[News]

FMC Corporation to Acquire Cheminova

PHILADELPHIA, Pa. — FMC Corporation announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Cheminova A/S, a wholly owned subsidiary of Auriga Industries A/S. Cheminova is a multi-national crop protection company based in Denmark. FMC will fund the all-cash acquisition through a mixture of debt and existing cash reserves. The transaction is expected to close in early 2015 and will be accretive to adjusted earnings in the first full year following the acquisition.

“We are very excited about the opportunity to combine Cheminova with our own Agricultural Solutions business,” said Pierre Brondeau, FMC Corporation president, CEO and chairman. “Cheminova is a company that we have long considered to be an attractive potential partner. It follows a similar strategic approach to FMC in applying technology to deliver solutions to its customers, and has a highly complementary product portfolio and geographic footprint. This transaction will broaden our Agricultural Solutions portfolio and significantly strengthen our market access in key agricultural end markets.

“Cheminova’s direct market access in Europe, combined with its strong position in Latin America, will help bring greater balance to our business,” he continued. “Its technology will allow us to expand our position in existing crop segments and provide accelerated access to additional crops, such as cereals. It will also strengthen our offerings to existing customers, especially in sugarcane, soybeans and cotton.”

Brondeau added that Cheminova brings complementary technologies in insecticides and herbicides, significantly enhances FMC’s fungicide portfolio and adds a growing micronutrient business. “Cheminova has a portfolio of more than 60 active ingredients, over 2,300 registrations and a pipeline of active ingredients currently under development. It is the addition of this broad suite of technology that is particularly exciting to us, and we firmly expect to increase our pace of new product launches in the coming seasons as a direct result of adding Cheminova’s capabilities to ours,” he said.

FMC will modify its previously announced separation plans by pursuing a sale of Alkali Chemicals. Commenting on this decision, Brondeau said, “FMC is committed to its strong balance sheet and a sale of Alkali Chemicals will allow us to de-lever to a point that is appropriate for our business profile. Alkali Chemicals is a well-run, highly profitable and cash generative business, and we are confident it will attract many interested buyers. We expect to complete this sale by mid-2015.”

FMC Lithium will be retained as a separate operating segment. — Brad Harbison

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Deal Will Give FMC’s Non-Crop Segment a Boost, FMC’s Todd Says

While FMC’s interests in Cheminova’s global ag market assets were the driver behind FMC’s expected acquisition of Cheminova, FMC’s non-crop segments will benefit as well, according to Bethwyn Todd, global business director, FMC Professional Solutions, BioSolutions & Seed Treatment.

Cheminova’s involvement in structural pest control is limited to the manufacturing of Fyfanon ULV-AG Insecticide (active ingredient malathion). The addition of this product line provides FMC with an immediate benefit, but the Cheminova acquisition also could provide long-term benefits, Todd told PCT.

“What Cheminova has is a large number of active ingredients, really strong formulation capabilities and regulatory expertise — those are things that really complement what FMC has today,” Todd said. “That gives us a lot of confidence. We feel like we are going to be able to significantly strengthen our presence and our portfolio in the non-crop segment — in structural pest control, in turf and ornamental and also in our home and garden business.”

Todd added that FMC is excited about the prospects of launching products with Cheminova’s AIs using FMC’s innovative marketing approach, which is based on accelerating the pace of bringing new products to market. “I’m confident we’ll be able to leverage the Cheminova AIs and bring good products to market for structural pest control,” she said.

Todd added that many details about the acquisition will be sorted out after it closes (expected in early 2015). — Brad Harbison

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Agri-Turf Distributing Names Lon Records CEO

Santa Fe Springs, Calif. — Agri-Turf Distributing announced Lon Records as its chief executive officer in September. Records’ announcement comes just days after the one-year anniversary of Agri-Turf’s establishment.

“It is a great pleasure to announce Lon’s return to the industry as the chief executive officer for Agri-Turf Distributing LLC,” said Agri-Turf President Rich Records. “In addition to reporting to the board, he will focus on market development, supplier relations and the long-term growth of the company. I know that I speak for all associates when I say he is a welcome addition to our team.”

Records is a familiar face in the pest management industry with a career that dates back to the early 1970s. He began his career as a sales representative for Chevron (Ortho) in the late ’60s. In 1972, he joined Target Specialty Products as a sales representative in Gardena, Calif. Within a few years he was promoted to sales manager, then branch manager and later became president in 1982, a position he held until 2012. During his tenure, the company expanded beyond pest control distribution into all of the specialty markets, including turf and ornamental, golf, nursery, vegetation management, aquatic and vector. The company grew from three branch offices to 13, employing more than 150 people in six western states. He also held leadership positions within the Western Plant Health Association (WPHA) and the United Producers, Formulators & Distributors Association (UPFDA).

“I appreciate the trust placed in me to help develop Agri-Turf and expand its presence in the market,” said Records. “It takes a strong team to build a business and develop a brand. We have a team with deep roots in this industry, exceptional intellectual capital and institutional memory.”

Agri-Turf Distributing is a privately held, American-owned company based in Santa Fe Springs, Calif. Established in 2013, the company serves licensed applicators in California in the professional pest management, turf and ornamental, vegetation management, golf, vector and aquatic weed industries.

Stoy Hedges Establishes Consulting Firm

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Stoy Hedges, former senior technical professional and entomologist at Terminix International, has started his own pest management consulting firm.

Stoy Pest Consulting opened its doors in August 2014. And it’s Hedges’ hope PMPs won’t forget the name of his new company. “My first name is very unique and is easily recognizable within the industry,” Hedges told PCT. “Also, I wanted to keep the name shorter so I opted to stick with Stoy Pest Consulting LLC rather than Stoy Hedges Pest Consulting LLC.”

After 25 years at Terminix, Hedges said it was time for a change in his career. “I wanted to be able to work fewer hours/days per year and private consulting enables me to do so,” he said. “In my business, I want to focus on what I do best, which is to teach and inform regarding pests and their management. I want to work with manufacturers, industry, universities and regulators to help improve the knowledge and skills of the front-line pest professionals who solve pest issues for their customers.”

Although there are other experienced consultants in the pest management industry, Hedges said the time was right to strike out on his own. “A few of our more well-known consultants are either retiring or nearing retirement, and I felt it was a good time to enter this phase of my career,” he said.

Hedges’ consulting business will differ from others in the industry because of its focus on training, he says. “My focus will be on training, education and development of training materials,” Hedges added. “I am not planning to do commercial field audits or legal work in the near future, but I am open to discussing any offers for use of my services.”

Hedges has a bachelor of science degree in urban and industrial entomology from Purdue University and served as the editorial director for the last three editions of the Mallis Handbook of Pest Control. Hedges previously also served as director of technical services (pest control division) for Waste Management and for ChemLawn’s PestFree Division.

Contact Hedges via email at consult stoy@att.net.
 

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PCT Gift Shop Offers Insect-Themed Items for PCOs

VALLEY VIEW, Ohio — PCT magazine, in partnership with the Philadelphia-based Insectarium, is offering a variety of insect-related items to pest control operators via www.pctgiftshop.com.

The online shop features high-quality, insect-themed decorative clothing, cups/mugs, party supplies and more — items that can be used by PCOs as educational office tools, office decorations and promotional campaigns. The items have been collected through the years by Steve Kanya, owner of the Insectarium, one of the largest insect museums in the United States, and Steve’s Wildlife and Pest Control. “I’ve been a PCO for 38 years, and I can remember when I opened my office not having anything to put up on the walls, so my initial goal was to supply PCOs with products such as large metal ants and posters,” Kanya said. “It’s evolved to include just about anything from coasters and watches to laminated signs. My approach has been ‘If I was a PCO what would I want to have on display?’”

Kanya said popular items include posters, mugs, scorpion necklaces, Bugopoly, laminated posters of insect photos and large 3D depictions of ants. Visit the PCT Gift Shop and place orders at www.pctgiftshop.com.

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QualityPro Launches Fleet Management Toolbox

FAIRFAX, Va. — NPMA’s QualityPro launched the Fleet Management Toolbox, which includes resources such as vehicle inspection logs and projected operating-cost analyses for popular fleet vehicles. The toolbox provides an opportunity for companies to generate value beyond the basic purpose of carrying equipment, supplies and pest management technicians to customer sites, and the new Fleet Management Toolbox gives PMPs resources to maximize its effectiveness, NPMA says.

The toolbox is available to QualityPro member companies. For more information on QualityPro, visit www.npmaqualitypro.org or contact QualityPro Promotion and Program Development Manager Matt Coffindaffer, 571/224-0391.
 

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Ebola Outbreak Threatens Bird-B-Gone-Sponsored Orphanage in Africa

BANTA, Sierra Leone — As of August 2014, Ebola has claimed more than 1,200 lives in western Africa, and the outbreak is threatening a Bird-B-Gone-sponsored orphanage in Banta, Sierra Leone.

The World Health Organization has declared the present Ebola outbreak a world health emergency. Only one of Sierra Leone’s 14 districts is currently without a reported case of this dreaded disease. The two most severely affected districts — Kailahun and Kenema — were barricaded by the government to try and contain the epidemic.

Children of the Nations (COTN), a nonprofit organization providing Christ-centered care for orphaned and destitute children, operates the Bird-B-Gone-sponsored orphanage. COTN Founder Chris Clark said the volunteers at the orphanage are taking precautions and the following emergency preparations have been put into place:

• Setting up hand-washing stations on campus.
• Educating the children and staff on ways to prevent the spread of the disease.
• Closure of the small medical clinic on campus.
• Equipping vehicles so they are ready to travel to hospitals if needed.
• Making sure enough food and other resources are on campus.
• Setting up medical supplies which may be needed.

In addition, COTN has put a travel restriction in place to minimize any potential risk of exposure. For a period of time, the children in COTN’s Children’s Home will not be traveling to visit extended family in other villages, and all Venture Trips to Sierra Leone will be suspended.

Bruce Donoho, owner of Bird-B -Gone, would like to ask family and friends in the pest control industry to offer prayers and continued support for COTN efforts in Sierra Leone. Those who would like to give a gift to help prepare and protect the children from Ebola can do so through the Emergency Preparedness Fund at www.cotni.org/node/275542. The gifts will help ensure that the children and staff are equipped to provide necessary care should the virus reach their village.

“I would like to personally thank our friends in the pest control industry who continue to offer prayers and support COTN so generously. Every day, together, we are saving and making a difference in the lives of children,” Donoho said.
 

NPMA and CEPA Partner for Global Pest Summit

FAIRFAX, Va./BRUSSELS, Belgium — NPMA and the Confederation of European Pest Management Associations (CEPA) will partner for the first time to offer a global summit for pest management companies and their clients related to public health pest management and food safety issues.

The Global Summit of Pest Management Services for Public Health and Food Safety will be held June 3-5, 2015, at the Juan-les-Pins Conference Centre in Antibes Juan-les-Pins, on the French Riviera. Designed to be a biannual forum, alternating between Europe and the United States, the summit will look at pest management services in terms of the needs of the food, food service, retail, hospitality and other service business sectors.

“The trend toward increased globalization of the pest management industry is most pronounced in the food and other commercial sectors,” said NPMA CEO Bob Rosenberg. “We are proud of this historic partnership between the U.S. and European industry associations to provide the leadership to meet these challenges and grow the industry.”

“Our goal with this conference is to address issues that are on tomorrow’s agenda for the pest management industry and evaluate, together with clients, the legislator and other relevant stakeholders which action steps are required to prepare for and respond to our vision of the future,” said CEPA Chairman Bertrand Montmoreau. Details about the event are forthcoming.
 

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2014 New York Pest Expo Announced by Bug-Off

New York City — Bug-Off Pest Control’s 2014 New York Pest Expo is scheduled for Nov. 13 (8 a.m. to 6 p.m.) at The Armory in Manhattan. The event features presentations from leading industry professionals, exhibitors and networking opportunities.

Admission is $135 (by 11/8/14); late registration is $200. Breakfast and lunch are included.

Speakers include:

• Joe Barile, B.C.E., General Entomology for PMPs
• Dr. Bobby Corrigan, Rodent Management Updates
• Jeff McGovern, A Survey of Essential Equipment
• Dan Gordon, CPA, Mastering Your Business’ Key Performance Indicators
• Dr. Bill Robinson, Hit Them Where They Live — Pests and Their Harborages
• Dr. Nicola Gallagher, Termites — New Findings in Behavior and Control
• Lou Sorkin, BCE, What Got Stuck? — A Guide to Glueboard Captures

To register, visit http://bit.ly/1qOGGoS or call 212/781-2304.
 

Purdue Announces Dates, Speakers for 79th Annual Conference

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The 79th annual Purdue Pest Control Conference will be held Jan. 12-14, 2015, at Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., featuring the latest research findings and field observations from renowned industry speakers, as well as an exhibit hall with product innovations from industry suppliers.

Some speakers and topics include: Jay Bruesch, green programs; Stan Cope, IPM and management; Bobby Corrigan, rodents; Mark “Shep” Sheperdigian, termites; Gene White, new technology; and Laurel Hansen, ants. For registration information, contact Kathy Walters at 765/494-2758 or kw@purdue.edu. For CCH and program information, contact Holly Fletcher-Timmons at 765/494-5856 or htimmons@purdue.edu. For conference information and to register online visit www.conf.purdue.edu/pest2015.