Pest management in the right perspective

MANILA, Philippines - With the global call for the latest pest management solutions delivered in a cost-effective, more professional manner and with the least impact on humans and the environment, the local pest control industries in Asia and the Pacific are working together on a collaborative strategy to benefit every stakeholder — pest control operators, suppliers, customers, and ultimately, the planet.

Global chemical company BASF was one of the active collaborators who joined this campaign, launched at the recent 22nd FAOPMA Annual Conference and Exhibit at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

FAOPMA, which stands for Federation of Asian and Oceania Pest Managers Associations, is an affiliation of pest control stakeholders in Asia and the Pacific. The organization was hosted in the Philippines for the second time by local affiliate, the Pest Exterminators Association of the Philippines.

This year’s convention theme was “Think P.E.S.T. (People, Environment, Service, Technology), Let’s talk about... Pest Management in the Right Perspective.” The event was attended by hundreds of outstanding local and overseas pest control enterprises and pest control professionals. The accompanying exhibition featured booths covering pest control companies, application equipment, disinfection products, termite control supplies and more.

BASF’s Pest Control Solutions business also exhibited its wide selection of pest control products, including liquid termiticides Stedfast or Ceptiva, Siege cockroach gel, Interceptor(r) long-lasting insecticidal nets, and Storm(r) rodenticide. These products are both highly effective and cost-efficient and enjoy a high popularity rating among pest control operators and customers in the local market today. BASF products are exclusively distributed in the Philippines by Upgreen Corp.

Ansgar Wille, global head of Pest Control Solutions, said his business unit was founded a year ago specifically to provide solutions to the pest control industry; to help pest control operators in urban areas, farmers in rural areas, and the public health segment.

“Previously, our pest control products were managed alongside crop protection products at BASF. After the formulation of an integration strategy and review process including the acquisition of dedicated pest control businesses at the end of 2008, Pest Control Solutions was established as a dedicated global business unit. It was formed to focus on pest control operations that deal with structures, homes, hospitals, industries, restaurants, hotels, or farms, barns, farm buildings, grain storage, and livestock protection,” Wille explained.

He added that the growth of the pest control industry worldwide necessitated a strategic focus on this segment, hence the formation of the Pest Control Solutions business unit.

“Today, we see this as a market that offers a lot of opportunities and we are confident that our strategy and business approach will deliver innovative solutions for the pest control operators. Driven by an increasing population and urbanization, the global pest control market is already strong, and it is outgrowing several other markets, especially in the developing regions in Asia-Pacific and Latin America,” he said.

With BASF’s regional headquarters and business management for Pest Control Solutions located in Singapore, BASF is now oriented towards providing even better services for the Asia-Pacific region, including the Philippines and its growing market.

Wille mentioned that along the latest technology applications for pest management, BASF also brings its recognized leadership in sustainability and environmental awareness to the region.

“There is now a movement towards offering IPM - Integrated Pest Management. The pest control industry needs to define a strategy to find the most appropriate way of controlling pest with the least exposure to humans, the least use of chemicals and the highest possible effectiveness. Only with a combination of all these factors, can you effectively and sustainably achieve integrated pest management. This means finding a range of solutions and using them in a way that you really hit your target. These value propositions are what BASF is all about,” he added.

For inquiries, visit www.pestcontrol.basf.com/asean or call its exclusive Philippine distributor Upgreen Corp. at 850-0276 or 659-3198.