Press Release

Eleven Companies Recognized for Outstanding IPM Partnerships

6/18/2008

ATLANTA, June 18, 2008 – Eleven companies demonstrating exceptional commitment to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) partnerships were recognized today as finalists of the 2008 Gold Medal IPM Partner Awards by Orkin, The IPM Institute of North America and NSF Cook & Thurber.

The awards program honors facilities for their dedication to IPM, an environmentally conscious approach that relies on non-chemical treatment methods to minimize pesticide use. The awards jury chose the finalists from an elite group of nominees that employ Orkin Canada’s most rigorous IPM service offering, Gold Medal Protection, which emphasizes quality assurance and pest control documentation for audit success. This year’s Canadian finalists demonstrate their commitment to IPM and to their partnership with Orkin through:

  • vigilant sanitation,
  • regular and accurate documentation,
  • prompt adherence to structural recommendations, and
  • staff participation in IPM training sessions.

“IPM isn’t a one-time event,“ said Orkin Director of Quality Systems Zia Siddiqi, Ph.D. “It’s a 24-7 effort to prevent and manage pests proactively. These finalists all go above and beyond in their efforts to maintain their IPM programs, even when their pest management professional isn’t on site.“

The 2008 Gold Medal IPM Partner Award finalists are:

  • H. J. Heinz (Leamington, Ontario) – Established in 1909, Heinz Leamington is a leading processor of high-quality ketchup and condiments, infant foods, sauces, and canned beans and pasta.
  • Weston Bakeries Ltd. (Mount Pearl, Newfoundland) – Producer of some of Canada’s favorite baked-good brands, including Wonder, Country Harvest and D’Italiano.
  • Danone, Inc. (Boucherville, Quebec) – Global leader in cultured dairy products, including yogurt, fresh cheese and drinkable yogurt.
  • Ganong Bros., Limited (St. Stephen, New Brunswick) – Ganong was founded in 1873 and is a manufacturer of chocolates, sugar confections and fruit snacks for Canada, the United States and international markets.
  • Larsen Packers (Berwick, Nova Scotia) – A category leader in Atlantic Canada, Larsen Packers is a primary pork processor and producer of value-added meat products.
  • Maidstone Bakeries (Brantford, Ontario) – A world-class, state-of-the-art manufacturing facility for bakery goods.
  • Agra West Foods (Souris, Price Edward Island) – Manufacturer of dehydrated potato granules.
  • Red Zoo Marketing (Ruthven, Ontario) – Distributors of premium quality greenhouse-grown vegetables across North America.
  • Ball Packaging Products (Richmond, British Columbia) – Leading supplier of rigid metal packaging products and services, primarily to the food industry.
  • Ocean Fisheries Ltd. (Richmond, British Columbia) – Leading producer of top quality fresh, frozen and canned seafood products sold under the Ocean’s brand name.
  • Power Packaging (Mississauga, ON) – Leading provider of innovative and customized manufacturing and packaging solutions for many of the world’s most well-known consumer packaged goods companies.

“Ongoing IPM is a must-have to uphold food safety and quality in sensitive food processing environments,“ explained Thomas Green, Ph.D., President of The IPM Institute of North America, Inc. “These finalists commit to their IPM partnerships and see great outcomes as a result.“

In addition to managing pests effectively and protecting food safety, IPM programs can contribute to positive audit performances also.

“True IPM partnerships focus on sanitation, facility maintenance and detailed documentation, all of which help protect food safety,“ said Jim Bail, Assistant Director, Food Processor Programs at NSF Cook & Thurber. “The Awards finalists take these efforts seriously, which auditors will notice.“

Judges for the 2008 Gold Medal IPM Partner Awards include:

  • Jim Bail, Assistant Director Food Processor Programs, NSF Cook & Thurber
  • Austin Frishman, Ph.D., B.C.E., Founder and President of AMF Pest Management Services, Inc.
  • Thomas A. Green, Ph.D., President of The IPM Institute of North America, Inc.
  • Frank Meek, B.C.E., Technical Director, Orkin, Inc.
  • Zia Siddiqi, Ph.D., B.C.E., Director of Quality Systems, Orkin, Inc.

Award winners will be announced in the fall, and award presentations will be conducted on-site at the winning facilities. A case study of each winner will be posted at www.orkincanada.com.

About Orkin

Founded in 1901, Atlanta-based Orkin, Inc. is an industry leader in essential pest control services and protection against termite damage, rodents and insects in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Middle East. With more than 400 locations, Orkin’s almost 8,000 employees serve approximately 1.7 million customers. The company serves homeowners and numerous industries including food and beverage processing, foodservice, hospitality, healthcare, retail, warehousing, property/facilities management, schools and institutions. Orkin is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rollins, Inc. (NYSE: ROL). Learn more about Orkin Canada by visiting www.orkincanada.com.

About The IPM Institute of North America

The IPM Institute of North America, Inc. is an independent non-profit organization formed in 1998 to foster recognition and rewards in the marketplace for goods and service providers who practice IPM. The Institute’s mission is to accelerate adoption of IPM in agriculture and communities through consumer education and development of IPM standards for self-evaluation and IPM certification. The Institute is funded by grants from government, private foundations and industry, memberships and fees for services and programs. Learn more at www.ipminstitute.org.

About NSF Cook & Thurber NSF Cook & Thurber is a division of NSF International, an independent, not-for-profit organization, that helps protect you by certifying products and writing standards for food, water and consumer goods (www.nsf.org). Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting public health and safety worldwide. NSF is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Food and Water Safety and Indoor Environment. Additional services include safety audits for the food and water industries, management systems registrations delivered through NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd., organic certification provided by Quality Assurance International and education through the NSF Center for Public Health Education.