Pest Management Associations from Across the Globe Meet at PestWorld

FAIRFAX, Va. — During its recent annual convention, PestWorld, the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) hosted a meeting of the Global Pest Management Coalition to discuss the structure of the organization and its focus areas for the coming year.

The mission of the Coalition is to provide a unified voice across the globe promoting the value of pest management in ensuring the protection of health, home, food and businesses. Its purpose is to share knowledge, ensure consistency in messaging to members and the public, elevate professionalism, and harmonize efforts across the globe.

“The Global Coalition participants used the opportunity at this meeting to discuss structure, funding and strategy for moving forward,” said NPMA CEO Dominique Stumpf. “Ultimately, the Coalition will drive collaboration among global pest management associations in achieving our common goals — particularly those involving the protection of public health and property.”

For more information on the Global Pest Management Coalition, contact Dominique Stumpf at dstumpf@pestworld.org.

ServiceMaster Reports 2017 Q3 Financial Results

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — ServiceMaster Global Holdings recently announced its unaudited third-quarter 2017 results. The company reported a year-over-year revenue increase of 5 percent, driven primarily by organic growth at American Home Shield (“AHS”), as well as the impact of acquiring Landmark Home Warranty (“Landmark”) in November 2016 and 7 percent growth at the Franchise Services Group.

Third-quarter 2017 net income was $80 million, or $0.59 per share, versus $70 million, or $0.51 per share, in the same period in 2016. Third-quarter 2017 Adjusted EBITDA was $200 million, a year-over-year increase of $8 million, or 4 percent. Third-quarter 2017 adjusted net income was $99 million, or $0.73 per share, versus $81 million, or $0.59 per share, for the same period in 2016.

“During the quarter, we achieved continued strong growth at American Home Shield and the Franchise Services Group, while making progress on our transformational initiatives at Terminix,” said ServiceMaster Chief Executive Officer Nik Varty. “At Terminix, third-quarter revenue was $395 million, comparable to prior year. However, excluding the temporary impact of the hurricanes and the attrition of Alterra customers, Terminix revenue increased 2 percent over prior year. We are continuing to focus on improving customer retention by significantly upgrading the customer experience. We are strengthening our leadership team and driving accountability throughout the organization so that we can consistently deliver on our commitments.”

Varty added, “We are on track with our previously announced plans to spin off American Home Shield in the third quarter of 2018. The spin-off will allow Terminix to fully focus on its transformational activities, while allowing AHS to pursue its high-growth opportunities.”

Of most interest to the pest management industry are Terminix’s financial results. The firm reported a slight year-over-year revenue decrease in the third quarter of 2017 as increases in core termite control, termite renewals, wildlife exclusion, insulation and mosquito sales were offset by a decline in core pest control revenue, which included the expected decline in revenue associated with the prior acquisition of Alterra Pest Control. Hurricanes Harvey and Irma also negatively impacted third quarter revenue by $4 million as the result of 53 branches, primarily in Texas and Florida, being temporarily closed for a period of time in August and September. Adjusting for these temporary branch closures and the impact of Alterra customer attrition, revenue would have grown 2 percent in the third quarter. Adjusted EBITDA decreased 11 percent, or $10 million, versus prior year, primarily reflecting a $3 million impact due to the revenue loss from hurricanes Harvey and Irma, a $3 million increase in termite damage claims, a $2 million increase in insurance costs, a $2 million increase in sales and marketing costs and a $1 million increase in production labor costs associated with the company’s effort to improve safety, customer service and retention, offset, in part, by a $1 million increase in revenue conversion.

Hawaiian Association Announces Fumigation Banner Contest Winners

LIBERTY, Mo. — The Hawaiian Pest Control Association (HPCA) announced the winners of its annual Fumigation Banner Bonanza Contest, sponsored by Douglas Products and Vikane gas fumigant. The contest recognizes the promotion of structural fumigation through outstanding job site banner signage.

Bowman Termite & Pest Management of Wailuku, Hawaii, took first place honors. The judging panel commented on the banner’s graphic as being a memorable connection to the company’s name, along with easy-to-read contact information.

In second place was Aloha Termite, Lihue, Hawaii, with a banner featuring a brightly colored floral graphic, an offer for a free estimate and company contact information. Xtermco of Waipahu, Hawaii, won third place honors; and Chemi-Pure of Honolulu, Hawaii, earned fourth place.

Participating fumigation and pest management companies submitted photos of their banners for judging by a panel of professional communications specialists. Criteria included readability from a distance, professional image, visual impact and overall attractiveness. Pest control companies with winning banners were awarded prizes in the following amounts: first place, $500; second place, $300; and third place, $100.

“We are pleased to sponsor HPCA’s banner contest,” says Heather Kern, commercial leader for Douglas Products, manufacturer of Vikane. “Structural fumigation is a very important service in Hawaii, and jobsite banners help companies reach homeowners.” For more information about fumigation with Vikane, visit www.termitetenting.com and www.fumigationfacts.com.

GPCA Elects Executive Officers; Announces Burnett Scholarship Winners

NORCROSS, Ga. — The Georgia Pest Control Association (GPCA) welcomed a new slate of executive officers for 2017-18. The officers were sworn in during the 2017 GPCA Summer Conference in Palm Coast, Fla.

The new officers include President Roger Lemaster of Cook’s Pest Control, Rome; Vice President Stuart Sinyard of Adams Exterminators in Albany; Secretary/Treasurer Garry Adams of Northwest Exterminating in Marietta; and Chairman of the Board Randy Martin of HomeTec Exterminating in Alpharetta.

The officers will serve a one-year term ending July 2018. Each of the executive officers has served previous terms on the board of directors and has been active in board committees.

GPCA also announced that six recipients will receive a scholarship from the Georgia Pest Control Association scholarship fund. The students are children of GPCA members representing pest control companies throughout Georgia.

In 1986, GPCA honored Glenn Burnett by establishing a member scholarship in his name. He served as executive director for GPCA for almost 20 years. Since inception, GPCA has awarded $117,000 to members’ children.

Totally funded by a share of the proceeds from the annual charity golf tournament, the scholarship has grown in recent years. The students will each receive a $1,000 scholarship. All are freshmen.

CLS Mosquito Awareness Campaign Wins Award

MORTON GROVE, Ill. — Celtic Chicago, a full-service marketing agency, won awards in two categories of the 2017 Summit Creative Awards, an international competition evaluating creative and communication programs across 13 categories.

Celtic was awarded with a “Silver” level distinction in the “Print Advertising — Business to Business” category for a campaign promoting the Bug Free Grains lineup of stored grain protectants from client Central Life Sciences. The campaign was carried through a product brochure, print collateral pieces and advertising efforts with bold colors and various images to illustrate the damaging effects of insect infestations within stored grain.

A second initiative with Central Life Sciences was recognized as the “SLAP — Support, Learning, Awareness and Prevention” mosquito awareness campaign and earned the “Bronze” level distinction in the “Public Service Campaign” category. The integrated campaign combined web, social media and public relations efforts nationally with focused out-of-home efforts in Chicago, Houston and Ft. Lauderdale to help promote awareness around the threat of mosquitoes and the important role both the public and mosquito abatement districts play in limiting their spread.

“We are honored to have our work recognized among such esteemed companies and view these awards as a reflection of the creative and impactful marketing ideas our Advertising, Digital and Public Relations teams produce every day at Celtic,” said President/CEO Marlene Byrne. “In the end, though, everything we do at Celtic is to benefit our clients and help them succeed in their respective businesses.”

Since 1994, the Summit Creative Awards have recognized creative excellence in advertising from small- and medium-sized agencies. In 2017, the competition received more than 5,000 nominations from 24 countries. Learn more at http://summitawards.com.

WinField United Pro Unveils eStore for PMPs

SHOREVIEW, Minn. — WinField United Pro recently launched its first e-commerce site for pest control operators, offering its own branded products, as well as a full assortment of vended pest control products from major manufacturers.

The online store aims to focus on pest control products with the initial release, but may expand in to other product categories in the future, the company said. WinField United Pro currently offers a full suite of professional turf, ornamental, aquatic and vegetation management, and pest control products through full-service sales representatives across the country.

The e-store was designed to create a simple, intuitive and informative online shopping experience for pest control professionals who may not have access to full-service sales representatives, WinField reports. Customers can create an account and store shipping and billing information for recurring orders, save Wishlists for future ease of ordering, access exclusive promotions on top-selling pest control products and view past order information. The store is a one-stop-shop for pest control operators, WinField says.

John Smith, director of marketing for WinField United Pro, said, “We are looking forward to extending our footprint within the pest control industry by allowing customers the flexibility to do business with us online and through mobile devices. The e-commerce platform was designed to provide our customers flexibility to partner with us on their schedule while continuing to provide the services, solutions and insights they expect from WinField United. WinField United Pro is excited to service the pest control industry via this new online channel!”

Professionals can visit www.winproonline.com to create a personalized account and browse hundreds of pest control products.