Plunkett’s Pest Control Acquires Varment Guard Environmental Services

Plunkett’s Pest Control, Inc. recently announced it has acquired Varment Guard Environmental Services, Inc., based in Columbus, OH. The merger represents the union of two highly regarded, family-owned companies and propels Plunkett’s into new markets in addition to expanding its service specialties.

“We could not be happier to have the Varment Guard team join ours”, said Stacy O’Reilly, President of Plunkett’s Pest Control. “The biggest win for us is their people. Just a great group of individuals. It all starts there. We care deeply about keeping integrity and honest service values in our business.”

The merger expands Plunkett’s service area from 11 states to 17 states and brings the company’s annual revenue to about $55 million. Varment Guard is the largest acquisition in Plunkett’s history.

“In 1983 we started our company with the intent of creating a family business and the purpose of providing employment to those who might not have the opportunity to work anywhere else” said Jim Vaive, co-owner and spokesperson for the Varment Guard ownership group, including Sandy Vaive, John Livingston and Scott Steckel. “We always strove to maintain a high level of integrity in our business and met all of our purposes. Eventually, we got to the point where it wasn’t possible to sell to heirs. That’s when we started investigating all kinds of potential buyers – somewhere around 20. We wanted a buyer who would keep the essence of our company intact and treat our customers and our employees well. Stacy and Plunkett’s team have been fantastic. Stacy moves with such intent and insight. And her team has shown incredible kindness and respect, and they share our values. It feels like home.”

Both Plunkett’s and Varment Guard are full-service residential and commercial pest management service providers. However, Varment Guard brings with it two new service offerings to Plunkett’s: their formidable wildlife and bird control programs. “We’ve flirted with those services”, said O’Reilly, “but now we’re equipped to get serious. All in all, we anticipate great things coming from this merger.”

 

About Plunkett’s: Founded in 1915 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, Plunkett’s Pest Control, Inc. is a family-owned and operated corporation led by third-generation president, Stacy O’Reilly. Still based in Minneapolis, Plunkett’s delivers professional pest control services to over 44,000 residential and commercial clients in 11 states. Plunkett’s currently has 396 employees and an annual revenue of $47 million. In the last 8 years, Plunkett’s has also expanded its expertise into technology solutions for the pest management industry.
Plunkett’s Pest Control, 40 NE 52nd Way, Fridley, Minnesota 55421, 763-571-7100, www.plunketts.net   

About Varment Guard: Based in Columbus, Ohio, Varment Guard Environmental Services was founded in 1983. Since its inception, the company focused on niche services like nuisance animal removal and pest bird management in addition to general pest control services in the residential and commercial sectors. Owners of Varment Guard are Jim Vaive, Sandy Vaive, John Livingston, and Scott Steckel. The company operates in 7 states, has 80 employees, and an annual revenue of $8 million.
Varment Guard Environmental Solutions, 5220 Westerville Rd, Columbus, Ohio 43231, 800-793-8169, www.varmentguard.com