Pest Management Professional, November 2011
STATE OF THE INDUSTRY REPORT PMPs Not Slowing Down Economy stalls in neutral but industry confident traveling the road ahead O ptimism reigns in the pest management industry heading into next year but its tempered with the reality that a full economic recovery for the nation wont be accomplished anytime soon How the economy affects business is top of mind for many pest management professionals PMPs surveyed in this years State of the Industry by pmp Seventy percent of those who responded to the survey say their big big gest concern is a prolonged recession and almost half 47 percent say its their biggest concern With businesses so burdened by government regulations and taxes its becoming more difficult to stay afloat says Randall Eshom vice president of Upstate Pest Management in Redding Calif I see this coming year as a rough one but maybe theres light at the end of the tunnel Even though a prolonged recession higher taxes and fuel costs are keeping PMPs up at night only 9 percent say the state of the pest management service market in their region has slightly or significantly declined Those who have an optimistic business outlook heading into the coming year increased 6 percent Some are making sure their business outlook is rosy by employing triedand true business strategies I havent put my head in the sand but Ive ramped up our advertising increased our presence on the Web networked more participated in home and garden shows stressed the importance of keeping customers happy and worked hard to keep employees happy says Doug Foster owner of Burts Termite Pest Control in Columbus Ind If there ever was a time for owners or manag manag ers to step up and be leaders this is it So while the recession proof industry is feeling the effects of a lingering economic downturn the future is looking brighter this year compared to last and thats a trend all on its own pmp Kelli Milligan Stammen SOI Supplement Editor IN THIS ISSUE S4 Leaders of the pack Bedbugs continue to be the revenue leader but termites ants and rodents also are helping the bottom line S10 Full speed ahead PMPs have some concerns but are looking forward to a successful 2012 S12 Rodents Rodents continue their steady increase as PMPs compare baiting trapping and exclusion S13 Bedbugs Still lapping the revenue competition these little pests show no signs of putting on the brakes S14 Termites What a difference a year makes Revenue from these wood eaters has speed S15 Green Green products are here to stay but profits from a dedicated green program are hard to come by WHO RESPONDED Average Make up of Respondents to State of the Industry Survey 73 Respondents with 1 10 employees 69 PMPs who have a very or somewhat optimistic 2012 business outlook 14 Increase in Operating Costs from 2009 2010 16 Increase in Operating Costs from 2010 2011 24 Average number of years in business mypmp net Pest Management Professional November 2011 S3
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