[PCT On The Road] DuPont ProBusiness Exchange Features PMPs, Industry Researchers

More than 100 PMPs from throughout the United States traveled to Florida in early March to attend the DuPont ProBusiness Exchange Symposium spotlighting the company’s newest product – Arilon insecticide. In welcoming attendees to the three-day event, Mike McDermott, global business leader, DuPont Professional Products, said the symposium gives PMPs the opportunity to interact with their colleagues, as well as learn about the latest research from DuPont scientists and leading university researchers.

Since entering the pest control market in 2002, McDermott said DuPont has become a technology leader, introducing two new classes of chemistry with unique modes of action and 12 different specialty products that are not only "highly efficacious" but "gentle on the environment."

"We’re proud to be one of the first companies to have publicly established environmental goals 20 years ago," he said. "Our hope is that you are benefitting from that commitment, whether it’s your ability to compete successfully for sensitive accounts such as schools and food-handling facilities, or the ease of use from our biodegradable, compostable and premeasured DuPont Terrene packs."

DuPont’s growing commitment to the pest control industry is not only apparent in its expanding product line, but also in its ongoing investment in people. "Our first four years we spent more on R&D than sales and marketing," McDermott observed, but in recent years the company has strengthened its sales and marketing operations and customer support. "By the end of this year," he said, "we’ll have 42 people dedicated" to the specialty business.

"I think you can see the investment DuPont has made in this business," an investment based on producing "best-in-class" insecticides with "low environmental impact," according to McDermott. "We’re trying to meet the needs of the present without jeopardizing the future," he said, as evidenced by the recent introduction of Arilon insecticide.

Arilon contains indoxacarb, a unique class of chemistry that is effective against a broad range of insects, while offering a favorable environmental profile, according to Dr. Clay Scherer, development manager – professional pest management. The non-repellent insecticide features MetaActive, a unique mode of action trademarked by DuPont that allows the active ingredient to effectively differentiate between target insect pests – like ants, cockroaches and silverfish – and non-target organisms, like mammals. When in-sects consume or absorb indoxacarb, the insecticide becomes biologically active, utilizing the insect’s own natural enzymes to kill the pest. "We (mammals) tend not to turn the compound on," according to Scherer.

In addition to its unique mode of action, Arilon comes in a state-of-the-art formulation, a water-dispersible granule (WDG) designed specifically for the pest management industry. A dry concentrate that is diluted with water and then sprayed, this new formulation is easy to use and convenient to store, according to Scherer. In addition to being non-staining, the low-odor formulation has been tested and proven effective on a variety of surfaces including, concrete, stainless steel, weathered wood, painted surfaces, ceramic tile, brick and vinyl siding.

UNIVERSITY INSIGHTS. As in the past, this year’s symposium featured presentations by DuPont’s technical staff, as well as field evaluations by several industry researchers including Dr. Phil Koehler, University of Florida; Dr. Dan Suiter, University of Georgia; and Tim McCoy, Virginia Tech University. Koehler, one of the most highly regarded researchers in the country, said "nobody likes change," but change is coming, as evidenced by the growing emphasis on so-called "green" technology, a trend that is likely to continue as the industry comes under increased regulatory scrutiny.

Dr. Dan Suiter reviewed several studies performed by his lab, including work with Arilon targeting Argentine ants. "Argentine ants are the bane of the Southeast," he said, frequently taking up residence in mulch and leaf litter around homes. "The size of Argentine ant populations (in these areas) are just enormous," he said. "It really complicates control."

And when temperatures drop in the fall and winter, populations can move indoors, causing a "major headache" for homeowners. Therefore, he suggests, "Do what you can to head off these extreme September and October populations" when they "start looking for places to overwinter." Suiter said Arilon performed well in these challenging environments at the highest label rate.

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Meet NASCAR’s
Jeff Gordon

PMPs attending the recent DuPont ProBusiness Exchange Symposium experienced first-hand what it’s like to get behind the wheel of Jeff Gordon’s #24 Chevy Impala. Fortunately, no one was injured since they did so in a state-of-the-art "simulator" designed to replicate the NASCAR experience.

"The simulator is featured at various DuPont events throughout the year as part of our sponsorship agreement with Jeff Gordon and NASCAR," said Brenda Franke, global marketing manager, DuPont Professional Products, Wilmington, Del. "The simulator is in great demand so we were pleased to have it for our ProBusiness Exchange event."

While the simulator is currently en route to another DuPont event, PMPs still have a chance to experience the checkered flag. Thanks to a recently announced sweepstakes, two lucky PMPs have a chance to win a DuPont NASCAR Experience, which includes air travel for two and tickets to the Kansas City Speedway, Oct. 1-3. In addition, the winners will have an opportunity to meet legendary race car driver Jeff Gordon – a four-time NASCAR champion – as well as have access to the DuPont Hospitality Tent for food and entertainment.

Franke says there are two ways for PMPs to win. Now through July 31, official entry forms will be available from DuPont sales representatives throughout the United States. The contest is open to all U.S. companies, partnerships, joint ventures and other legal entities that apply DuPont Arilon insecticide in the U.S. All entries must be received by Aug. 15. No purchase is necessary.

"PMPs also can increase their chances of winning by taking the Arilon sales challenge," Franke said. "If you’re one of the top five purchasers of DuPont Arilon insecticide, you’ll earn an automatic trip to the DuPont NASCAR experience."

To receive an entry form or learn more about the DuPont NASCAR Experience sweepstakes, contact your local DuPont sales representative.

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FROM THE FIELD. Day three of the symposium was kicked off by Dr. Raj Saran, principal investigator, DuPont Professional Products, who reviewed Arilon’s novel mode of action. In addition, PMPs from across the country had an opportunity to share their field experiences with Arilon in a unique forum that has become a hallmark of the ProBusiness Exchange event.

PMP presenters included Judy Black, technical director of The Steritech Group; Jason Everitt, technical director, Rottler Pest & Lawn Solutions; Dr. Ronald Harrison, director of technical services, Orkin Pest Control; Tommy Powell, general manager, HomeTeam Pest Defense; David Markowski, owner, Homestead Pest Control; Dr. Joel Perez-Mendoza, former technical and training director, Schendel Pest Services; Jeff Preece, technical director, ZipZap Termite & Pest Control; and George Williams, general manager, Environmental Health Services.

Williams said his company had success controlling several species of ants with Arilon, noting management liked its "excellent environmental profile," green packaging and flexible treatment options, while technicians liked the fact the product was easy to mix and didn’t stain surfaces.

Judy Black, technical director of The Steritech Group, also liked the environmental profile of Arilon in limited testing with the product, particularly given the company’s eco-sensitive positioning. "While pesticide applications are part of what we do … we do try to select products that will have the lowest impact possible," she said.

Director of Technical Service Ron Harrison said Orkin also had success with the product in a number of test accounts, lauding the formulation’s mixing capabilities, although he was less enamored with its dose packaging. "We certainly aren’t totally opposed to pouches," he said, but dose packaging can pose a challenge if a PMP is using a 50-gallon sprayer.

THE FUTURE. In a final presentation, Dr. Mark Coffelt, global development manager, provided an overview of the company’s product pipeline, which he described as promising. "We really do have a bright future," he said, although 10 years and $256 million in development costs to bring a new a.i. to market can be a bit daunting. But that hasn’t stopped the Delaware-based company from continuing to invest in R&D. "We’re still in this discovery and research phase," he said.

In closing the conference, McDermott said DuPont is "going to continue to launch new products and "live up to" its 200-year history of environmental stewardship, but ultimately he told attendees "you’re the ones who are going to determine if our products really fit."