Univar Relaunches PestWeb with New Features and Design
Published September 05, 2017
Univar Environmental Sciences recently launched an updated version of PestWeb.
AUSTIN, Texas — After nearly one year of research and development, Univar Environmental Sciences (Univar ES) has launched an updated version of PestWeb. Completely redesigned and reworked, the new PestWeb site offers improved access to products, information, tools and resources for professionals in the pest management, wildlife management, public health and other related sectors, according to Univar. Several dozen changes have been made to support these professionals’ businesses at both the strategic and day-to-day levels.
Key updates include: completely reorganized site layout optimized for desktop, tablet and mobile use; the reintroduction and modernization of the product document center for viewing and downloading product label and SDS information; improved integration between the primary PestWeb site and the online version of ProTraining, including a publicly navigable technical course catalog; an updated user account area, including both a universal slider panel for sitewide access and a redesigned manager dashboard; streamlined navigation and sitewide discoverability of featured products, courses and promotions; and expanded top-level content and features.
“This is a completely new experience, built on months of research into how current users utilize the site, and what new users need to dive in and get to know PestWeb,” said Karl J. Kisner, vice president of marketing. “We’ve taken a website that has been indispensable to the industry for over 20 years, and pushed it even farther. Univar’s commitment to raising industry standards is what made PestWeb so popular in the first place, and it’s that same force that’s driving the site’s largest improvement yet.”
Kisner added that this 2017 PestWeb redesign is the first phase of a multi-stage update to the website.
The new website is currently live at www.PestWeb.com and is accessible both for public users and existing PestWeb members. For additional information, visitors can refer to the PestWeb launch guide, which details some of the most significant new and updated features of the website.
ServiceMaster Announces CEO Change
Varty
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — ServiceMaster announced Nikhil Varty as its new CEO in July. He replaces Rob Gillete, who had been in that role since June 2013.
In a press release, Mark Tomkins, chairman of the ServiceMaster Board of Directors, commented, “We are also pleased to announce the appointment of Nikhil Varty to the role of CEO during this important time for ServiceMaster. With more than three decades of deep operational expertise and strategic leadership experience, Nik is uniquely qualified to lead ServiceMaster into the next chapter of its growth story. He has direct experience developing and executing successful global business strategies, as well as achieving record returns on investments and delivering superior shareholder value on a sustainable basis. With a background in transforming companies through building the right organization, structure and talent, the Board firmly believes that Nik is the right leader to lead ServiceMaster as it looks to execute on the next stage of its growth strategy. The entire Board looks forward to working closely with Nik and continuing on our path to become the number one choice of customers for essential services through empowered people and convenient access.”
Varty is former president of the Americas and global vice president of mergers and acquisitions at WABCO, a global supplier of technologies and services that improve the safety, efficiency and connectivity of commercial vehicles.
“I am very excited to join ServiceMaster and am eager to begin working closely with the Board and management team to grow and enhance opportunities for our employees, customers and partners,” said Varty. “I am very supportive of the company’s decision to separate its businesses and believe that it is the right and necessary step at this point in time. My strategic focus will be to deliver superior results, identify levers for growth and develop the right talent, all while aiming to consistently beat expectations. I am committed to executing on the company’s strategic plan and am confident that our talented team will work together to capitalize on existing and future growth opportunities and enhance shareholder value.”
Lon Records (left), CEO of Agri-Turf Distributing, presents a check for $44,000 to the American Cancer Society. Also pictured are ACS representatives Kristen Thompson and Tad Heitmann, along with Rich Records, president of Agri-Turf.
Agri-Turf Golf Tournament Raises $44,000 for American Cancer Society
TUSTIN, Calif. — More than 120 golfers turned out for Agri-Turf’s 3rd Annual Malcolm Stack Charity Golf Tournament at Tustin Ranch Golf Club on July 20. The event raised more than $44,000 for the American Cancer Society (ACS).
After play, everyone came together at the clubhouse for dinner and a silent auction. Agri-Turf CEO Lon Records opened the evening festivities by thanking the sponsors for their support stating, “We are here to raise funds to support ACS, but also to remind everyone that early detection is the key to improving odds against this terrible disease. When someone is diagnosed with cancer, it is imperative to get a second opinion at a center of excellence.”
Kristen Thompson, executive director for the American Cancer Society — Southern California and Nevada markets, said of the event, “We are deeply indebted to Agri-Turf Distributing for three years of incredible leadership at this event. The funds raised support our key programs of cancer research, patient services and education.”
Records thanked the Agri-Turf team, suppliers, and the local business community for making this year’s event possible. Major sponsors included Bell Laboratories, Brandt, Calcium Products, Cool Planet, Ensystex, Grigg Brothers, Pest Control Supplies, the University of California Irvine and Zoëcon (Central Life Sciences).
Next year’s tournament is scheduled for Thursday, July 26, 2018.
PPMA/NPMA Partners with CDC for World Mosquito Day
FAIRFAX, Va. — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) teamed up with NPMA/PPMA for August’s World Mosquito Day, an event to raise public health awareness about mosquitoes.
CDC works with domestic and international partners to prevent mosquito-borne infections, respond to outbreaks and address public health problems related to infections.
PMPs participated by joining the World Mosquito Day Thunderclap campaign, which helped amplify social media messages by connecting partners and friends to share the same message at the same time through Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr. PPMA also provided PMPs with sample World Mosquito Day messages and links that could be shared on social media outlets.
Cindy Mannes, executive director of the Professional Pest Management Alliance, said the pest control industry did a “fantastic job” on short notice spreading the word via social media. NPMA/PPMA posted four times about World Mosquito Day on the PestWorld Facebook page and tweeted nine times from @PestWorld on Twitter. These social media efforts garnered more than 13,000 impressions, 293 engagements and 659 video views.
READING, Pa. — Rentokil Steritech announced in August the acquisition of Fischer Environmental Services, based in Mandeville, La., and servicing the greater New Orleans area. This move provides immediate scale for Rentokil Steritech’s service footprint in the region and further solidifies the brand’s reputation for quality termite and pest control expertise, the company said. Terms of the deal were not disclosed. The acquisition adds all of the Fischer colleagues to the local Rentokil Steritech team.
Founded in 1984 by Bob Kunst, member of the Louisiana State Pest Control Board, Fischer Environmental Services has a long-standing presence in the region. This acquisition furthers Rentokil Steritech’s footprint in Louisiana — an area with a warm weather environment and heavy pest pressures. Current Fischer management, including Kunst, will stay on to run the operations.
“We are excited to expand Rentokil Steritech’s reach in the New Orleans region by combining with Fischer Environmental Services, Inc.,” said John Myers, president and CEO, Rentokil Steritech. “Bob Kunst and his team mirror the same company values and work ethic plus a commitment to the customer experience that we take pride in at Rentokil Steritech.”
“We are proud to be joining the well-established Rentokil Steritech brand and we look forward to working together with the new team to best serve existing and new customers throughout southeastern Louisiana and Gulf Coast Mississippi,” said Bob Kunst, president, Fischer Environmental Services, Inc.
PCO M&A Specialists (a division of PCO Bookkeepers) acted as exclusive financial advisor to Fischer Environmental Services.
QualityPro Board Announces New Strategic Plan
FAIRFAX, Va. — The QualityPro board of directors announced the completion of a new strategic plan focused on a clear vision, mission and set of concise goals that is intended to drive growth in its industry’s certification program for the foreseeable future.
“We are extremely proud of the hard work, time commitment and dedication to our industry that the QualityPro Board has demonstrated over the past six months. We have studied our program and the needs of the industry in an effort to create a comprehensive program that teaches companies to be professional and helps consumers recognize all that our industry has to offer,” said QualityPro Chairman Kevin Burns, Arrow Exterminators, Atlanta. “This is evident in our new mission and vision and reinforced through our goals for the coming years.”
“This process, which started in Denver in March 2017, has been an exercise in effectiveness,” said David Fisher of Rentokil Steritech and QualityPro vice chairman. “We retained Georgia Patrick, a national certification consultant, who helped us understand the potential opportunities for QualityPro and assisted us in charting a path forward that will elevate our program, the only certification specific to pest management providers in our industry.”
In addition to solidifying the goals and next steps, the QualityPro Board also discussed a number of new initiatives that will be rolled out in the coming months. “In looking at the work done by NPMA, our group identified the immediate need for a Public Health Certification,” said Jen McCauley of McCauley Services in Benton, Ark., and QualityPro secretary. “We anticipate launching this program within the next 12 months as a way for companies to demonstrate verified knowledge and expertise to address public health pests.”
“It has been exciting to represent NPMA on the QualityPro Board and identify ways that QualityPro accreditation can meet some of the industry needs that were identified through the NPMA Strategic Planning Process — P3. Our two organizations have never been more in sync,” said Dominique Stumpf, CEO of NPMA.
Elaborating further, Allie Allen, QualityPro’s executive director, stated, “I applaud the QualityPro Board for taking full ownership of this program and ensuring it will realize its potential. The members of the past QualityPro Boards, under the leadership of [NPMA Chief Industry Relations Officer] Andrew Architect, gave us the strong foundation we have today. I am excited to build upon it. I look forward to the day when every person both within and outside of our industry looks to QualityPro standards to define professionalism in pest management.”
The new QualityPro Mission, Vision and Goal Areas are as follows:
VISION
“QualityPro is the only recognized and accepted credentialing authority of the pro-fessional pest management industry.”
MISSION
“QualityPro sets the standards of excellence for professional pest management companies and their employees through education, training and certification, providing consumers protection and confidence when selecting a nationally accredited company.”
GOAL AREAS
#1 Standards of Excellence
“QualityPro accredits and certifies pest management companies and professionals using a set of comprehensive standards significantly superior to national and state/provincial regulations.”
#2 Education & Training
“An increasing number of pest management companies and professionals are becoming QualityPro Accredited and Certified by completing approved education and training programs designed to enhance the overall customer experience.”
#3 QualityPro Branding
“QualityPro will grow its brand awareness.”
For more information about QualityPro, visit the QualityPro website: www.npmaqualitypro.org.
Skyline Pest Solutions Acquires Evergreen Termite & Pest Control
ATLANTA — Skyline Pest Solutions announced in July that it has acquired Conyers-based Evergreen Termite & Pest Control.
Evergreen Termite and Pest Control will join Skyline’s Buford, McDonough and Social Circle, Ga., branch offices. The acquisition will expand Skyline’s presence in Rockdale County and the surrounding areas and increase revenues in the Social Circle branch.
“We’re proud to welcome Evergreen Termite and Pest to our growing team,” said David Joles, regional vice president of Skyline Pest Solutions. “We are excited to work with their customers and look forward to providing the same level of high-quality service they have come to expect.”
Skyline Pest Solutions is operated by Environmental Pest Service (EPS).
