[News]

Steinmetz, Swayne Launch New ‘Once-A-Year’ Pest Company

CLEARWATER, Fla. — Chuck Steinmetz and Jim Swayne have launched Safer Home Services, a new once-a-year pest control and termite protection company based in Clearwater, Fla.

Steinmetz — one of the pioneers of once-a-year pest control — has been involved in the pest control industry for more than 40 years. He served in various capacities with Orkin (1961-73) and Truly Nolen (1974-77), and led the build-up and sale of All America Termite and Pest Control (1982-97). At the time of sale it was the largest privately owned pest control firm in the United States, with 125 locations. Following the sale of All America, Steinmetz was involved in Middleton Pest Control’s growth from 1977 to June 2005, when it was sold to Sunair.

Swayne began working with Steinmetz at Middleton in 1985, and joined the Sears leadership team in 1990, playing a large role in Sears’ growth in the west Florida and Texas markets. After the Sears Pest & Termite business was sold in 1997, both Steinmetz and Swayne pursued various interests outside of the pest industry.

In the summer of 2012 the duo began formulating ideas for a new company. Combining their technical service delivery model with new, state-of-the-art prescriptive-type materials, they have designed a new program. The company says it uses cutting-edge termite detection and control equipment and measures.

Safer Home Services will concentrate primarily on the residential market and the company has developed a once-a-year service protocol that it believes truly locks pests out of the home for an entire year — with one comprehensive annual service. Safer Home Services also will provide subterranean and drywood termite protection.

Steinmetz and Swayne say they believe the once-a-year model will allow the company to grow at a fast rate. Primarily utilizing a sales-technician approach, where the same person making the promises to the customers is the same person delivering on those promises, Safer says it can build a stronger relationship with the customer while being able to pay their technicians substantially more than the industry average, thereby attracting the best talent. In addition, Swayne has developed a comprehensive marketing and advertising plan that takes advantage of the many geotargeted streams available to launch Safer Home Services.
 

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Allen Fugler Resigns as FPMA EVP; Joins CRU

ORLANDO, Fla. — Allen Fugler last month resigned as executive vice president of the Florida Pest Management Association (FPMA). Fugler, who was hired by FPMA as executive vice president in 2007, announced he will be joining Orlando, Fla.-based Capital Risk Underwriters (CRU) as director of risk management. In this role, Fugler will work with CRU’s insured pest management professionals on regulatory compliance, employee training, file documentation and risk mitigation. He also will manage external company communications.

Michael Schmidt, president of CRU, said he is excited to have Fugler join the CRU team. “He brings a deep knowledge in many sectors of the pest profession and the risks of claims and lawsuits specific to it,” Schmidt said.

Reflecting on his six-plus years at FPMA, Fugler said he was proud of helping FPMA streamline operations and maximize efficiencies. For example, FPMA’s biweekly e-Flash has helped the association better communicate association and industry news. Additionally, Fugler said he was proud of FPMA starting the 501(c)(3) Florida Pest Management Foundation, which has made six awards of $500 to University of Florida entomology students, two of whom have remained in the pest control industry upon graduating, including NPMA Entomologist/Staff Scientist Bennett Jordan.

Prior to joining FPMA in 2007, Fugler worked for the Louisiana Insurance Pest Control Association as vice president of marketing, beginning in 1997. He started his career in the pest control industry in 1991 as executive director of the Louisiana Pest Control Association (LPCA). At press time, Fugler’s successor as FPMA executive vice president had not been announced. — Brad Harbison

Greg Baumann Joins Nisus Corporation

ROCKFORD, Tenn. — Nisus Corporation announced the appointment of Greg Baumann to the position of vice president of technical services and regulatory affairs. Baumann is a 35-year veteran of the pest control industry with a background in regulatory and technical areas.

Baumann previously worked at Atlanta-based Rollins where he served as vice president, training and technical services. Prior to Rollins, Baumann served the pest control industry as a regulatory and technical expert for nearly 20 years at the National Pest Management Association (NPMA), in roles that included government affairs manager and senior vice president, technical services.

Baumann holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Millersville State University, Millersville, Pa.

“Greg’s experience is unparalleled in the pest control industry,” says Kevin L. Kirkland, president/CEO of Nisus Corporation. “He has a firm grasp on the technical and regulatory aspect of our business, and he is extremely effective in communicating that expertise to PMPs, government agencies and even consumers, as he has demonstrated in his appearances on national television representing the industry. I believe Greg will be a tremendous contributor to the success of our customers and Nisus Corporation. He is one of the most genuine people in the industry and we are pleased to have him on the team.”
 

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Nisus Acquires Blue Diamond Manufacturing

Nisus Corporation acquired the assets and intellectual property of Blue Diamond Manufacturing, including its gel bait line. Blue Diamond’s Magnetic Roach Food brand gel bait began selling in the U.S. in 1989 and was the first bait to be sold commercially in 30cc tubes and applied with a bait gun. The product has remained in production since that time and has been registered in a number of countries.

“These gel bait products are a great addition to Nisus Corporation’s pest control line,” said Lee Barrett, vice president of pest control, Nisus. “The formula has been refined for over 25 years, and it is incredibly attractive to roaches.” Nisus says it plans to have the product ready for market as soon as the process of transferring the EPA registrations is complete.

Nisus also will handle the sales and marketing of the blue bait gun to be branded with the Nisus TrueTech equipment line as the “True Blue Bait Gun.” A new ant gel and a roach gel that Blue Diamond was in the final stages of launching also will be rebranded and launched after label revisions.
 

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University of Kentucky Announces 44th Annual Program

LEXINGTON, Ky. — The 44th Annual University of Kentucky Pest Control Short Course will be held Nov. 4-6 in Lexington, Ky.

The conference includes a money-back satisfaction guarantee and features one of the strongest programs in the country, officials say. Topics include a half-day business roundtable, dealing with irate customers, the truth about bees and pesticides, troubleshooting American and Oriental cockroaches, bed bugs, a food-service house of learning, how pests enter buildings, food plants and warehouses, secret lives of termites, insecticide lessons of a lifetime, and practical sessions on managing ants, flies, stink bugs, rodents and nuisance wildlife.

Featured speakers include Stoy Hedges, Cindy Mannes, Jeff White, Ted Bruesch, Dan Collins, Barbara Thorne, Chris Christensen, Missy Henriksen, Tom Dobrinska, Dean Stanbridge and Dave Naffziger.

For more information, contact Dr. Michael F. Potter, Department of Entomology, S-225 Agric. Sci. Bldg. N, University of Kentucky, Lexington, KY 40546-0091; Phone 859/257-5955; Email dthorpe@uky.edu.
 

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Mitsui Chemicals Agro, BASF Sign Agreement for New Insecticide

Tokyo, JAPAN and Limburgerhof, Germany – Mitsui Chemicals Agro. (MCAG) and BASF announced recently the signing of an exclusive global development and license agreement for a new insecticide (MCAG’s development code “MCI-8007”). Under the terms of the agreement, MCAG has granted BASF a worldwide, exclusive license to commercialize the new insecticide, except in Japan and several other countries where MCAG will hold the exclusive and/or co-exclusive rights.

Featuring a new mode of action, the active ingredient will provide pest management professionals and growers with a unique and attractive solution, the firm says. It also will be an important rotation partner in managing insect resistance.

Intended use applications for the new insecticide include urban pest control settings as well as leafy vegetables, fruiting vegetables, soybeans and other legumes, cotton, corn and rice. It will control many problematic insects, including termites, ants, cockroaches and flies in the professional pest management market as well as caterpillars and beetles in specialty and row crops.

“BASF is committed to delivering innovative insect control solutions to growers and pest management professionals. This new, highly effective active ingredient enhances BASF’s insecticide pipeline, providing complementary chemistry to our current and future solutions,” said Markus Heldt, president of BASF’s Crop Protection division.

“This new molecule was discovered by MCAG. We are very glad that the joint development has been started with BASF on a global basis. MCAG believes that this new insecticide can contribute to the improvement in food production and living environment in the world,” said Takehiko Kanai, president of MCAG.

Both companies intend to develop unique formulations for specific markets and applications. Significant research over the next three years will continue, with the first registration submission in 2016 for Japan, with other markets following in 2017. The agreement remains subject to relevant governmental approvals. Additional details were not disclosed.

Termidor SC Receives Use Exemption for Tawny Crazy Ants in Mississippi

A quarantine exemption has been issued by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the expanded use of Termidor SC termiticide/insecticide to aid in the control of the invasive crazy ant species, Nylanderia fulva (Mayr), also known as the tawny crazy ant (TCA) or Rasberry crazy ant. The exemption allows for TCA control treatments to be made to the exterior of man-made structures in Jackson, Hancock and Harrison Counties in Mississippi. The counties covered by the exemption are the only areas in the state where TCA has been positively identified to date.

“The Termidor Section 18 label allows pest management professionals (PMPs) in Mississippi to apply Termidor with expanded uses to help control these invasive ants,” said Bob Davis, BASF Pest Control Solutions technical specialist. The Section 18 label allows PMPs to treat 3 feet up and 10 feet out on sod from the structure foundation and to apply to a 10-foot radius around utility wires.

Termidor SC termiticide/insecticide is the only product that can be used for this quarantine exemption, BASF says. The exemption expires Nov. 1, 2015.

Mississippi and surrounding states have seen an increasing amount of TCA infestations, which is an invasive ant species that originated in South America. The ant is called “crazy” due to its quick and erratic movements. These pests can be found in groups of hundreds of thousands, creating unsightly foraging trails along sidewalks, around buildings, and on trees and shrubs. The ants are not considered a public health nuisance.

For more information about the exemption or Section 18 Label directions, visit pestcontrol.basf.us.
 

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Former Residex CEO Chris Donaghy Founds PowerPlay Strategies Consulting Business

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Most people spend the majority of their waking hours in the workplace, and it is the mission of Chris Donaghy’s new company, PowerPlay Strategies, to make that place a more harmonious and happier place to reside, while reaping the rewards of hard work that follow a strategic pathway.

Formerly the CEO of Residex, Donaghy founded PowerPlay Strategies in January as a professional consulting service to help business owners and executives lead rewarding lives at work by connecting them to meaningful business strategies and solutions that lead to productive, profitable work environments. He founded the Daytona Beach-based business because, he said, “We believe there is a real serious value gap within the industry to find professional consulting services that will truly make a difference in your business and, therefore, your personal lives.”

To help businesses, Donaghy focuses on the strategic overview of a firm, and then works with the executive team to identify the critical growth constraints within the organization or facilitate the development of a strategic plan if none exists. “It is a well-known fact that executives who plan for success tend to run successful businesses as long as the leaders and followers are aligned to the same greater purpose and vision, and most importantly, as long as the leaders are walking the talk and not just talking,” Donaghy said. “Commitment from the top down is essential in any organization if the balance of the team is expected to follow.”

Additionally, alignment to critically important company goals requires sound accountability standards, thus the first step is defining these for all levels of employment and optimizing the organizational structure for the desired results. “We begin by creating role descriptions and job parts and expectations for each position,” he said. “Clearly defined measurable performance standards for every position will bring about strong results as long as leaders and managers hold people accountable and reward them for meeting those standards.”

PowerPlay Strategies includes a team of experts with more than 70 years combined industry experience “from the board room to the crawlspace, and everything else in between.” Additionally, the company is connected to a group of business consultants with expertise in sales, social media, marketing, IT security, finance, training, strategic planning and other critical areas. The company also works with domestic and international suppliers in gaining traction with new product launches and understanding market trends.

“We understand that all businesses reach growth plateaus and struggle to move to the next level,” Donaghy said. “We can help you define the strategies and solutions that will guide your company to an ascending pathway that is aligned to your greater purpose.”

Recognized as a PCT/Syngenta Crown Leadership Award Recipient in 2011, Donaghy began his career in the pest management industry as a pest control sales professional in Virginia Beach, Va. He would later attain positions of great responsibility, including supervising and managing small and large branch operations for a regional pest control company and serving in several executive capacities for the second largest distributor from operations manager, general manager and president to CEO and chairman. Donaghy was a 2012 Penn State Department of Agriculture Outstanding Alumni Award recipient; holds BCE credentials in veterinarian and urban entomology; and has authored “Core Convictions, A Memoir of Roland Rhodes & the History of WWII” and several PCT business solutions articles. He earned his bachelor of science degree in entomology from Penn State in 1985. To contact Donaghy, email him at c130.donaghy@gmail.com.
 

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Univar Announces New Kiosks and Information Centers in its ProCenters

AUSTIN, Texas — Univar Environmental Sciences recently announced the arrival of new kiosks and information centers at its ProCenters. Univar ES is committed to listening to its customers, and using their feedback to make meaningful additions to its product and service offerings, the company says. This response is part of its ongoing mission to provide PMPs with the resources they need, when they need them, Univar reports.

To improve the customer shopping experience, many ProCenters across the country have been (or will be in the near future) outfitted with new information centers and touchscreen kiosks. PMPs will have in-store access to exclusive monthly promotions, product information, Premier Services, print-ready labels and SDSs, and PestWeb.com, all at their fingertips.

“We want to maximize the experience and time PMPs spend at our ProCenters, so investing in these kiosks and information centers was essential. Keeping up with the latest information is key to maintaining and growing their businesses,” said Karl J. Kisner, vice president, marketing, Environmental Sciences & Agriculture. “And we’re able to educate and inform our customers by utilizing the latest in touchscreen technology.”
 

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Cantu Expands Into Houston

HOUSTON, Texas — Cantu Enterprises (Dallas), parent of Cantu Pest Control, Addison, Texas, acquired Technical Pest Services based in Houston. The acquisition expands Cantu’s operations outside the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Technical Pest Services, established in 1992, was owned by Rick and Mona Kocurek. Based in Spring Branch, Texas, it serves more than 600 customers in the Houston area. “We felt the time was right to sell our business and we were looking for a partner that would continue our commitment to customer service and provide our employees with an opportunity for growth,” said Rick Kocurek.

“Being a former resident of Houston, I am familiar with the opportunity that exists here,” said Cantu Vice President and General Manager Tony Rios. “Rick and Mona have done a great job in building a business that can easily be grown by leveraging the great customer service they provide and the goodwill they have created. All of the Technical Pest associates will be a great fit with the culture here at Cantu.”

This marks the sixth acquisition the company has completed in Texas, including five in the DFW area and one in Houston.
 

FMC Expands Leadership Team with Promotion of Todd; Names Thota to Lead Professional Solutions

PHILADELPHIA — FMC Corporation continues to invest in the professional pest services market by naming Bethwyn Todd to a newly created, expanded role and bringing in Pramod Thota to lead FMC Professional Solutions (FPS), the business unit within FMC Agricultural Solutions serving the pest, turf and ornamental industries.

Todd’s role includes leadership of FMC’s new BioSolutions and Seed Treatment businesses while retaining executive oversight of FPS as global business director. Among other advantages, this position will allow Todd to leverage research and development of biologicals and other pest-fighting innovations across all business units, FMC says. Thota has been appointed director of FPS, focusing on long-term growth, strategic alliances and new product development.

“We are certain these changes will bring greater focus to our emerging businesses and establish the right structure to deliver exceptional results,” said Mark Douglas, president, FMC Agricultural Solutions.

Todd joined FMC in October 2010 as development and regulatory manager for FMC, Asia Pacific. In June 2012, she moved to the company’s Philadelphia headquarters to assume the role of director, FMC Professional Solutions. In addition to leading growth initiatives, working with customers and distributors, and helping bring new products to market, she has been active in the company’s global strategic alliance with Chr. Hansen, a leading biosciences company. FMC has created an end-to-end biological platform that complements its traditional strengths in synthetic chemistries, and positions the company to be a future leader in biological plant protection, the company reports.

Thota joins FMC Professional Solutions from the company’s Corporate Development and Strategy Team, where he spent the last two years focusing on strategy, mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and global business development. Prior to FMC, Thota worked as a management consultant with Strategy& (formerly Booz & Company) and advised major chemical and energy companies on growth strategies, M&A and strategic business transformations. He holds a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in civil engineering as well as a master’s of business administration from Duke University.
 

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Fumigants & Pheromones Conference Held in Poland

KRAKOW, Poland — The recent Fumigants & Pheromones Conference brought 150 people and one dog from 35 countries and six continents to Krakow, Poland, to learn about the latest advancements in stored product pest management. Held every two years, the next conference will be in Adelaide, Australia, in March 2016.

The conference’s theme was “Pest Management around the World,” and speakers included Bobby Corrigan, Stan Ignatowicz, Otto Mück, Alain VanRyckeghem, Rikiya Sasaki, David Liska, Vasilis Sotiroudas, Austin Frishman, Axel Heptinne, Arda Taner, Stan Buckley, Shashank Nagaraj, Annette Johansson (with Ashes the dog), Pat Kelley, David Mueller, Pete Mueller, Alexander Zrely, Gennady Zakladnoy and Frank Arthur.

After three days of meetings, the group was bused to one of the original UNESCO World Heritage sites at the Wieliczka Salt Mine, where a gala dinner was held in a 450-year-old salt mine that was used to preserve food. The final day included excursions to various sites in and around Krakow.

David Mueller, conference organizer and president of Insects Limited and Fumigation Service & Supply, Westfield, Ind., said, “Attendees at this meeting were different from most educational conferences; they came to visit old friends, learn about practical ideas to improve their business, and to see a part of the world that they have not seen before.”