[News]

Cantu Enterprises Acquires Third Dallas Pest Control Firm

Express Pest Control’s Don Bridwell (left) and Discount Pest & Lawn’s Dennis Reed.

DALLAS — Cantu Enterprises Holdings (CEH), parent of Express Services in McKinney, Texas, has acquired Discount Pest and Lawn based in Carrollton, Texas. Discount Pest and Lawn serves residential and commercial pest and termite customers as well as full-service lawn care customers throughout the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area.

"We sold to Express because of their commitment to employee development and their care for the customer," said Dennis Reed, owner of Discount Pest and Lawn. Reed will continue to serve as a consultant in customer service and business development with Express Services. "We are excited about the addition of Discount Pest and Lawn into the Express family," said Albert Cantu, chairman and CEO of CEH, based in Memphis, Tenn. "Dennis has built a great business and we are flattered that he chose us to partner with to continue the great customer service Discount is known for. We continue to look to make additional investments in the Dallas-Fort Worth market as well as other major markets throughout the Southeast." Cantu is the former president and COO of Terminix International and is an executive partner at Waud Capital Partners, a Chicago-based private equity firm.

This marks CEH's third acquisition in the Dallas-Fort Worth market. CEH began its entry into the Dallas market in 2009 with the acquisition of Express Pest Control from owner Shawn Felts. CEH completed its second acquisition in April 2011 with the purchase of Complete Pest and Termite Control based in Plano, Texas. Larry Wheeler, former owner of Complete Pest and Termite, said, "Express was the right fit for me and my business when I decided to retire from the pest control industry. They are focused on the employee and their importance in providing great customer service."

"We are always looking for great companies to partner with and these two are some of the best," observed Don Bridwell, vice president and general manager at Express. "We look forward to continuing the great service legacy that Complete has built."
 

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NPMA Completes Haiti Mission

FAIRFAX, VA. — The fourth and final humanitarian delegation of the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) completed its mission to Haiti in July. Over the past year, NPMA provided much-needed assistance to several facilities in Port-au-Prince through its collaboration with the Haitian Minister of Environment, a Haitian pest management company, and hospital and orphanage administrators. In the aftermath of the January 2010 earthquake, pest infestations had become a serious threat to human health, especially in places such as hospitals and orphanages.

Tom Nishimura of BASF shows children from a Haitian orphanage photos on his camera. They never had seen photos of themselves before. Nishimura said it was a pleasure to give these children that opportunity.

NPMA used its resources to minimize entry points for pests, purchase products designed to prevent pest infestations in buildings and train Haitian pest control workers so they can properly perform pest control operations as the country continues its recovery.

"The National Pest Management Association and our delegates are humbled and honored to have been able to contribute our resources and expertise to a country in need," said Rob Lederer, executive vice president for NPMA. "While the services our delegates provided may seem basic to most Americans, in Haiti they can mean the difference between sickness and health — and even life and death."

NPMA delegates and their Haitian pest control counterparts worked to install more than 500 screens to protect hospital patients from disease-carrying flies and mosquitoes in areas such as delivery rooms and neonatal care areas, as well as emergency and operating rooms.

Teams also installed 500 rat bait stations and more than 200 fly bait stations at three hospitals and one orphanage in the capital city. St. Damien's Hospital administrators reported that the recent addition of rat control services has greatly reduced rat populations with about 100 rats being removed from the grounds each day.
 

Specialty Inspections Wins Vikane Banner Contest

INDIANAPOLIS — Specialty Inspections of Pleasanton, Calif., won first place in the eighth annual "Fumigation Banner Bonanza Contest" sponsored by Pest Control Operators of California and Dow AgroSciences, the manufacturer of Vikane gas fumigant. The contest recognizes California fumigators for easy-to-read, professional and creative signs at fumigation sites.

Specialty Inspections' winning banner features a "QR" code that, when scanned with a smartphone, takes the consumer directly to the company's website that explains fumigation and allows visitors to request inspections.

"I had seen QR codes being used to advertise other companies' websites," said Lawrence Druga, inspector with Specialty Inspections. "I thought it would be a state-of-the-art way to help consumers understand how a fumigation works and order one quickly."

Second place was Admiral Pest Control of Bellflower, Calif.; third was Big Valley Termite & Pest Control in Pleasanton, Calif; and fourth was Quality Care Termite Control in Laguna Hills, Calif.

Companies submitted photos of their banners, which included business name, logo and contact information. Banners were judged by a panel of communications specialists on readability from a distance, professionalism, visual impact and attractiveness. Each of the winning companies earned a gift certificate worth either $1,250, $1,000, $500 or $250.

"We're proud to once again sponsor PCOC's contest as a way to help our fumigator partners build their businesses and promote industry efforts to educate homeowners on the need for professional services," says Justin Stewart, Dow AgroSciences product manager for Vikane gas fumigant.
 

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NC Association Welcomes New Leaders at NPMA Mid-Atlantic Conference

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, N.C. — Pest management technicians from three states gathered in July in Wrightsville Beach to convene the 2011 National Pest Management Association Carolinas/Mid-Atlantic Summer Conference featuring discussions about the newest pests to affect the region. In addition, the North Carolina Pest Management Association (NCPMA) welcomed its new leadership team for 2011-12.

Conference seminars focused on techniques for treating pests that are new to the region including the Asian needle ant, brown marmorated stink bugs and bed bugs. Pest management technicians from across North Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia gathered at the conference to learn the latest research and techniques for treating these new pests.

NCPMA's new officers include President Burns Blackwell of Terminix Co. in Greensboro; Vice President Mitch Taylor of Capital Pest Services in Raleigh; Secretary/Treasurer Scott Canady of Canady's Services in Lumber Bridge; and Past President Kristin Dodd-Tarleton of Carolina Pest Management in Monroe.

"As the new executive officers of the North Carolina Pest Management Association, we are looking forward to representing our association and our industry," said Burns Blackwell, 2011-12 association president. "The past few years have been filled with changes for our industry, and this year promises to be just as eventful. Our board of directors is filled with a great mix of smart, professional individuals from across the state, and we are excited about working together to benefit our industry."

In addition to the new officers, the board of directors also welcomed five new members: Al Fogleman of Sawyer Exterminating, Doug Mills of MGK, Clint Miller of Clint Miller Exterminating, Donnie Shelton of Triangle Pest Control and David Shumate of HomeTeam Pest Defense.
 

Bell VP John Schwerin Retires

MADISON, WIS. — John Schwerin, vice president of international sales for Bell Laboratories, retired at the end of July after 27 years with the Madison-based rodenticide manufacturer.

"We wish John well and thank him for his contributions, commitment and friendship over the years," said Bell President and CEO, Steve Levy.

A familiar face to many in the pest control industry, Schwerin was hired by Bell's founder, Malcolm Stack, in March 1984.

Schwerin originally joined Bell as a sales representative for the East Coast where he covered a territory spanning parts of the Midwest, South, New England and eastern Canada. After 3½ years, Schwerin briefly left Bell to work for a Dallas company, returning six months later as Bell's regional marketing manager with sales responsibility. As Bell's business grew, Schwerin's role expanded to deal with new markets in domestic professional sales, animal health and international sales.

For years, Schwerin managed Bell's domestic and Canadian sales teams, opening new territories where he saw potential growth. "As sales increased, the number of sales reps grew, from two of us originally, to three, then four and now we have 11 domestic and six international representatives, plus regional managers," Schwerin noted.

In 1999, with international sales taking off, Schwerin became director of corporate sales and marketing, managing Bell's domestic and international sales for the professional, agricultural and retail markets. In making the appointment, Stack noted Schwerin's keen understanding "of our strengths and the direction the company is going" and his ability to integrate the Bell philosophy into "a unified approach to sales and service throughout the world."

Throughout his career, Schwerin worked closely with Stack. "Not only was it a worthwhile working experience but a very good friendship," Schwerin noted of Stack who passed away in 2006 at the age of 70. "Malcolm had a vision for growth that included product development and design for what is needed in the industry as the industry changes.

"Bell became the innovators with a level of trust and integrity that filtered through the industry due to leadership. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to grow within the organization and feel grateful I could contribute and see the success of the company," he said.

Schwerin lives in Madison with his wife, Terry, a flight attendant, and their two college-aged children.
 

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Memphis to Host International IPM Conference in March 2012

URBANA, ILL. — The 7th International IPM Symposium, "IPM on the World Stage," will be held in Memphis, Tenn., March 27-29, 2012, at the Memphis Cook Convention Center. The headquarters hotel will be the Memphis Marriott Downtown.

Symposium sessions will address Integrated Pest Management (IPM) across disciplines and on an international scale.

The 6th IPM Symposium, held in 2009, attracted more than 700 research, education, government, industry and environmental and health professionals from 29 countries for three days of presentations, networking and organizational meetings on key pest management issues. For more information, visit www.ipmcenters.org/ipmsymposium12/.
 

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TNC to Represent P+L Systems in North America

KNARESBOROUGH, U.K. — P+L Systems, a global manufacturer of flying insect and bird control solutions and commercial washroom hygiene products, has partnered with TNC to market its products in North America. TNC, based in New Jersey, is a consulting and service company.

TNC will manage all sales and product support functions and is led by Chris Bowley, a 30-year veteran of the pest management industry in both North America and Europe.

"We are delighted to make this announcement" said Peter Mangion, managing director of P+L Systems. "We believe that the innovations and quality that go into our products have allowed us to establish a foundational foothold in North America, however strong sales and service support is essential if we wish to take the business to the next step. The reputation and experience possessed by Chris Bowley and TNC are, in my opinion, precisely what we need to reach our ambitious growth goals."

P+L Systems recently completed a number of acquisitions in the pest control industry, including the Synergetic flying insect control brand and Network, a leading European bird control brand.

For more information regarding P+L Systems products in the United States, Canada and Caribbean, contact TNC at 877/928-2847.
 

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TruGreen Adds Hybrid Trucks to California Fleet

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — ServiceMaster added 10 hybrid vehicles to its TruGreen fleet in California. The first truck was put into service in March.

The company reported that utilizing hybrid vehicles will help reduce its carbon footprint by improving fuel economy by up to 40 percent, providing a 30 percent reduction in maintenance costs and as much as a 30 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

"At ServiceMaster, our commitment to the environment extends not just to our products and how we apply them, but also to our fleet," said Mary Kay Runyan, vice president of fleet operations for ServiceMaster. "These new hybrid trucks help us preserve the serenity of our environment while at the same time meeting our own objectives of reducing fuel usage and emissions."

ServiceMaster spokesperson Chris Curran said the company does not have plans to launch a hybrid vehicle for Terminix. Right now, the hybrid rollout is limited to California, as ServiceMaster and TruGreen received support for this initiative from California's Hybrid Vehicle Incentive Program, which provides funds for environmentally friendly transportation solutions to companies operating fleets in the state.

A hybrid vehicle combines a conventional internal combustion engine propulsion system with an electric propulsion system. The presence of the electric power train is intended to achieve better fuel economy than a conventional vehicle or better performance.
 

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New Pest Control Marketing Site Launched

ST. LOUIS, MO. — Pest control companies can now access marketing information developed exclusively for the pest control industry by Compelling Communications in one site. The site, www.howtomarketpestcontrol.com contains marketing ideas, examples, articles and solutions for pest companies looking to grow the business.

"Instead of a company searching numerous sites for pest control marketing information, we plan for this site to be a repository where pest control companies can visit for new ideas in marketing," said June Van Klaveren, owner. "Plans are in the making to add more original articles and examples frequently."

Van Klaveren has helped pest control companies market their services for the past 14 years and is owner of the LinkedIn group, "Marketing Pest Control Services." She can be reached at june@compelcom.com, www.facebook.com/compellingcommunications, www.linkedin.com/in/Compelling or by calling 800/779-0067.
 

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J.T. Eaton Offers Inspection and Service Downloads

TWINSBURG, Ohio — J.T. Eaton & Co. unveiled three new customizable documents for PMPs to download and use with customers to assist with property inspections, rodent infestations and site inspections.

The forms can be used as is, with PMPs printing them. Alternatively, companies can customize the forms with their own colors or by adding their logo.

"We felt this was a great way to make it easier for PMPs, especially smaller firms, to look very professional in the forms they give customers," says Dale Baker, vice president. "It's available at no cost to professionals, so we hope to see the forms get a lot of use in the industry."

The forms are available for download online at www.JTEaton.com/professional_pco-forms.php.
 

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In Memoriam: Chester (Chet) Robinette

ST. LOUIS, MO. — The pest control industry mourns the loss of Chester (Chet) Robinette, 89, who died on June 14, in the St. Louis area. Robinette along with his wife, Genevieve, co-owned and operated Master Pest and Termite Control for 40 years. Prior to owning Master Pest and Termite Control, Robinette worked 11 years for Getz Exterminators. Robinette was also a past president of Pi Chi Omega.

"Chet worked hard and long for the industry," Genevieve Robinette told PCT.

In addition to his service to the pest control industry, Robinette served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He was the youngest of nine children and the only to go to college and receive a master's degree from Purdue University.