Lively Discussions Highlight Final Installment of 'Good to Great'

SUNNY ISLES, FLA. — About 170 pest management professionals gathered at the Trump International Royal Sonesta Beach Resort in Sunny Isles, Fla., for the third and final chapter of the National Pest Management Association’s "Good to Great" series of meetings. "Good to Great: Built to Last" was sponsored by Bayer Environmental Science.

Wednesday’s sessions were kicked off by welcoming remarks from Steve Burt, managing director, professional pest management, Bayer Environmental Science and Rob Lederer, executive vice president of NPMA. Burt introduced the afternoon’s first featured speaker, Andy Hobart, divisional managing director, Rentokil Initial.

In Hobart’s presentation, titled “Industry Trends: An Global Perspective,” he discussed current trends in pest management industries throughout the world. Rentokil Initial is headquartered in London but expanded its North American presence with the purchase of J.C. Ehrlich, a $100+ million pest management firm headquartered in Reading, Pa.

Hobart stated the global pest control market is a $11.5 billion industry. The United States has about half of that revenue, with sales of $6.1 billion, he said. Unlike the rest of the world, 75 percent of the U.S. pest control market is residential. “In the UK, at best, residential is 25 percent,” Hobart said. “The shape of business really looks quite different.”

Hobart said he sees consolidation as a big global trend, as well as companies having to decide whether they’re going to bundle a number of services or specialize in just one aspect of pest control. In addition, he said there is money available through private equity to fund growth strategies.

In addition to Hobart’s presentation, attendees heard from Clarke Keenan, president, Waltham Services, Waltham, Mass. Keenan spoke about the value of strong leadership and included information about his leadership style, as well as various company initiatives, including Waltham Services’ business plan.

Thursday’s PCO speakers included:
• Kevin Clark, Critter Control
• Russ Ives, Rose Pest Solutions
• Bobby Jenkins, ABC Pest & Lawn Services
• Dennis Jenkins, ABC Pest & Lawn Services of DFW
• Raleigh Jenkins, ABC Pest, Pool & Lawn Services
• Lee Blevins, Antimite Associates

Helping to bring the "Good to Great" conferences full circle were networking opportunities like the Thursday evening reception in which attendees were given opportunities to speak with "Good to Great" alumni speakers.

On Friday, alumni speakers "closed the book" on the "Good to Great" series of meetings with a lively panel discussion.