Copesan Initiates Disengagement With J.C. Ehrlich/Rentokil and Presto-X
MENOMONEE FALLS, Wis. — Copesan Services announced that it had initiated the termination of its association with its stockholder Partners J.C. Ehrlich/Rentokil and Presto-X.
“After the purchase of J.C. Ehrlich by Rentokil in 2006, the combined operation of J.C. Ehrlich/Rentokil remained a beneficial fit for both our organizations. However, with the recent acquisition of Presto-X, their new, combined geographic footprint, along with their stated goal to be a national player in the United States, has put Copesan into a competitive situation that we could no longer continue to overlook,” said Alfie Treleven, president of Sprague Pest Solutions, Tacoma, Wash., and chairman of Copesan’s Board of Directors. “After many years together as joined forces, the time has come for our organizations to part ways and pursue our individual company goals.”
Leadership from the Copesan, J.C. Ehrlich/Rentokil and Presto-X organizations will meet to discuss the transition of the business and its associated timelines. “Our primary focus at this point is on the methodical transition of the Copesan accounts to their new service Partner and on maintaining uninterrupted, quality service at every client location,” said Copesan President Deni Naumann.
Victor Hammel, president of J.C. Ehrlich and CEO of Rentokil Pest Control North America, said that neither he nor Presto-X President Ward Combs were surprised by the decision, but they were “taken aback by the timing.”
With the acquisition of J.C. Ehrlich and Presto-X, Rentokil had planned to grow in partnership with the Copesan network. But Hammel and Combs both see a silver lining. “Our independence greatly expands our opportunities to work with a wider range of pest management companies,” said Hammel. “We welcome quality companies who wish to join Presto-X, J. C. Ehrlich and our family of companies as either service partners or for possible acquisition.”
Combs added that both J.C. Ehrlich and Presto-X will honor all service commitments in keeping with the spirit of their Copesan partnership. “The customer has been – and always will be – our top priority.”
Mike Campbell, Copesan vice president of operations, said, “Copesan’s ongoing Partner expansion strategy to ensure back-up coverage in all areas and our redundant service capability by other Copesan Partners in much of J.C. Ehrlich/Rentokil and Presto-X service territory, we have the ability to transfer our accounts to other service centers.”
He added that Copesan already has a transition plan in progress for the accounts that J.C. Ehrlich/Rentokil and Presto-X are servicing.
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