BASF pesticide products re-launched at PCO convention

MANILA, Philippines - Pest control operators situated south of Metro Manila and the Calabarzon area recently got together for a mini-convention and re-launch of multinational chemical company BASF’s pesticide products, co-organized by its exclusive local distributor Upgreen Corporation.

A total of 40 pest control operators (or “PCOs”) gathered at Max’s Restaurant at Alabang Town Center to discuss the merits of various chemical pesticides with Upgreen and BASF representatives, as well as with fellow PCOs. Over lunch, attendees watched a short presentation on the re-launched BASF products such as the insecticides Fendona and Abate, the termiticide Stedfast, and the rodenticide Storm. A new termiticide product, Ceptiva, was also talked about during the presentation.

After lunch, guests inquired about the existing BASF products in an open forum. Each was given several promotional packets of the powdered Fendona, and some won BASF gift items during the subsequent raffle.

BASF business manager Karina Herrera expressed elation over the success of the small but meaningful event.

 “I was told that only 20 PCOs would attend, but it became double that number,” she said. “There’s an increase in the number of pest control operators in the South, and it reflects the number of infrastructures that need treating, including houses and commercial and industrial areas.”

Herrera added that this significant increase of PCOs in the area also means that similar gatherings are needed to keep them informed of new chemicals, technology, and procedures.

“It’s planned as a quarterly event. We could also do trainings and workshops, and share product information updates. They need to know not only the smallest details of the product, but also how to handle situations like flooding, so they would know how to treat their clients’ problems.”

Elmer Baradas, president of Upgreen Corporation, discussed the role of Upgreen as its local distributor of BASF products.

Elmer Baradas, president of Upgreen Corporation, likewise stressed the significance of the get-together.

“We can see the acceptance of the products through the PCOs,” Baradas said. “PCOs in the area are interested in this kind of event. That’s when we got the idea of doing a quarterly gathering. If BASF and Upgreen did this quarterly, the PCOs would be updated on new products and sharing of ideas and tips. With this re-launch, we expect the operators to use BASF products more. They still check out other brands, but because of gatherings like this, other PCOs can persuade them that BASF products are superior to others. One of the guests was thinking of using another brand but was convinced of using one of the re-launched BASF products after a colleague told him about his positive experiences.”

He concluded that the event would ultimately prove beneficial to the pest control companies’ clients.

“The PCOs will benefit because when they use BASF products, they’ll profit more even if they don’t change prices for their clients. This will benefit the client in terms of considerable discounts, aside from effectiveness.”

Attendees expressed familiarity with the re-launched BASF products, and are looking forward to informative assemblies with fellow pest control operators in the future. Products included Stedfast (a breakthrough formulation designed to protect structures from termites), Abate 1SG (which controls the breeding of dengue or yellow fever-spreading mosquitoes), and Fendona (a high-performance residual insecticide that eliminates a variety of pests like mosquitoes, ants, cockroaches, houseflies, and flour beetles).

Jay Tolentino of Upgreen Corp. discusses cost-effective BASF products during the convention with PCOs.

To know more about the company and its wide range of products, visit www.asiapacific.basf.com. To know more about other highly effective, environment-friendly, and reasonably priced pesticides, call Upgreen Corporation, BASF Philippines Inc.’s appointed local distributor, at 659-3198, and 850-0276.