forth by Genesis W.E. Chairman & CEO Scott Plischke against B&G Equipment Co. The judge’s decision settles an ongoing dispute between the companies over the MicroFoam fly control product.

According to the court proceedings, the case was dismissed after Plischke "failed to appear as directed to show cause why this case should not be dismissed for failing to comply with the orders of the court." The judge also "vacated" a July 30, 2004, federal court preliminary injunction, which prevented B&G and its distributors from selling MicroFoam or any similar product, worldwide for a period of five years.

The dispute stems from a December 2001 agreement in which B&G was to act as master distributor within the U.S. of Genesis’ MicroFoam fly control product. The relationship soon deteriorated and came to a head in June 2004, when Genesis W.E. filed suit against B&G in federal court for trademark infringement and breach of covenant not to compete. PCT was unsuccessful in its attempts to contact Plischke following the most recent federal court ruling.

B&G President & CEO Cecil Patterson issued the following statement: "From the beginning, we have maintained that the entire suit was brought against B&G in an effort to force B&G into some sort of financial settlement. This dismissal, by the federal judge, with prejudice, only reaffirms our position and beliefs."

Patterson said now that the lawsuit is behind B&G, the company plans to re-enter the microbial market with the introduction of the MicroFoam Professional. This product was originally marketed under the name MicroFoam II, a reformulated version of B&G’s original MicroFoam.

Vector Plasma rebate announced

ST. LOUIS — Whitmire Micro-Gen is offering pest management professionals a cash rebate for purchases of Vector Plasma light traps. Vector Plasma was introduced in 2004 and is the brightest wall-mounted trap in the Vector family.

The Vector Plasma rebate details include:

• Pest management professionals who purchase a Vector Plasma light trap will receive $20 cash back per trap.

• Limit five traps per company.

• Offer good for all pest management professionals directly purchasing from authorized Whitmire Micro-Gen distributors (end users are not eligible to participate in program).

• Original or copies of original invoices dated between May 1 and June 30, 2005, will be accepted as proof of purchase.

• All promotional cards must be postmarked by July 31, 2005.

For more details about this promotion and others, contact the Whitmire Micro-Gen customer service department at 800/777-8570, or download information from www.wmmg.com.

Control Solutions to produce post-patent imidacloprid products

PASADENA, Texas — In April, Makhteshim Agan Industries announced an agreement with Bayer CropScience whereby MANA (Makhteshim Agan of North America) and other affiliates will introduce the first post-patent imidacloprid insecticides to the U.S. market.

As an affiliate of MANA, Control Solutions will produce imidacloprid pest control and turf and ornamental products. Imidacloprid is an active ingredient for broad-spectrum, systemic insect control for pest control and in row crops, vegetables, fruit, nut, vine crops, and non-crop uses in turf and ornamental.

Control Solutions slates January 2006 as a target date for its imidacloprid products to hit the professional pest control and turf markets. Control Solutions is a manufacturer and marketer of post-patent chemicals. The company markets a full range of herbicides, insecticides and fungicides as end-use products throughout the United States.