VIEWPOINT: The Story Behind "The List"

This month, PCT presents its inaugural list of “Top 100” structural pest management firms. Our January cover story, consisting of the “Top 100” list and several informative company profiles, is one we knew would be well read by the industry and generate feedback from our readers. After all, one of the most frequently asked questions we encounter is, “What are the largest, most influential companies in the industry?” So we decided to do our best to answer that question, understanding that some companies might be overlooked despite our best efforts. If your company slipped through the cracks, we’re genuinely sorry. We didn’t purposely leave anyone off the list, which begins on page 24.

Here’s a little background: One of PCT’s sister magazines, Lawn & Landscape, is in its fifth year of publishing its popular “Top 100” list. After witnessing the success of the Lawn & Landscape list, the PCT staff decided we wanted to give it a shot. So, about a year ago, the data-gathering began. Certain PCT readers (whose subscriptions were up for renewal), received a company profile form on their March 2001 issue of PCT. In addition, everyone on PCT’s circulation list — 23,000 readers in all — received the form on the cover of their September 2001 issue. Further, we visited our local library and researched numerous volumes of Dun & Bradstreet to secure additional revenue data and cross-check our numbers. We also searched the Internet for local newspaper articles about the companies featured on the list and talked to executive directors at a number of state and regional pest management associations to determine what companies should be included. Finally, we faxed forms to hundreds of subscribers and our editors called many more companies in those final days before the issue was sent off to the printer in late December. In short, we did everything we could to confirm, double check and verify all revenue figures, and make the list as comprehensive as possible.

The “Top 100” list is based on 2000 revenues and other available data and is not an endorsement of any particular company or individual. We all know that just because a company is bigger doesn’t necessarily mean it’s better. Just because a company has multiple branch offices it doesn’t mean that the firm provides better service than a one-person operation. And just because a company has jaw-dropping revenue figures doesn’t make it the best company in your market area. We all know what makes a pest control company great: quality service at a fair price...and there are thousands of companies in our industry that do just that, including those on our Top 100 list, which deserve our respect for building successful firms in an incredibly competitive business environment.

The next time we put this list together, we’d appreciate your input. We want as many pest management professionals to participate as possible. To include your company in next year’s list, log onto our Web site,  www.pctonline.com and click on “Top 100.”  Take this list with a grain of salt. They’re just numbers. But they sure are interesting…

The author is editor of PCT magazine.