News

HOW WILL THE NEW CONGRESS IMPACT PCOs in 2003?

WASHINGTON — The November congressional elections, which gave Republicans majority control of both houses of Congress, is generally being viewed as good news for the pest control industry.

The GOP historically has supported small business owners such as pest control operators.

"On fiscal issues and regulatory issues in general, even for Democrats, it’s hard to deny that Republican control in both houses is beneficial to PCOs," said Bob Rosenberg, director of government affairs, National Pest Management Association (NPMA).

However, a secondary effect of Novem-ber’s election could be cause for concern for the pest control industry. Rosenberg said that Senate Democrats, looking to upcoming elections to regain the majority, will focus on important "wedge issues" to attack the Republicans. One of the issues Democrats likely will attack Republicans on is the environment.

"What happens is that the Republicans will be afraid to cast votes against certain environmental issues," Rosenberg said. "So the bottom line is Republican control of Congress is good for fiscal reasons, but on environmental issues it is a little more ambiguous."

One of the more interesting outcomes of the election was for the New Jersey Senate seat that became available after Sen. Robert Torricelli chose not to run for re-election.

Last year, Torricelli co-authored the School Environmental Protection Act (SEPA), an amendment to the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). SEPA was pesticide legislation designed to set safety standards for the use of pesticides in and around public schools. Torricelli was initially viewed as an industry adversary, but Rosenberg said he was receptive to feedback from the pest management industry.

"We had made our peace with Torricelli and found that he was someone we could work with," Rosenberg said. "It took us a while to get there but once we got there we found him to be a man of his word. He did what he said he would do and honored his agreements."

Of greater concern for Rosenberg is Torricelli’s replacement, Frank Laut-enberg (D-N.J.), who defeated Douglas Forrester (R-N.J.) in New Jersey’s Senate race. In 1997, the House passed a bill that exempted PCOs from hazmat requirements for small quantities of pesticides and Lautenberg was the only member of the House or Senate in opposition of the bill.

"It’s normally hard to find instances when a single member of Congress hurt you because that’s not the way Congress works. In Lautenberg’s case you can," Rosenberg said.

Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.), a past supporter of the pest control industry who filed SEPA, won a tough re-election battle over Republican Suzanne Haik Terrell.

Landrieu defeated Terrell in a special run-off election held Saturday, Dec. 7. Returns had Landrieu with 638,654 votes, or 52 percent, to 596,642 for Terrell, according to the Associated Press.

Landrieu received 46 percent of the vote in Louisiana’s unique open primary Nov. 5, but she needed a majority to win. The three major Republican candidates won more than half the vote, led by Terrell, the state’s election commissioner.

During her term, Landrieu has served on the Senate Appropriations Committee, helping to keep language harmful to the pest management industry out of appropriations bills. She also played an aggressive role with SEPA.

"In the last two sessions of Congress there probably isn’t any member of the House or Senate that has been more helpful to the pest management industry than Mary Landrieu," Rosenberg said. "We probably would have had to go a whole different direction with SEPA if she had not been there. She changed the face of that issue entirely by her personal involvement."

SEPA was not included in the final version of H.R. 1, the Better Education for All Students and Teachers Act or in the final version of the farm bill. Both bills were passed last year.

More than 90 percent of House incumbents were re-elected in the November election. NPMA-supported Tim Holden (D-Pa.) won central Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District race by a mere 2 percentage points over Republican George Gekas. Both Holden and Gekas were incumbents pitted against each other due to census redistricting.

Rosenberg said NPMA was disappointed to lose "industry friendly" House incumbents Karen Thurman (D-Fla.) and Ronnie Shows (D-Miss.). Thurman lost Florida’s 5th Congressional District race to Ginny Brown-Waite (R-Fla.), while Shows lost Mississippi’s 3rd Congressional District race to Chip Pickering (R-Miss.). — Brad Harbison

SPC RELEASES ANALYSIS OF LATIN AMERICAN MARKET MENDHAM, N.J. — Specialty Products Consultants LLC (SPC) has completed a market research study of the urban pest control industry in Mexico and Brazil.

This "benchmark" study examines the $1 billion market for pest control services in Mexico and Brazil. This revenue figure encompasses service revenue generated by all pest control companies for general pest control work (e.g., ants, cockroaches, fleas, etc.) and rodent control in residential and commercial establishments, as well as pre- and post-construction termite control work.

Mexico and Brazil were selected for this research as they represent the strongest economies in Latin America and can be expected to lead the way in technology utilization and expanding professional services, SPC reported.

Aventis (now Bayer Environmental Science) and FMC hold leading insecticide positions in Mexico with the synthetic pyrethroids Biothrine (deltamethrin) and Cynoff (cyper-methrin). BASF’s Storm (flocouma-fen) rodenticide is the market leader for control of mice and rats in both commercial and residential settings in Mexico.

In Brazil, Syngenta dominates the insecticide market with Demand (lambda-cyhalothrin). Aventis’ Kothrine (deltamethrin) and Dow AgroSciences’ Dursban (chlorpyrifos) are also popular. Syngenta’s Klerat (brodifacoum) and Contrac (broma-diolone), which is marketed by Aventis, are among the leading rodent control products in Brazil.

For further information, contact Gary Curl at 973/543-5195 or Specialtypc@aol.com. Specialty Products Consultants LLC, Mendham, N.J., is a marketing and business development consultancy dedicated to the specialty products industry.

JAMES H. CINK JOINS WHITMIRE MICRO-GEN
ST. LOUIS, MO. — Dr. Jim Cink has joined Whitmire Micro-Gen’s Research & Development team. Cink will focus on furthering the development of the com-pany’s emerging termite technologies and other new product initiatives. His immediate responsibilities include assuming lead research responsibilities for continuing data development in support of Whitmire Micro-Gen’s current termite products and overseeing laboratory and field evaluations of new termite developments.

Cink, a graduate of Iowa State Univer-sity’s entomology department, has more than 20 years’ experience in product development and market introduction. He recently served as coordinator, product and technical support for Bayer Corporation in the company’s Environmental Science Division. He was responsible for technical support and project management of Bayer’s most recent termite control product introductions. While with Bayer, Cink received numerous career awards, including being named Person of the Year for 2001, Bayer ES’ highest honor.

"Whitmire Micro-Gen has historically demonstrated strong and consistent growth and a fervent commitment to the pest management industry," Cink said. "I believe this trend will continue and look forward to being part of what I see as a bright future."

PARSONS PROVES AEGIS BAIT STATION IS "FASTEST TO SERVICE"

MILWAUKEE — Dan Parsons, Critter Getters Pest Control, Salisbury, Md., showed how easy it is to service an Aegis bait station by winning LiphaTech’s timed putting contest at the NPMA convention in October. For his winning time of 15:04 seconds, Parsons received a golf bag embroidered with the Aegis logo.

Almost 100 show attendees participated in the contest, which involved putting a golf ball into an Aegis Modular, Clear Lid and traditional black bait station, then using Aegis’ universal key to quickly retrieve the ball from each station before moving on to the next.

"People had a lot of fun with this contest, but at the same time, they were able to try out the products and see for themselves that the Aegis product line is truly the fastest to service," said Al Smith, LiphaTech’s national sales and marketing manager. "When participants realized that it doesn’t take a lot of force or constant twisting to open these stations, the times really started dropping."

Gift certificates were awarded to those who finished second through fifth:

• Gary Clark, Excel Pest Control Ltd. Fredericton, Canada — 16.44

• Jeff Holper, Holper’s Pest and Animal Solutions, St. Louis — 16.82

• Jeremiah Ryden, Gunter Pest Management Inc., Kansas City — 19.59

• Gerald Walsh, Braemar Pest Control Ltd., Bedford, Canada — 20.29

FORMER PCO OFFERS BUSINESS COACHING SERVICE

WILMETTE, ILL. — Ron Porte and John Roadhouse recently formed New Ground LLC, an organization that offers coaching to clients throughout the United States, including pest management professionals. The two are certified personal, professional and business coaches.

Porte has more than 30 years of pest control industry experience. For 16 years, he was president of Chicago’s Aerex Pest Control Service. As president of Aerex, Porte facilitated a group of local business executives that met once a month to discuss issues affecting their businesses. "I was fascinated by what came out of that process," he said. "Given the opportunity to be heard, many different issues were resolved."

When Porte decided to exit the pest control industry, he sold his company and founded New Ground with Roadhouse, also a full-time professional coach. The two work with clients in professional and personal settings to enhance leadership, performance, accountability and growth.

"I work with entrepreneurs, CEOs and upper-level managers who are trying to improve their leadership skills or take their business to the next level," Porte said.

According to the company, coaching is a process of evaluating your present experience in your business life, or in your personal or professional life, and discovering what needs changing and how to do it. The company is made up of seasoned coaches who are trained and certified by the Coaches Training Institute.

In addition to the company’s coaching services, workshops are also offered and can be specifically tailored. Porte has begun working on content for a two-day workshop. "My goal is to structure something that allows participants to identify issues most challenging to them, address those issues in a practical manner for both long- and short-term solutions, and to leave with an action plan for which they have a real sense of accountability," he said. "The program would be very experiential in nature rather than the multiple lecture format."

For more information, call at 847/251-2900 or visit www.newgroundcoaching.com.

PARAGON SALES PROMOTION BENEFITS STATE ASSOCIATIONS

MEMPHIS, TENN. — State pest control associations potentially could share an extra $200,000 or more in funding if they and their members participate in the "Contribute With Conquer" sales promotion that has been launched this month by Paragon Professional Pest Control Products.

Paragon will donate $1 to participating state pest control associations for every pint of Conquer Residual Insecticide Concentrate purchased by a pest management professional from Jan. 1 to April 30. With every purchase of Conquer, PCOs simply must designate on a contribution submission form the state association to receive the appropriate contribution, and send it with dated proof of purchase to Paragon. State associations will receive contributions by the end of June.

Potentially, $200,000 could be generated from sales during the four-month promotion if at least 200 members in 25 participating state associations (5,000 pest management professionals) order 10 pints of Conquer per month during the four-month promotion period (5,000 pest management professionals X 40 pints of Conquer purchased = 200,000 total pints of Conquer purchased X $1 contribution per Conquer pint purchased = $200,000 in total contributions).

All state pest control associations and distributors who sell Conquer should have received in December a letter announcing the "Contribute With Conquer" promotion and inviting them to support the effort. Associations will be asked to endorse and publicize the program heavily through advertisements and articles in newsletters, bulletins, Web sites and direct mailings to association members. Distributors will receive countertop displays and ad slicks with contribution submission forms to remind pest management professionals about the promotion. Paragon will provide artwork and promotional materials at no cost to participating associations and distributors.

"Sponsoring this program allows Paragon to help pest management professional organizations fulfill their respective missions and projects — which is good for the pest management professional industry, state association member pest management professionals and, ultimately, our customers," said Rick McDonald, Paragon general manager. "If it’s successful, Paragon would like to sponsor this as an annual event."

Paragon is a national distributor of materials and products to other distributors in the pest control industry. The general-use insecticide is sold exclusively by Paragon to other distributors.

GLOBAL ISSUES DISCUSSED AT FAOPMA CONFERENCE

Yokohoma, Japan — More than 800 pest management professionals attended the 14th annual Federation of Asian and Oceania Pest Managers Association (FAOPMA) conference in Yokohoma, Japan, Nov. 10-12.

The event, which was co-hosted by the Japan Pest Control Association, provided a forum for the international pest control community to discuss pressing global pest control issues. More than 30 countries were represented at this year’s event. The event included several technical presentations, including "The Future Of Urban Entomology" by Dr. Bill Robinson, and "The Challenge Of Making IPM Successful In Urban Pest Control."

A number of National Pest Management Association members, including Bob Kunst, Judy Dold, Norm Cooper and Michael Weisburger, gave presentations on a variety of business-related topics ranging from overhauling your company’s image to risk reduction.

COMINGS AND GOINGS

Paul Bello, an industry veteran with years of pest control experience, has recently been named a technical director at Orkin Pest Control. Bello will work out of the Technical Service Department as one of the technical directors with Paul Hardy and Frank Meek.

The Pennsylvania Pest Management Association announced recipients of the Joseph F. Salino Memorial Scholarship: Mallory Bieber, Emily Rice, Mary Mor-rison and Emily Goff. Each received $750.

Rosalie Rinaldi, warehouse manager for the Residex Elmsford, N.Y., branch is retiring after 15 years of service to Residex Corporation and nearly 40 years in the pest control industry. She will continue to do some part-time work with Residex.

LESCO recently announced the appointment of Steven Cochran to the position of senior vice president, sales, and the realignment of its field sales organization. Dana Wilson, who previously held the senior vice president, sales position, will assume a revised role with responsibility for the opening of new stores and other sales growth opportunities.

Concurrent with the realignment, LESCO added 54 new sales representative positions. The company’s previous field structure was a sales channel organization where lawn care and golf were under separate management teams.

David A. Warman, formerly of Novartis and Griffin LLC, has joined Agrisel USA Inc., as director of marketing, heading up new product development and marketing.

Stuart Mitchell, technical director for Springer Pest Solutions, Cape Corel, Fla., has received his second doctorate of philosophy degree in general zoology. His first was a doctorate of philosophy in urban entomology.

Ronald Meringolo, executive director of the New York State Pest Management Alliance, was named president of Pest Control Executive Council at NYSPMA’s annual meeting held during the NPMA Pest Management ’02 Convention in Orlando, Fla., in October.

Due to company growth, Presto-X-Company recently announced a series of promotions.

Aaron Cary was promoted to Davenport branch manager, Rob Christiansen to Des Moines branch manager, Eric Rimiller to Northern Missouri branch manager and Kevin Carpenter as the new Wyoming branch manager.

In addition, Johann Fry was appointed the new Western Iowa branch manager, Bob Zozaya Sr. to Omaha Pest Management branch manager and Tim Larson to quality assurance manager.

Presto-X-Company welcomes Matt Urbanec as quality assurance manager. Gene Meester, Omaha pest management branch manager, has retired after 41 years of service.

Massey Services Inc. announced the appointment of John Brady to the position of general manager of the company’s Oviedo Service Center. He joined Massey in March 2002 as a manager trainee.