Agreement Represents Expansion and Potential Growth in New England
Reading, PA, February 28, 2008 – Watch All Pest Control, headquartered in Weymouth, Massachusetts, has entered into an agreement to join Rentokil North America. The announcement was made by Victor Hammel, CEO of Rentokil North America and Watch All co-owners Stephen Certa, President and Peter Comrack, Vice President.
Watch All provides residential and commercial pest control, termite control and lawn care throughout Massachusetts and offers affiliate services through Connecticut, Maine, Vermont, Rhode Island and New Hampshire. The company was founded 27 years ago by Certa and Comrack as an extension of their home repair business. All of the company’s 70 coworkers will continue their employment under Certa’s leadership.
“We are excited about the addition of Watch All to the growing Rentokil family of brands in North America which currently include Ehrlich, Presto-X and Rentokil,” said Hammel. “Until recently our national marketing strategy was intended to be through Copesan. As a result of our separation from Copesan, we are now eager to find new partners to join our family of pest control providers as members or subcontractors, so the timing of our new relationship with Watch All is perfect.”
Hammel added that, “Watch All represents our entrance into the New England market, where we anticipate additional growth. Steve Certa’s role as an NPMA regional representative makes him a natural leader for us, and we look forward to working with Steve and the entire Watch All management team and staff as we move ahead.”
“This is an excellent match for our companies,” added Certa. “Our interest in working with companies like J.C. Ehrlich and Presto X stemmed from core values that very much mirror ours. For instance, Watch All has always focused on satisfying its customers by first having satisfied coworkers. Concern for their coworkers has always been a very strong component of the Ehrlich and Presto X culture as well. Joining forces offers our coworkers continued job security, career advancement, growth opportunities and improved benefits. Together we will continue the work Watch All started.”
Settlement is expected on March 1. Watch All’s 2007 revenues exceeded $7 million
Watch All represents the second significant acquisition Rentokil has made in the last six months. In September 2007, the company acquired Presto-X of Omaha, NE and its $30.0 million in revenues. In 2006, Rentokil Initial plc acquired Ehrlich Pest Control which has served as Rentokil’s platform for growth in North America. The Rentokil family of brands currently includes Ehrlich, Presto-X, Rentokil and now Watch All.
As the world’s largest commercial pest control company, Rentokil operates in 42 countries worldwide and is the leading player in many of these markets. Rentokil North America Pest Control currently employs 1,900 coworkers in 72 district offices and provides service in 33 states throughout the Mid Atlantic, South, Midwest, Southeast, Plains and Mountain states as well as Toronto, Canada. The company provides commercial and residential pest control, bioremediation, bird control, vegetation management, deer repellent services and termite control.