As the first and only chlorophacinone soft bait rodenticide for the professional market, the company says, Flatline Soft Bait offers an ideal solution to help pest management professionals (PMPs) solve their toughest pest challenges.
Flatline is a multiple-feed anticoagulant solution labeled for several rodent species, including house mice, Norway rats and roof rats. It is a good choice for everyday use to help stop damage caused by rodents, and it can be used during light to heavy rodent activity.
Like all soft baits manufactured by “The Soft Bait Innovators,” Liphatech, Flatline maintains its integrity in hot environments and offers a palatable formulation and bait matrix that rodents will eat.
PMPs can purchase the 28-gram pouches of Flatline in 4-pound bags, cases of eight 4-pound bags and 16-pound pails.
In addition to the effective control provided by Flatline and Liphatech’s full portfolio of intelligent pest management solutions, customers can also take advantage of its team of industry professionals. With more than 150 years of combined experience, all members of the Liphatech team work together to ensure PMPs are equipped with the products, strategies and recommendations they need to combat infestations and work toward achieving control.
About Liphatech
Known for its rodent control solutions, the Milwaukee, Wis.-based Liphatech is considered to be the developer of three of the industry’s active ingredients: chlorophacinone, bromadiolone and difethialone. The company was founded in France in 1946 io develop anticoagulants for the treatment of heart patients. It developed chlorophacinone in the 1960s and branded it as Rozol, a family of products that includes grain and pelleted products for field and structural use, and a tracking powder for use in and around structures. In the 1970s, Liphatech developed bromadiolone, its original second-generation rodenticide active ingredient.
The innovations continued with the opening of its U.S. facility in 1987. Research there and in Europe resulted in the discovery of difethialone during the late 1980s, with U.S. Environmental Protection Agency registration as an active ingredient in 1995.
Lee Thompson has joined Smarter Launch, a Mesa, Ariz.-based provider of proposal software for pest control companies. As an account executive, Thompson will work directly with pest control owners and operators to show how Smarter Launch can strengthen their sales process and increase the long-term value of their businesses.
Thompson brings more than 20 years of executive leadership across Fortune 50 companies and private equity. He entered the pest control industry with Terminix, where a move closer to family turned into a long-term career. He went on to co-found and grow his own pest control company, then joined Certus as director of sales before being named VP of mergers and acquisitions (M&A). In 2025, Thompson founded Trivie Business Brokers, where he works with home services owners on valuation, growth and exit strategies. Outside of work, Thompson lives in Auburn, Ala., with his wife, Jasmin, and their two children, Evie and Tripp.
Across hundreds of M&A deals and evaluations, Thompson says he has seen two issues repeatedly erode business value: weak accounting and poor sales tracking. Buyers want to see clear revenue and a documented sales process, and owners who can’t produce either face a harder, longer road when it matters most.
“I met the founders of Smarter Launch because I was frustrated the product didn’t exist yet,” he said in the news release. “When I met Darren (Hunsaker, company founder), the team was building it, and I saw the vision immediately. I’ve been on the Smarter Launch train from the beginning. I meet with owners and operators constantly, and 97 percent of them aren’t looking to sell. They’re looking to improve their business and grow sales. This is a tool every company needs in their arsenal.”
In his first year, Thompson will focus on helping owners recognize how much value sits in a process most companies overlook.
“I don’t think people value the proposal process enough,” he said in the news release. “It’s an essential tool to help owners take their business, and their sales, to the next level.”
About Smarter Launch
Smarter Launch is a proposal software platform built specifically for the pest control industry. Designed by industry professionals, the platform helps companies create clear, professional service proposals that homeowners can easily understand. With features like visual diagrams, customizable branding, automated follow-ups and interactive proposal tools, Smarter Launch focuses on helping pest control businesses communicate value, close more sales and streamline their sales process.
The theme for this year’s New York Pest Expo, taking place from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Eastern on Nov. 12 at the George Washington Bridge Doubletree Hotel in Fort Lee, N.J. is “The Art of Pest Management.”
At its finest, pest management is a craft blending technology, science and innovation. Never stop growing. Never stop improving. Aim to be a master. Come sharpen your cognitive skills with key insights from some of the industry’s most outstanding talents. Harness the power of the New York Pest Expo – a great pest management event.
The 2026 Edition promises to be bigger and better than ever with more exhibitors and attendees than in years past. Stay tech-savvy and sharp as you visit with dozens of manufacturers and business support providers. Take advantage of great promotions and blowout pricing on supplies and equipment. Come refine your skills and don’t miss out.
Total New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Credits for the event are as follows: 7A: 6.00, 7F: 4.00, 8: 5.00
Every pest control visit is a chance to grow your business. With Private Label by Catchmaster, your logo goes on professional-grade glue traps and monitoring stations, so every product you place becomes a marketing touchpoint that keeps working long after the job is done. Every Catchmaster Private Label partner is paired with a dedicated Catchmaster Pro sales representative who guides you from design through production.
If you’re attending PestWorld 2026, stop by Booth No. 231 to try Catchmaster’s new interactive private-label tool. Drop in your logo and company name right on the spot and watch your own branded products come to life on screen. It’s the fastest way to picture what’s possible, and it’s just the start. Every private label partner gets a dedicated Catchmaster representative to guide design and production from concept to shelf.
Don’t miss what’s new from AP&G’s Catchmaster Pro at PestWorld 2026.
About Catchmaster Pro
Catchmaster Pro is the professional brand of AP&G Co., a leading manufacturer of pest management solutions. Using a science-based approach, the company creates high-quality products for rodent, insect and mosquito management. Founded in 1952 in Brooklyn, N.Y., by Moses Frisch, an immigrant chemist from Hungary, AP&G Co. started with the production of specialty adhesives. Now based in Bayonne, N.J., with third-generation Frisch family members at the helm, AP&G has helped to support PMPs in their control, monitoring and prevention work of pests worldwide.
Hoffman’s Exterminating Co. built its stellar reputation on its commitment to quality service, highly trained employees, and community involvement. Its beloved mascot, BugsBee, aids brand recognition.
In March, it joined the Arrow Exterminators family of companies. The Mantua, N.J.-based pest control company, which employs more than 100 team members and serves customers in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania, continues to operate under the Hoffman’s Exterminating Co. brand.
Bill Hoffman, CEO at the time of the acquisition, founded the family-owned company in 1990. He did not reach the decision to sell his company lightly. Going from zero to more than $16 million in revenue took hard work, dedication and a team of skilled employees, and he did not intend to partner with a company that was a bad fit.
“This was never about simply selling a business,” says Hoffman, 64, who now serves as VP of food safety and commercial development. “It was about bringing together two great family businesses that shared similar values.”
The acquisition allowed the Atlanta, Ga.-based pest control powerhouse to expand to the northeastern portion of the country. Arrow Exterminators already serves customers in Alabama, Arizona, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New Jersey, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.
Photo: HOFFMAN’S EXTERMINATING CO.
Considering all options
About four years ago, Hoffman and his partner began discussing their succession plan. They explored options that included offering an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP), bringing in another partner, transitioning ownership to their children, and transferring ownership to a key employee.
“Ultimately, several factors — primarily the cost and risk involved — made those options less viable,” he says.
However, partnering with Arrow Exterminators made sense. Hoffman had been working with the company on projects for years, providing joint services to national and regional companies and serving on boards. He even attended a Christmas party at the home of Chairman Joe Thomas, who is a Pest Management Professional Hall of Famer (Class of 2009). These experiences not only helped build trust; they also helped confirm their company cultures, missions and beliefs were aligned.
“Selling a business is emotional, but you should never make an emotional decision,” Hoffman explains. “For many owners, the company represents a lifetime of hard work. It also may be the single greatest opportunity to provide financial security and retirement for your family, while creating more opportunities for your employees.”
Acquisition process
Hoffman says there was no single factor that compelled him to sell. “Rather, several key factors aligned at the same time and indicated we were ready for the next chapter,” he explains.
At first, his conversations with Arrow Exterminators focused on vision, growth and future opportunities. Hoffman says he had serious discussions about four years ago, but the timing was not quite right. That changed in 2025.
“I reached out again, and many of the obstacles we had faced previously had been resolved,” Hoffman recalls. “Chief Development Officer Kevin Burns and I sat down, created a list of pros and cons, agreed on terms, and started the process. We intentionally kept things simple and limited the number of people involved.”
When it came time to consider an acquisition partner, Hoffman says he had four primary priorities:
Protect the company culture.
Protect the company’s reputation and customer relationships.
Take care of employees the same way they always had.
Ensure that they continued to support and serve the community.
No stranger to the acquisition process — Hoffman acquired 15 companies over the years — he understood what to expect. Still, he relied on a team of trusted professionals that included a financial advisor, an attorney and an accountant.
“This is the time to look under the hood and honestly evaluate your business,” he says. “It takes discipline to slow down and assess both what you do well and where you can improve. Whether a transaction happens soon, later or not at all, improving your company benefits everyone.”
Resist the temptation to make major changes for the sole purpose of making your numbers look better, Hoffman adds. Selling off assets or undertaking significant operational changes could raise questions during the due diligence process. “Stay true to who you are and focus on doing it better,” he says.
Sharing the news
Once the details of the acquisition had been worked out and the deal had been finalized, the time came to share the news with employees.
Hoffman’s Exterminating Co. waited for the right time. First to get the news was the leadership team, which found out the night before. The next day, the announcement was made to all employees as part of a joint meeting with Arrow Exterminators’ leadership team.
“As expected, the news was difficult for some employees. Reactions ranged from excitement and optimism to fear and uncertainty,” Hoffman says. “I believe there is no ‘perfect’ way to deliver this kind of news. In my situation, the most important factor was remaining calm, positive and committed to our people.”
Hoffman and his team also personally contacted the company’s top customers and communicated with many others via email. Every email included his direct email address and cell phone number.
“Our message was simple: Hoffman’s is here to stay. Our people remain in place, our brand remains strong, and our commitment to serving customers remains unchanged,” he says. “Overall, customers responded very positively.”
Communication was instrumental in reassuring employees and customers, as a joint email blast from Hoffman and Arrow Exterminators CEO Emily Thomas Kendrick reinforced the two companies’ commitment to quality, community and their people.
“I do think that ‘walking the walk,’ as I remained actively engaged by meeting with customers, working alongside our team and consistently reinforcing the reasons behind the decision, kept people engaged and less stressed,” Hoffman says. “Our goal was to create more opportunities for employees and customers alike, opportunities that would extend well beyond my years with the company. By staying visible, accessible and committed, we were able to build confidence throughout the transition.”
While keeping the lines of communication open helped customers and employees feel better about the deal, there were some unknowns.
“The most difficult part of the transition was understanding exactly what would happen during the first 90 to 120 days,” he says. “That includes changes in staffing, leadership, corporate processes and any new policies or practices introduced by the acquiring company.”
Hoffman reiterates that partnering with Arrow Exterminators was the right move: “Change is difficult for everyone, but standing still can be even more challenging in the long run.”
Twenty-five years ago, the Exacticide was created with one goal in mind: to give pest management professionals (PMPs) a better way to apply dust with precision, efficiency and confidence.
Since then, tens of thousands of technicians have trusted the Exacticide in the field, using it to tackle pest control applications where accuracy, reach and control matter most. For 25 years, Technicide has continued to improve and refine the tools PMPs rely on every day.
The Exacticide helped establish a new approach to professional dust application, providing technicians with a powered, controlled alternative to traditional dusters. Its versatility allows it to be used across a wide range of pest control applications and paired with accessories designed to reach difficult areas, cracks, crevices, voids and elevated locations.
Today, the Exacticide Lithium Ion represents the latest evolution of that technology. Combining the proven foundation of the original Exacticide with modern lithium-ion power, improved ergonomics, narrower wand tips and extended runtime, it delivers the precision and flexibility professionals expect from a modern electronic power duster.
Designed for the realities of professional pest management, the Exacticide gives technicians a compact, battery-powered solution that can be configured for a variety of applications without sacrificing control or performance.
But 25 years isn’t just about the equipment. It’s about the PMPs who have trusted the Exacticide throughout its history. Their feedback, experience and continued support have helped shape every generation of the tool.
About Technicide
Technicide, founded in 1989 by third-generation pest management professional Jim Harper, has been helping PMPs take control of their work with smarter tools for more than 35 years. Born from hands-on experience and driven by innovation, Technicide products are crafted to save time, reduce labor, and improve results in the field — all proudly manufactured in Heber City, Utah.
From the original Injecticide to the Exacticide, to the Tech-Reach Bait Pro, Techni-Baiter and more, its tools are built to empower the PMPs who protect our communities from pests every day
Every pest control company will change ownership at some point. No one lives forever, after all. Perhaps a family member or a trusted employee will take the reins. Or maybe another pest control company will buy it.
No matter how it happens, there will come a time when every owner of a pest control company must decide what’s best for them, their employees and their customers.
Selling to another pest control company certainly has its benefits. An established company already knows how to market pest control services; is familiar with pest control solutions, equipment and services; and has protocols in place for employee advancement.
When Pest Management Professional (PMP) surveyed readers this year to get their take on the question “Every business is for sale; the only real question is, for how much?” 67 percent of those asked found the statement to be true. When asked 10 years ago, 75 percent agreed.
You don’t have to be the owner of a pest control company to experience the impact of a merger or acquisition. Pest management professionals and customer service representatives feel the effects the moment the deal is announced.
That’s why it is crucial that company owners opting to sell their businesses ask buyers pertinent questions and gain a solid understanding of what’s in store for employees and customers after the deal closes.
An in-person visit to the buyer’s company may reveal plenty about employee satisfaction, company culture and advancement opportunities. Buyers who truly care about their employees, particularly if they consider them “like family,” will want to see for themselves what may be in store for those who stay with the company.
That includes the seller, as well. Many company owners are willing to sell but not yet ready to retire. If that’s their plan, how long will the buyer expect them to stay? What new role will they take on? Can they continue their company’s community service initiatives?
While every pest control owner may have a price, money is just one of many factors to consider when it’s time to sell.
from Pest Management Professional https://www.mypmp.net/2026-merger-guide-what-pest-control-owners-should-ask-before-selling-their-business/ Sacramento CA
