[February News]

ServiceMaster, Terminix shake up executive team

DOWNERS GROVE, ILL. — The ServiceMaster Company announced in January that Terminix International President and Chief Operating Officer Albert Cantu has been named group business president of ServiceMaster with responsibility for American Residential Services, ServiceMaster Clean, Merry Maids and Furniture Medic.

Katrina Helmkamp has joined the company as president of Terminix International. She was formerly vice president and director of The Boston Consulting Group.

Thomas Brackett, division vice president of Terminix, has been promoted to chief operating officer of Terminix.

"We continue to strengthen our management team by bringing in talented executives and moving our experienced leaders into positions where they have the best opportunity to accelerate our growth and to transform the customer’s experience," said Jonathan Ward, chairman and chief executive officer of ServiceMaster. "These new combinations of leaders with complementary skills increase our ability to maintain our current momentum and build new sales going forward."

The company also announced that the TruGreen Companies — TruGreen ChemLawn and TruGreen LandCare — will now report to Ernie Mrozek, president and chief financial officer of Service-Master. American Mechanical Services will continue to report to Mrozek.

"Our TruGreen companies will benefit from Ernie’s seasoned leadership as we work to align our lawn care and land care teams to better serve our customers," concluded Ward. "We look forward to improved coordination and efficiencies between the two sides of the business yielding improved operational performance and results."

Ernie Mrozek, Albert Cantu, Katrina Helmkamp and Scott Cromie, president of American Home Shield, report directly to Jonathan Ward.

Top industry professionals gather at Purdue Conference

WEST LAFAYETTE, IND. — Hundreds of attendees traveled to Purdue University in January to hear from top industry educators, to learn about the latest product innovations and to network with one another.

The 69th Purdue Pest Management Conference kicked off with a speaker lineup that covered a diverse collection of progressive pest management topics.

Eric Ham, Midwest regional manager of Forshaw Distributors, began the conference by reviewing new and innovative product introductions. In his two presentations, Ham advised attendees not to fall in love with all new product introductions, urging them to consult with other PCOs, read product reviews in trade magazines and consult with their distributor and/or manufacturer representatives prior to making a purchase.

"There are good products out there but they may not be a good fit for your business," Ham said. "You have to ask yourself, ‘Can this new product be profitable for my business?’"

In addition to industry staples such as ant, roach and termite control, Ham says he’s observed fly control growing in popularity among PCOs. He also urged attendees to expand their service offerings to take advantage of business opportunities that have resulted from recent public health threats (e.g., West Nile virus, mold, etc.).

Purdue dedicated this year’s conference to Charles and James Haggerty of American Pest Control, Peoria, Ill., long-time attendees (43 years each) of the conference and supporters of the pest management industry.

Austin Frishman, a favorite speaker at Purdue, gave a presentation titled "IPM — Where We’ve Been and Where We’re Headed." Frishman reviewed how the pest control industry has evolved from the days of chlordane and DDT, to modern pest control in which pest management professionals must practice their craft in what Frishman calls the "age of environmental awareness and concern." Frishman says it’s important to look back at these old issues as a reminder to not get too comfortable with certain products. Also, he said, PCOs should be willing to try new products and application techniques.

"There was a time when industry was concerned that chlordane was so good that it would put us all out of business," Frishman recalls. "That’s an example that ‘no matter how good a product looks today, it won’t look so good in the future.’"

Sessions also included a focus on IPM in schools. Representatives from many of those involved in this line of work were represented. Jon Hockenyos of Sentinel Pest Control; Sue Kamuda, a school administrator; attorney Jim Betts; and Purdue researcher Al Fournier all gave their unique perspective on this topic.

Pi Chi Omega, the pest control industry’s national fraternity, announced it awarded scholarships to James Austin (University of Arkansas); Laura Krueger (Yale University); Eric Paysen (Clemson University); and Joseph Smith (University of Florida). Pi Chi Omega Executive President Vern Toblan said the fraternity is seeking to find all past scholarship winners. If you are a past winner or know the whereabouts of other past winners, contact Toblan at Toblan@msn.com or 610/932-4856.

Another highlight of the Purdue Pest Management Conference was the exhibit floor, where leading suppliers gave attendees a glimpse at many new and innovative products.

Event sponsors of this year’s Purdue conference included BASF Professional Pest Control, Bayer Environmental Science, Ensystex, FMC Corp., the Indiana Pest Management Association, PCT magazine, Pest Control magazine, Syngenta Professional Products, Univar and Zoecon Professional Products.

Washington, D.C. — The Environmental Protection Agency in late December denied Dow AgroSciences’ request for an extension on the use of chlorpyrifos (Dursban) for pre-construction termite treatments. In response, Dow AgroSciences made some announcements about the product and what EPA’s decision means to the market.

Mark Neterer, national account manager, Dow AgroSciences, provided the following information to the industry:

• The sale and use of preconstruction chlorpyrifos products (Dursban TC) currently in the channels of distribution (in inventory at the distributor or the pest management professional) will continue to be allowed throughout 2005. Additionally, a limited amount of Dursban TC that was produced and packaged in late 2004 remains in Dow AgroSciences’ inventory and is available for sale.

• In 2000, with the re-registration of chlorpyrifos under the Food Quality Protection Act, EPA decided that other residential uses of the product would be phased out, but allowed preconstruction use to continue for four years due to the limited potential for human exposure. This use was to begin phasing out at the end of 2004. However, at the time of the 2000 agreement, EPA noted that it might extend preconstruction use if registrants provided data showing that exposures from these applications fell within an acceptable range.

• Data supporting preconstruction termite use was submitted by Dow AgroSciences and other registrants late last year (2004), and the companies also requested an extension for the Dursban registration for use until 2007 while companies collect air monitoring data to demonstrate that exposures fall below the Agency’s levels of regulatory concern.

• In a Dec. 27 letter, EPA rejected the request. As a result, manufacture of U.S. preconstruction use chlorpyrifos was halted at the end of 2004. Dursban TC with the preconstruction use on its label that is currently in the U.S. chain of distribution will still be available for sale and use in 2005.

• Dow AgroSciences has a limited amount of Dursban TC in inventory that was produced in late 2004, which is available for sale. The inventory that Dow AgroSciences has, as well as any inventory that exists with distributors, can be sold to pest management professionals in 2005. The inventory that pest management professionals have on hand and any that is purchased in 2005 can be used until Dec. 31, 2005.

• Dow AgroSciences will not manufacture any additional Dursban TC in 2005 unless EPA ultimately authorizes an extension of the registration, which was cancelled effective Dec. 31, 2004.

RESEARCH TRIANGLE PARK, N.C. — The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency approved a label amendment for BASF Professional Pest Control’s Phantom insecticide, when used for general pest control (cockroaches and nuisance ant species). The amended Phantom label allows for the use of Phantom in food/feed product areas of food/feed handling establishments, where food and food products are held, processed, prepared and/or served. This new use is added to the existing use of the insecticide for general pest control in non-food handling areas of structures.

Phantom can now be applied as a spot or crack and crevice treatment inside houses, apartments or other residential structures; meat-, poultry- and egg-processing and packaging plants; and the food/feed and non-food/feed handling areas of commercial, institutional and warehousing establishments, such as schools, groceries and supermarkets, restaurants and cafeterias, hotels and motels, hospitals and nursing homes, warehouses and industrial buildings, laboratories, zoos, pet shops, computer facilities, and sewers.

In addition to the food-handling amendment, EPA also granted an amended Phantom label for application to pest entry points on the exterior surfaces of structures. Pest management professionals may begin using the amended label as soon as Phantom labeling that reflects this amended use is registered in each of the states.

Norcross, GA. — In January, the Georgia Pest Control Association presented a check to the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for more than $8,000 raised at several golf tournaments held late last year. A live auction held at the same events helped raise the money for charity.

In 2003, the GPCA board of directors selected the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society as its state-wide charity. This year, however, several Georgia pest control companies individually chose to support this same charity through its Light the Night campaign and in just more than six weeks, raised more than $25,000 on behalf of the pest control industry in Georgia.

Employees from participating GPCA member companies participated in the Light the Night walks, which concluded the campaign. The evening walks took place in five communities throughout Georgia to celebrate and commemorate people whose lives have been touched by cancer.

"I have never been involved in any sponsorship situation that brought so many compliments and so many well wishes from our community," said Allgood Pest Solutions’ President Mike Tindol. "The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and the Augusta Light the Night Walk was a wonderful experience for our company."

Participating GPCA member companies Athens Exterminating, Southeastern Exterminating, Allgood Pest Solutions and Advanced Services received awards for "Top Small Corporate Fundraising Team."

Plans are underway for next year’s walk when the GPCA hopes to reach a goal of $100,000 this year.

MONTVALE, N.J. — Bayer Environmental Science has announced the launch of Total Lasting Control (TLC), an initiative to help pest management professionals drive sales and build profits.

According to Bayer, TLC emphasizes the value the company brings to pest management professionals in six areas: seasonal promotions on a broad range of products; new product development; customized sales aids to help pest management professionals sell their services; access to technical support from Bayer’s industry experts; a comprehensive training library including videos and DVDs, online training programs, and in-person training sessions; and 100 percent guaranteed satisfaction.

"TLC will help PMPs utilize all the different tools and services Bayer ES offers to meet their pest management needs," says Gordon Morrison, Maxforce market manager for Bayer Environmental Science. "In addition to our broad range of innovative products, TLC provides PMPs with technical expertise, money-saving promotions and selling solutions to help them grow their businesses."

The first of the Total Lasting Control promotions runs through April 15. To qualify for a cash rebate of up to 16 percent, pest management professionals need to purchase products from Bayer ES in both the residual and bait categories. In addition, participating pest management professionals will be entered into a drawing for a weekend trip for two to New York City. For more information about the Total Lasting Control Spring Promotion, visit www.pctonline.com and click on "Current Issue Online Extras."

"When PMPs purchase a wide variety of Bayer ES products during the TLC spring promotion, they will receive a significant cash rebate," said Marketing Manager Shawn Mullen. "We want PMPs to take advantage of our entire portfolio of pest control products and, in turn, save money and increase profits."

For details regarding TLC and the spring promotion, or to obtain rebate forms, contact your local Bayer representative or authorized distributor, call 800/331-2867 or visit BayerProCentral.com/TLC.

Kansas City, MO. — A move to a new city and new and improved manufacturing facilities marked the last six weeks of 2004 for Rockwell Labs Ltd, according to Dr. Cisse Spragins, CEO and founder of the company.

The pesticide manufacturer is now located in the Kansas City metropolitan area at 1512 Taney St., North Kansas City, MO 64116. Rockwell relocated in mid-November from its Minneapolis headquarters facility.

"We made the move to be closer to our customer base and improve our logistics," says Spragins, "and to double the size of our original facility." The company’s new 20,000-square-foot building houses its laboratory and office facilities, as well as its newly expanded manufacturing facility.

Rockwell manufactures and packages various IPM insect control products, including granular baits, gels, pastes, liquids and stations.

Spragins says the new facilities enabled Rockwell to upgrade the company’s granular manufacturing and packaging equipment to increase efficiency and volume output.

Rockwell Labs’ phone number continues to be 866/788-4101. Visit the company online at www.rockwelllabs.com.

BREAKING NEWS: Slott, Karnes prevented from joining Sunair

FORT LAUDERDALE, FLA. — In January, PCT reported on Sunair Electronics’ plans to create a Pest Control Services Division, a decision that likely would have prompted a fresh round of acquisitions activity in the pest control industry. The team responsible for leading the acquisitions effort included John Hayes, Don Karnes and Dave Slott, three former TruGreen executives with an impressive track record of success at ServiceMaster, the parent company of both TruGreen and Terminix.

Sunair’s ambitious plans encountered a roadblock, however, when a court in Tennessee recently issued a temporary injunction preventing Karnes and Slott from joining the company as president and chief operating officer, respectively, pending a trial on the merits of a case brought against them by Terminix. A similar motion against Hayes was denied by the court since he had not signed a non-compete agreement.

Despite the setback, Sunair Electronics and the investment group funding the acquisitions effort reaffirmed their commitment to move ahead. Michael Herman, chairman of Sunair, said, "...we look forward to working with our operating and investment partners."

When contacted by PCT, a Terminix representative said the company does not comment on matters in litigation.