Associated Pest Services Meeting a Forum for Exchanging Ideas

Current Associated members, as well as some retired members, gathered for the group’s winter meeting, Feb. 8 – 11, in Sarasota, Fla. (Associated also has a yearly summer meeting).

What is Associated Pest Services? Because it does not seek publicity, in many ways Associated Pest Services is one of the best kept secrets in the pest management industry. Formed in the 1950s, Associated Pest Services was the result of a group of like-minded PCOs banding together for insurance purchasing buying power.

Today, Associated is comprised of companies that vary in size and scope, but share similar cultures, values and goals. Another stipulation is that only one member company can occupy a particular territory, although occasionally overlapping will occur. Because of these requirements, Associated is very selective in choosing new members, although the group is looking to grow from 53 companies to 100, according to member Mike Rottler, president of Rottler Pest and Lawn Solutions, St. Louis, Mo.

Associated Pest Services Mission is simple: “To help member pest management firms and our world wide customers achieve success.”

“Associated is not dedicated to obtaining national accounts,” Rottler said. “Our primary function is as an educational association.” Thus, major goals of Associated are: to develop future industry leaders; to learn from others; to share with others; and to improve personally and professionally.

Continuing Traditions. One of the founding Associated members was Charles Rosenthal, Charles Termite & Pest Control, Tulsa, Okla., whose uncle was Otto Orkin. Like many Associated companies, Charles Termite & Pest Control still has representation on Associated today, as the company is run by Charles’ son, Terry Rosenthal. “One of the changes I’ve seen (with Associated) is the emergence of second- and third-generation owners, many of whom are more aggressive in growing their companies.”

With a solid foundation in place featuring many second- and third-generation members and a focus on self-improvement, Associated Pest Services has quietly played an important role in raising industry standards.

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News and notes. In keeping with its goal of learning and sharing with one another in order to grow personally and professionally, Associated members gave comprehensive presentations on important business and technical issues, including:

• Chuck Tindol, Allgood Pest Solutions, gave a presentation on how to build Web traffic and how to get your company's name to appear high when users do Web searches. Tindol noted that Internet advertising is especially important in “Web savvy” Atlanta. He said the return on investment for Internet Advertising has been outstanding, noting that last year Allgood’s Web advertising generated a 1,400% return in new business.
• Associated recognized new members: Bob Dold Jr., Rose Pest Solutions (Chicago); Bert Putterman, Arizona Exterminating; Joe Lupini, Loyal Termite and Pest Control; Kevin Pass, Action Pest Control; Kevin Kordek, A-Active Termite and Pest Control, Craig Thomas, Craig Thomas Pest Control
• In the day one Cracker Barrel session, hot topics included: credit card security; the benefits of hiring a business coach; family succession planning; incorporating a hazard communication plan; and should technicians take a lunch break? Bert Putterman of Arizona Exterminating noted that in the Southwest, the Yellow Pages just added a termite category. The group commented that this seems to be an effort to get more advertising dollars from pest management professionals.
• Pam Blauveldt of Griffin Pest Solutions gave a presentation on outsourcing hard and soft collections. They found this approach to be less expensive and more successful than doing it in house. Griffin paid a $10,000 flat fee (no benefits, payroll taxes, fica) and collected $77,000 in seven months. Blauveldt then gave a presentation on routing. Griffin realized a 35 percent gain in profitability after rerouting with a program that uses archlogistics.
• In the day two Cracker Barrel session, the following issues were discussed.

— Concerns about gas prices. Mike Rottler stated he uses Drive Cam and it’s helped with accident reductions, but the "jury is still out" on fuel savings.

— Matt Nixon of American Pest Management inquired if anyone offered odor control services. American is considering such an offering because they service a lot of older buildings that have “trash rooms.”

— New employee recruitment. Jack Marlowe of Eden Advanced Pest Technologies said using women on his Web site and in posters has helped his company recruit more women in traditional male positions. Bert Putterman uses a company called OMG to build a customized test for potential new employees. New hire retention went from 30 percent to 80 percent after these tests were implemented, Putterman said. Jerry Batzner of Batzner Pest Management suggested targeting companies that hire and train recent college graduates. These recent college grads receive great training in practical day to day business skills.

— Jeff Springer of Springer Pest Solutions converted from a medical plan to a health savings plan (Aetna). He feels he should control costs in 2006-2007 with double digit savings.