ServiceMaster Announces Acquisition of Gregory Pest Solutions

Published October 22, 2019

***Updated on Oct. 22, at 3 p.m. with additional information on Gregory Pest Solutions***

MEMPHIS – ServiceMaster, parent company of Terminix, announced the acquisition of Gregory Pest Solutions, a $26.5 million firm based in Greenville, S.C., that ranked #30 on the most recent PCT Top 100. Last week, PCT reported that ServiceMaster had closed on the acquisition of Chicago area-based McCloud Services, which ranked #31 on the PCT Top 100. These acquisitions greatly expand ServiceMaster’s footprint in the Southeast and Midwest, respectively.

“We continue to deliver on our commitment to build an industry-leading commercial pest business, starting with our Copesan acquisition in 2018, and followed by the acquisitions of other Copesan providers such as Assured Environments and Cooper Pest Control,” Nik Varty, CEO of ServiceMaster, said in a press release. “We are excited to continue our progress by welcoming two additional providers in Gregory and McCloud. These acquisitions are helping us build a multi-brand service network while strategically adding incredible commercial talent and capabilities to differentiate ourselves in the eyes of our customers, and to take advantage of having the most recognized and preferred brands in the commercial sector.”

Varty added, “The Gregory and McCloud acquisitions accelerate this commercial journey. By adding extremely talented industry experts with strong capabilities in a variety of commercial sectors such as farm-to-table and multifamily housing, we add to our previous capabilities in the areas of national accounts management, bed bug treatments, and urban pest solutions.”

Phil Gregory, founder and CEO of Gregory Pest Solutions, said in the press release, “We firmly believe that it’s been our core value of taking care of people, both the employees and our customers, that has made Gregory Pest Solutions the success it is today. As a Copesan partner, we had the opportunity to experience how ServiceMaster conducts its business. It is because of the shared commitment to caring that we chose to partner with ServiceMaster.”

ServiceMaster will retain the management teams and brands of both organizations as it looks to strengthen its focus on integrated commercial pest management. Ben Walker will continue to be president of Gregory Pest Solutions. In addition to this responsibility, he will be the Southeast area leader of commercial pest operations, reporting to Greg Rutherford, president of Terminix Commercial. This follows the recent announcement that Andrew Klein, former CEO of Assured Environments, will serve as Northeast area leader of commercial pest, reporting to Rutherford. Stephanie and Chris will also continue in their leadership roles for McCloud Services, which will take a leading position as part of our Midwest division. The management teams of both businesses will also have continuing roles in the respective divisional management teams.

McCloud Services was advised by Lance Tullius of LR Tullius, Inc.

Source: Servicemaster

What’s Next?

For Phil and Sara Gregory, the sale of Gregory Pest Solutions is the culmination of 47 years of hard work and success, as their company grew from humble beginnings to regional powerhouse. Phil got his start in the industry in 1970, working with Arab Pest Control in Washington, D.C., until late 1972.

Then the Gregorys moved back to Greenville in December 1972 to form their own pest control company. Phil and Sara had a dream to create a pest control company based on a business model that focused on expert service and attention to the customers’ needs. Early in the company’s history, the Gregorys added one of their most important hires, Tammy Garrett, who gave them the added help to grow. Tammy remains employed and serves as the heartbeat of the company.

In its first 25 years, Gregory Pest Solutions provided pest control services to a wide variety of customers. Over time, the company found its niche in providing high quality services to a mix of institutional, multi-family, industrial, healthcare, and food processing customers, along with other commercial customers. Gregory’s business grew by expansion of existing accounts and word of mouth referrals from satisfied customers.

In early 1997, after years of growth in territory and increased market share, Gregory hired a young accountant, Ben Walker. Ben grew quickly in his leadership skills alongside the fast-growing company and embraced the Gregory business model. Recognizing his strong executive acumen Phil and Sara Gregory asked Ben to serve as president of Gregory in 2006. Since then. Ben has played a pivotal role in helping Gregory transform into a regional pest solutions company that serves both residential and commercial customers.

For the past fifteen years, Gregory has grown from 80 employees to 267, and has expanded its geographic reach from South Carolina and parts of North Carolina and Georgia to a 12-state market throughout the Southeast, from Maryland to Louisiana. The company’s success was further driven by the Gregory Brand, one of the most familiar in the industry, symbolized by its lime green vehicles and professional service technicians.

Recognizing the value of the Gregory Brand, ServiceMaster intends to continue operating its new business as Gregory Pest Solutions, as part of a multi-brand strategy and commitment to growth in the region.

After closing, Ben Walker has assumed a new role as area leader of the Southeast, focusing on growing business in the commercial sector. Phil and Sara Gregory will become shareholders of the new Gregory Company and Phil will serve as its Board Chairman.

Source: ServiceMaster

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