US-based Rollins Inc, best known for its subsidiary pest control brand, Orkin, has finalised the acquisition of Europest Environmental Services, which is based in Caerphilly, South Wales.
Europest Environmental Services was set up by Andrew Housley in 2001 and traded as the Eurogroup of companies consisting primarily of Europest, which offers a full range of pest control servicing activities. In 2005, Eurocare specialist washroom and hygiene services were added.
Formerly a Rentokil area director, Mr Housley established Europest with three further former Rentokil colleagues – Richard Edwards, Morgan Francis and Lee Davison.
Between the four of them, the business has grown into one of the largest independent companies in the area, employing 26 staff with clients extending from West and Mid Wales, through to South Wales and around the Bristol and Gloucester areas.
Mr Housley said: “We are very proud of all we have achieved and the business continues to grow, but being part of a larger group offers both the staff and the business greater opportunities.
“Europest has always been run very much as a family operation and the fact that Rollins also has that ‘family feel’ to it appealed to me too. The Europest name will continue, will keep its identity and will remain regional.”
Caspar Appeldoorn, managing director of Orkin International for Europe and the Middle East, added: “The acquisition of Europest extends our coverage into Wales and strengthens our footprint in the Avon and Gloucestershire area.
“Andrew and his team have established a first-class business and we are delighted to welcome them into the Safeguard/Orkin family of businesses. We have already identified areas of synergy where, as a partnership, we can further grow together. We are delighted Andrew will remain with the business as divisional director.”
This acquisition further expands the Orkin presence in the UK following the acquisition of NBC Environment in April 2022.