Batzner Pest Control
Who:
Founded in 1946, Batzner is a highly regarded, well established independent pest control company servicing the Milwaukee metro area as well as parts of Wisconsin, Michigan, Minnesota and northern Illinois. Employing over 165 colleagues, it was ranked #51 in the PCT top 100 List and had a strong reputation for quality and technical ability along with excellent customer satisfaction.
Why:
Strategically this acquisition provided Rentokil Steritech entry into the residential market in the most populated parts of Wisconsin and increased our commercial density in the state where we previously had a limited presence. Combining Batzner with our operations enabled us to provide a full service offering in this area.
The Batzner service footprint was adjacent and just to the north of Anderson Pest Solutions, another member of the Rentokil Steritech group, which would allow the creation of denser routes and an improvement in customer service.
What:
Batzner was marketed by a Pest industry broker and there was significant competition for this quality company. The president and CEO, Jerry Batzner, said that they were “looking for a company that is committed to its people and delivering great service to our customers”.
The deal was executed in a swift and professional manner. Initial discussions started in February 2017 with the letter of intent signed on 24th April 2017 and deal completion taking place on 15th June 2017.
Melissa Batzner Krische, the Batzner GM who has remained with the business since the acquisition added “We really focused on finding a partner who was customer centric with an emphasis on employee growth opportunities. Rentokil Steritech matched ideally with us on that plus there are now new market opportunities that will improve the customers experience as Rentokil Steritech is the leading pest control firm in the United States with a ‘Brand Protection’ offering”.
Results:
The Batzner management team have proven to be a great cultural fit and have supported a smooth integration. This consistency of management has ensured that there have been no disruptions to customer service and has allowed the business to grow at ~14% in the first year since acquisition making this an excellent addition to the Rentokil Steritech family.
Results:
The Batzner management team have proven to be a great cultural fit and have supported a smooth integration. This consistency of management has ensured that there have been no disruptions to customer service and has allowed the business to grow at ~14% in the first year since acquisition making this an excellent addition to the Rentokil Steritech family.