Syngenta Presents: PCO field reports from across the United States

Action Pest Control

Evansville, Ind.

Kevin Pass, president of Action Pest Control, says business has remained strong in his market area despite the sobering economic news nationally in many parts of the country. "The southern Indiana and western Kentucky areas never slowed down during the ‘recession’ for our primary pest and termite business," he observes. "However, our large dollar bird jobs that normally fall under capital budgets were slow the past two years, but have since picked back up." Pass is projecting 14% growth in 2004, hoping a new "individual marketing" initiative for his sales team pays off handsomely for the company. "Each salesperson is required to send 20 letters per month to specific commercial accounts and then follow up with a phone call to try and schedule an appointment," he says. "The letters are generated by the sales manager and designed to be thought provoking to the target so that their interest will be piqued enough to allow us to get a foot in the door."

Fischer Environmental Services

Mandeville, La.

Bob Kunst, owner of Fischer Environmental Services, says economic conditions along the Gulf Coast remain challenging, but he’s anticipating a strong termite season nonetheless. "We are currently experiencing above the national average in unemployment and have seen notification of several large industry closings," he said. "However, Operation Full Stop will kick off another phase of termite treatment in the French Quarter, which should put an additional $600,000 to $1 million into local termite sales for the New Orleans market only." Additional market opportunities in and around the "Big Easy" include ants and mosquitoes, according to Kunst, a former NPMA president. "Ants and mosquitoes seem to be generating the most interest. Ants because we are receiving a lot of calls for them and mosquitoes because many pest management professionals are trying to decide if they want to go into that area of business."

Plunkett’s Pest Control

Fridley, Minn.

Stacy O’Reilly, president of Plunkett’s Pest Control, reports that 2003 produced "slow but steady" growth for the company, a trend that is likely to continue in 2004 since it’s an election year. "I expect the Federal Reserve to try to maintain a politically neutral economy," meaning O’Reilly doesn’t anticipate great fluctuations in interest rates or other economic factors that could stress small businesses. One potential growth area, however, is the organic food market. "Organic food processing is becoming more common," she says. "Pest control companies that can solve pest problems and lead the customer through the complex regulations will be a big asset to organic companies."