[News]

In Memoriam: Roland Rhodes

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Roland Rhodes, founder of Rhodes Chemical Company and a leading pest control industry advocate, died on July 24. He was 88.

Born in 1927, Rhodes attended junior college for two years prior to enlisting in the U.S. Navy during WWII, where he was stationed at a Seattle-area Navy hospital caring for wounded sailors and Marines returning from the Pacific theater.

Upon returning from the service, Rhodes took advantage of the GI Bill and re-entered college in 1946. Rhodes enrolled at the University of Kansas and earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry in 1949. During college, Rhodes married his high school sweetheart, Winona; the couple was married for 68 years.

Rhodes then worked as a chemist for numerous companies including Stokley-Van Camp, FMC, Westbaco Chemical Division and Cook Chemicals. In 1962, Rhodes saw a need for a distributor in the Kansas City area and established Rhodes Chemical Company, which moved into its existing location in 1969. The distributor flourished not just by providing products, but by serving as an important education and training outlet for PCOs. Rhodes’ commitment to education extended beyond his customer base, spreading to universities across the Midwest where Rhodes Chemical operates. Roland and Winona supported scholarships for entomology students at Purdue University, University of Illinois, University of Missouri, Kansas State University, University of Nebraska and Iowa State University.

This desire to serve the greater good of the industry led Rhodes and other distributors to form the United Producers, Formulators & Distributors Association (UPFDA) in 1968. The association includes the industry’s leading product and equipment manufacturers, formulators and distributors working to bring a standard of excellence and enhanced professionalism to the structural pest control industry, as well as be an advocate for the industry with the regulatory community. In 2005, UPFDA presented Rhodes with the first-ever Malcolm Stack Integrity Award, which recognizes individuals in pest control who demonstrate a commitment to the industry and carry themselves with a high degree of professionalism and integrity. The award is named after Bell Laboratories Founder Malcolm Stack.

Rhodes also was an active member of industry associations and groups such as RISE, NPMA, Pi Chi Omega and the Entomological Society of America. He was involved in legislative/regulatory matters, and he made several trips to Washington, D.C., in the early 1970s to provide testimony to Senate committees during the early days of EPA. He also attended countless NPMA Legislative Day events throughout the years.

During the last 10 years, Rhodes scaled back his time in the office to enjoy more time with his family.

The family asks that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to the Roland and Winona Rhodes Family Scholarship — Purdue University; or the Robert J. Dole Institute, University of Kansas. Details for making donations can be found on www.pctonline.com by searching “Rhodes.”

Cards can be sent to: Winona Roland, c/o Rhodes Chemical Co, P.O. Box 3204, Kansas City, KS 66103-0204. — Brad Harbison

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Speakers, Sessions Announced for 2015 Mexico Conference

Santa Fe, Mexico — Expo Control de Plagas Mexico 2015, a three-day educational conference and trade show, is scheduled for Sept. 22-24 at Expo Bancomer in Santa Fe, Mexico.

Expo Control de Plagas aims to strengthen trade relations between suppliers, customers and all organizations in the pest management and vector control industries. This year’s program features more than 15 presentations from leading educators and industry practitioners addressing a wide array of technical topics, including a keynote address by Dr. Dini Miller, Virginia Tech University, titled “The State of Bed Bug Research: What Have We Learned?”

Additionally, Expo Control de Plagas will feature a 21,000-square-foot exhibit hall of leading industry vendors, who will be available to discuss their latest offerings.

Register for the conference at www.expocontroldeplagas.org.mx/index.php/registro. For hotel information visit www.expocontroldeplagas.org.mx/index.php/hoteles.

Educational sessions include:

• Structural Pest Management: Is it the Future of Pest Control?
• Managing German Cockroaches in Food-Processing Plants • The State of Bed Bug Research: What Have We Learned?
• Small Flies in Commercial Accounts
• Get Connected: How Technology is Transforming the Pest Control Industry
• Green Pest Management: Processes & Protocols
• Mystery Bugs: Delusions of Parasitosis
• Rodent Control
• Vector-Borne Diseases of Mexico
• Regulatory & Safety Issues in Food-Processing Plants
• IPM in Sensitive Accounts
• Insect Detection Methods: Ants, Cockroaches, Flies & Termites
• Technical Certification: What’s Available?
  
   

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Marathon Data Systems Changes Name to WorkWave and Acquires Foxtrax

NEPTUNE, N.J. — Marathon Data Systems, a provider of cloud-based field service management and fleet management solutions, acquired Foxtrax GPS, a cloud-based leader in fleet-tracking technology.

The company also is changing its name to WorkWave (www.workwave.com) to reflect its transformation into a solutions provider for businesses with significant mobile workforces as well as to reinforce the tight integration of its cloud-based platforms for marketing, office management and fleet management.

“The Foxtrax products, customer base and team round out WorkWave’s mobile-first portfolio,” said WorkWave CEO and President Chris Sullens. The company will integrate Foxtrax’s cloud-based solution with Viamente, its cloud-based route planning and optimization solution, and its proprietary smartphone apps.

The name change unifies the company’s messaging and product portfolio under the WorkWave brand reinforcing how its product offerings connect every aspect of customer’s businesses and provide insight into their office and field operations, Sullens said.

WorkWave offers an integrated suite of cloud-based business management and fleet management solutions for the field service and “last mile” delivery verticals, including:

• WorkWave Fleet (formerly Viamente), a comprehensive cloud-based route planning and optimization platform that leverages a proprietary optimization algorithm, an intuitive user interface and a set of APIs to provide “last mile” delivery companies with a solution for planning, tracking and analyzing their delivery routes.
• WorkWave GPS (formerly Foxtrax GPS), a cloud-based telematics platform that offers real-time vehicle tracking, comprehensive driver behavior alerting and tracking and satellite-based asset tracking for companies in the field service, “last mile” delivery and other fleet-based industries.
• WorkWave Marketing (formerly Marathon Marketing Services), a suite of website and lead-generation services for the pest control field, automotive and other industries, enabling companies of all sizes to cost-effectively enhance their brand and drive leads into their businesses by leveraging its in-house website design, search engine optimization (SEO), search engine marketing (SEM), social media and reputation management offerings.
   

WorkWave also offers solutions for the pest management industry, the general field service industry and the lawn and landscape industry through its PestPac, ServiceCEO and QXPress brands.

Kemp Anderson Leaves Scotts

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Kemp Anderson, who joined Scotts in 2013 as vice president of business development, has left the company.

Anderson was hired by Scotts to facilitate the company’s formal entry into the pest control market via acquisition of a large platform company, followed by a series of tuck-in acquisitions not in the footprint, the firm said. In January, the Scotts Miracle-Gro Company announced that its Scotts LawnService business had acquired the assets of Action Pest Control, Evansville, Ind., which has seven offices, 125 employees and annual revenues of $12.6 million.

But one month after the deal was finalized, on Feb. 4, Scotts Chairman and CEO Jim Hagedorn intimated on an earnings call the company was changing course with its pest control plans, and that it did not intend to make another significant pest control acquisition in 2015. During that call, Hagedorn said Scotts was weighing “the cost to build a deep presence in pest” vs. investing in other areas of the business.

A longtime M&A professional, Anderson came to Scotts after having served as director of acquisitions for Rollins, parent of Orkin, where he was responsible for expanding the company through merger and acquisition activity throughout North America and the Caribbean. Prior to that he worked for Middleton Lawn & Pest Control as business development and manager of legal affairs.

Anderson said he will continue working in the pest control industry. “It has been an honor to be an active part of it, and I plan on staying very involved in the industry. The industry has been great to both me and my family.” — Brad Harbison

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Sandwich Isle Pest Solutions Receives NPMA Gives Award

Fairfax, Va. — The National Pest Management Association announced at NPMA Academy in Las Vegas last month that Sandwich Isle Pest Solutions was the recipient of the 2015 NPMA Gives Award.

“Sandwich Isle Pest Solutions embodies everything that this program is about,” said NPMA President Russ Ives. “Whether it is hosting golf tournaments to provide scholarships to students in their local schools, sponsoring a monthly pet of the month for the local SPCA or donating a replacement generator to that same SPCA so that no important services would be interrupted, this company commits to its community in numerous ways and, as a result, has had a significant impact.”

NPMA launched the NPMA Gives program in 2014 to recognize members who have gone above and beyond in their community philanthropy. Each company that signs up for the program commits to contributing a minimum of one percent of its annual profit — either through financial contributions, product and service donations or community service efforts. The NPMA Gives award recognizes one of the companies that has gone above and beyond with its philanthropic service.
 

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Rachadi Joins Brandt as PCO Business Manager

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Mohammed Rachadi joined the Specialty Formulations team of Brandt, a manufacturer of products for the turf and agriculture markets, as PCO business manager. Rachadi has more than 25 years of experience in the pest control market. His primary responsibilities will be to develop and implement the PCO go-to-market plan and to introduce new Brandt technologies to channel partners, PMPs and university researchers. Rachadi will be based out of Atlanta, Ga., and report to National Sales Director Rodger Younker.

Before joining Brandt, Rachadi held management positions at Prokoz & Speckoz, Whitmire Research Laboratories and Cline Buckner/Waterbury. He also served as an independent consultant.

 

Applegate Heads Bayer Environmental Science

MONHEIM, Germany — In July, longtime Bayer Executive Jacqueline Applegate became head of Environmental Science, the non-agricultural business operations unit of Bayer CropScience. Environmental Science had 2014 sales of EUR 678 million (U.S. $748 million) and offers a product range for non-agricultural weed and pest control for professionals and consumers.

Applegate, who is based at the unit’s headquarters in Lyon, France, succeeds Gunnar Riemann, who has decided to leave the company to pursue other career opportunities. In her new role, Applegate also will become a member of the Bayer CropScience Executive Committee.

During her 23-year career at Bayer, Applegate has held several management positions with Environmental Science, most notably president of its North America business from 2010 to 2012. An American national, she first joined Environmental Science as head of Global Portfolio Management in Lyon, France, in 2005 and became president of Bayer Advanced Consumer Lawn & Garden USA in 2007. Until recently, Applegate was senior Bayer representative and Bayer CropScience Country head of Australia and New Zealand. She began her career with Bayer in 1992 as Process Development chemist in Product Supply, in Kansas City, Mo. Applegate then moved to Monheim, Germany, in 1998 and was appointed head of Global Project Management in 2002.
 

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Nix Termite Takes Top Place in 12th Annual Banner Contest

LIBERTY, Mo. — Pest Control Operators of California (PCOC) has announced the winners of the 12th annual Fumigation Banner Bonanza Contest, sponsored by Vikane gas fumigant. The contest recognizes California fumigators for promoting fumigation through signage at fumigation sites.

Nix Termite, Bonita, Calif., won first place with a banner that the judging panel said was professional and easy to read; the judges liked that it incorporated a QR code and logos of Angie’s List and the Better Business Bureau. Nix Termite Owner Chris Aguilar, who designed the banner, said, “I’ve been in this line of work for 27 years, so doing my own advertising and laying things like this out is something I’ve gradually improved upon over the years.” He felt it was important to include logos from referral sites so that customers know that the company is recognized on many sites as a five-star rating company, like Yelp, Angie’s List and others. Aguilar plans to use the winning prize money for an employee-appreciation party.

In second place was Gold Coast Pest Control, of Simi Valley, Calif., with a colorful banner noting that the company has been family owned since 1980. Thrasher Termite and Pest Control, of Los Gatos, Calif., was awarded third place.

Participating fumigation companies submitted photos of their banners, which included their business name, logo and contact information. A panel of communications specialists judged the banners based upon readability from a distance, professionalism, visual impact and attractiveness. The first-place winner received $1,250; second place, $1,000; and third, $500.

“Vikane has sponsored the PCOC banner contest for over a decade,” said Douglas Products Global Marketing Leader Heather Kern. “The contest allows our fumigator partners to take pride in their banners, engage in some friendly competition and promote the value of structural fumigation with Vikane gas fumigant.”
 

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NCPMA Creates Video Series

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Pest Management Association (NCPMA) has launched a new video series to educate North Carolinians about pest management issues and association programs. The first video is about the association’s Wood-Destroying Insect Report (WDIR) Accreditation Program. The video, available on the NCPMA YouTube channel (https://youtu.be/YWfoz_zc3uM), explains the WDIR program and its benefits to homeowners and real estate agents.

The WDIR Accreditation Program is state-of-the-art training for wood-destroying insect inspection professionals in North Carolina. The program prepares trainees to identify past or current infestations of wood-destroying insects. Accredited WDIR inspectors are awarded a seal to affix to each inspection report they complete. For more information, visit NCPMA at www.ncpestmanagement.org.
 

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Pest Control Insulation Meets with State Rep

LULA, Ga. — Following an invitation extended during NPMA Legislative Day on Capitol Hill in March, U.S. Representative Doug Collins met with pest management professionals whose businesses serve the Ninth district. The event, a town hall lunch discussion, was hosted by Pest Control Insulation to provide pest management professionals with the opportunity to share their challenges and insight as to how small business and pest control impacts the local economy, said Pest Control Insulation CEO and Founder Bill Turk.

Also in attendance were representatives from Arrow Exterminators, Compass Pest Control, Coppermines Pest Control and the Georgia Pest Control Association. The event included lunch and a tour.
 

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Four Rentokil Brands Team Up to Serve Their Community

PORTLAND, Ore. — In May, the Ronald McDonald East House in Portland posted a Facebook message that it was in dire need of a variety of baby, cleaning, food and toiletry items. Upon reading the request, Rentokil colleagues across four brands sprang into action. Eden Advanced Pest Technologies, Alpha Ecological, Ambius and Green Choice colleagues divided the list and scheduled a time to drop off the items together. Additionally Shawnay Norris, of Ambius, brought office plants to donate to the Ronald McDonald House office volunteers. Later that day, a Ronald McDonald House Facebook post thanked the contributors, saying, “We had a wonderful response to our Wish List Wednesday request! A gigantic round of thanks to the good people at Rentokil, Ambius, Alpha Ecological Pest Control, Eden Pest Control and Green Choice Pest Control!” They also wrote a thank you letter stating, “Your support means the world! Thank you so much for thinking of us!”

“There is a certain spark that is ignited when colleagues serve their communities together,” said Rentokil Northwest Regional Director Jack Marlowe. “The quick response from our Rentokil colleagues across different brands to help the Ronald McDonald House is evidence of that. Many of these colleagues have never met in person before, but that did not matter in the slightest. As a director in the Northwest market, I was encouraged to see our colleagues team up under the Rentokil name to do something significant for their community.” The four Rentokil brands plan to join forces again for more community service events.

“It’s great to see our colleagues taking the initiative to work together as a team regardless of their background,” said Northwest Regional Manager David Kaylor. “It’s one thing for a manager to send out a mass email encouraging teamwork, but it’s another thing altogether when colleagues take action and show tangible examples of teamwork — like the Ronald McDonald East House donations.”

JP McHale Pest Management Introduces Mobile App

BUCHANAN, N.Y. — JP McHale Pest Management, of the New York tri-state area, has introduced a mobile app aimed at enriching customers’ experiences and making it easier to access the company’s range of pest management services. The app is free and enables customers to connect with the company — and allows McHale to communicate with the public about breaking pest news, such as tick alerts.

With the app, McHale customers can access company services at any time to:

Arrange an immediate appointment.

• Report a problem.
• Send a photo of a pest condition.
• Leave a message for a technician.
• Provide feedback.
• Refer a friend.
   

The app is available on the Apple and Google Play app stores.
 

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EPA Approves Rodenticide Label Amendment for Non-Commensal Species

Fairfax, Va. — In late September 2014, the Association of Structural Pest Control Regulatory Officials (ASPCRO) asked the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to expand language to include non-commensal rodents on product labels.

In July the National Pest Management Association was notified the EPA had agreed to accept the three pack-rat species (listed below) for inclusion on rodenticide labels. The agreement, clarified in a June 5, 2015, response from ASPCRO to the agency, included:

• Neotoma albigula
• Neotoma micropus
• Neotoma mexicanus
   

In addition to the three pack-rat species, NPMA reported that EPA agreed to allow the following non-commensal rodents to be included on rodenticide labels as target pests:

• Cotton mouse (Peromyscus gossypinus)
• Cotton rat Sigmodon spp. (excluding S. hispidus insulicola)
• Eastern cotton rat (Sigmodon hispidus hispidus)
• Deer mouse (Peromyscus maniculatus)
• Eastern harvest mouse (Reithrodontomys humuli)
• Golden mouse (Ochrotomys nuttalli)
• Polynesian rat (Rattus exulans)
• Meadow vole (Microtus pennsylvanicus)
• White footed mouse (Peromyscus leucopus)
   

NPMA reports this decision applies to new registrations and to amendments of existing registered products.

NPMA says this change is beneficial for registrants and for pest professionals, enabling them to target these non-commensal rodents that EPA had not previously permitted to be listed on product labels.