Royal Fumigation Opens New Facility in Suffolk, Virginia

SUFFOK, Va. — Royal Fumigation announced the opening of a state-of-the-art fumigation facility in Suffolk, Va., approximately 18 miles from the Norfolk-area ports. At this facility, Royal fumigates logs as well as containerized and break-bulk commodities, which may include logs and lumber, wood packing material, tobacco, cotton, perishables, fresh fruit, cocoa beans, and other stored products.

Royal’s off-site services include full-service maritime pest control for ships, docks, and warehouses. Royal also customizes services for food and other facility warehouse programs.

Because it is Royal’s intent to expand in response to the needs of customers and area ports, Royal has purchased 12 acres on the Suffolk site. Currently, in addition to the fumigation buildings, five acres are set aside for short-term storage of containers. There is also a soil treatment area for cleaning containers that have held military equipment, tile, auto parts, and more.

The need to have fumigation services convenient to the ports took on added importance when Virginia International Terminals Inc. (VIT) announced in September 2006 that it would no longer provide fumigation services on port property, leaving it to outside contractors who specialize in fumigation services and can do it more efficiently.

“Our goal is to be the leader in developing and providing high quality, innovative fumigation and pest control services to help protect the world’s forestry and agricultural products,” said Phil Mullen, commercial account specialist, Royal Fumigation. “We achieve that goal by ensuring that the highest standards of safety are met and that all of our fumigations are in full compliance with USDA and international standards.”