From left are former Varment Guard co-owners Sandy Vaive, Scott Steckel, Jim Vaive and John Livingston, and Stacy O’Reilly, president of Plunkett’s Pest Control.
Fridley, Minn.-based Plunkett’s Pest Control has acquired Varment Guard Environmental Services, based in Columbus, Ohio. Terms were not disclosed. The merger represents the union of two 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,” says Stacy O’Reilly, third-generation 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,” says 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: wildlife and bird control.
“We’ve flirted with those services, but now we’re equipped to get serious,” says O’Reilly. “All in all, we anticipate great things coming from this merger.”
Leave A Comment