[View Point] 100 to the Power of 10

t’s been 10 years since the first PCT Top 100 list. What started as a "Hey-let’s-see how-this-works" project has blossomed into one of the most eagerly anticipated issues of the year for PCT’s readers. The list, which ranks the pest management industry’s 100 largest firms by service revenues, is by far the most challenging project the PCT staff works on throughout the year — but it’s also the most gratifying.

Here’s a little history about how this list came about: Throughout 2001, PCT’s editorial staff (Dan Moreland, Brad Harbison and I) began collecting demographic and revenue information from PCT subscribers. In January 2002, PCT published its first Top 100 List, which reflected 2000 revenues. That first list (which actually featured 101 companies because the last two were tied) ended at $2.6 million. This year’s list ends at its highest point ever, at more than $4.8 million in annual revenue.

In this special 10th anniversary issue of the PCT Top 100 — to which we’ve dedicated 23 pages of coverage — PCT has provided a look back at trends in the pest management industry throughout the past decade, as well as profiles of companies that are new to the list. Additionally, we thought it would be fun to review PCT’s 10 Top 100 covers (see page 45). We’ve included some behind-the-scenes information on each of the covers and we hope you enjoy our thoughts on each one. Which do you like the best? Select your favorite cover by visiting the "Online Extras" section on the www.pctonline.com homepage for a chance to win $100.

Also, since most of PCT’s readers are not Top 100 firms, we’ve included several articles about companies on the list that provide insights into how they run their businesses — with take-away tips everyone can benefit from, regardless of the size of your business.

The biggest enhancement to this year’s list is PCT’s commemorative poster, which is inserted into the magazine on page 35. Our hope is that you tear out this eight-page poster and hang it up in your office to reference throughout the year. There’s lots of great data here and we hope this new poster format enables you to easily access the numbers you need.

Here are a few additional notes about this year’s list:

• As acquisitions continue to abound in the marketplace, there are some notable names no longer on PCT’s Top 100 list — including Middleton Pest Control (purchased by Massey Services), Antimite Termite and Pest Control/SOS Exterminating (purchased by Terminix) and Waltham Services (purchased by Rollins).

• Companies in the PCT Top 100 list earned almost $5 billion in 2010.

• As in years past, PCT’s website features an interactive map (online at http://bit.ly/pcttop100) where you can see company information and view live links to each of the Top 100 firms’ websites.

Throughout the past 10 years, the PCT staff has learned a lot about the pest management industry and how many of your firms operate. We appreciate you sharing such specific details about your companies, particularly your operational and financial data. This list wouldn’t exist without your cooperation.

Additionally, we must note there are several pest management firms that prefer not to disclose their revenue numbers to PCT but we include them on the Top 100 list anyway. Those numbers are estimated by our staff after exhaustive research and conversations with those folks "in the know" in the marketplace. Our job is to make the list as accurate as it can be and without those firms, it wouldn’t be a complete picture.

About our inaugural list, I wrote in my January 2002 column to "Take this list with a grain of salt. They’re just numbers. But they sure are interesting…" I feel the same way today. But I do think the companies on this list are to be commended for growing their market share and making a name for themselves in such difficult economic times.

Lots of pest management professionals have come on (and off) the PCT Top 100 list throughout the past 10 years — and our staff looks forward to meeting and learning about the many entrepreneurs who will appear on this list in the next 10 years.

The author is editor of PCT magazine.