US-based Rollins Inc, best known by its subsidiary pest control brand of Orkin, has made another major UK acquisition purchasing The Guardian Group; the business built by the National Pest Technicians Associations (NPTA) chairman, Adam Hawley.
The deal was concluded on Wednedsay 25 April. The purchase includes all three parts of the Guardian Group, which has its head office in Aubourn near Lincoln: Guardian Pest Control Services, Guardian Cleaning Services and Guardian Hygiene Services. It follows on from the purchase in February this year of the Birmingham-based AMES Group and Hampshire-based Kestrel Pest Control.
In July 2016 Rollins acquired its first UK pest control business, Safeguard Pest Control.
Steve Leavitt, President of Rollins Emerging Opportunities Group commented: “We are very excited to add Guardian to our family. The depth of talent that has been developed under Adam Hawley attracted us to pursue this opportunity. We are confident that the team at Guardian will complement and enhance our growing team in the pest control industry.”
 Buying, Rollins’ Steve Leavitt |
 Selling, Guardian’s Adam Hawley |
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Guardian was set up in 2002 by Adam Hawley and has grown into a substantial business with a turnover of around £2million at the time of the sale. Operations cover pretty much the whole of the UK with a full time staff of 24 and a number of sub-contractors to extend the geographic coverage.
The business will continue to trade under the Guardian name and, whilst Adam Hawley has left the business, the other three directors and all the employees will remain in post.
Pest caught up with Adam who explained that he felt the time was right to sell but that he will still be involved in a consultancy role and, of course, he continues as chairman of NPTA. Adam commented: “It’s exciting times for the team at Guardian with new opportunities and investment to come. Rollins has a good reputation for ‘doing things right’ and that was a big factor for me in choosing to sell to them.”