Terminix
Encyclopedia
Terminix International Company, L.P. is the largest pest control company in the world, operating in 45 states in the United States and 14 countries around the world. It is a unit of ServiceMaster
.
, wanted to find a way to protect the hardwood floors they manufactured from damage by termites. He founded the Bruce Terminix Research Laboratory. In 1932, senior chemist Frank Lyons created the first termiticide, an insecticide
specifically designed to kill termites. The company began to franchise under the name Bruce Terminix. In 1955, Terminix was the first company to offer a termite protection contract, with annual inspections and a guarantee. In 1957, franchisees began offering residential and commercial pest control services.
In 1968, the E. L. Bruce Company, including Bruce Terminix, was sold to Cook Industries. The company began looking to expand their business both in and outside of the United States, and purchased a pest control company in Mexico and began partnering with Sears, Roebuck and Company
to offer pest control services under the Sears Termite and Pest Control name. In 1972, the company changed their name to Terminix International to highlight their expanded operations.
ServiceMaster purchased Terminix from Cook Industries in 1986. They continued to acquire pest control companies, including former franchisees, to become the largest pest control company in the world by 1990. In 2001, Terminix purchased its former partner, Sears Termite and Pest Control. In 2007, ServiceMaster moved their main offices from Downers Grove, Illinois
to the site of Terminix's headquarters in Memphis.
and Eric Wareheim
claimed at Comic-Con
that they had partnered with Terminix for an upcoming release of their movie "Blues Brothers 2012". In this film; the Blues Brothers would take the roles of exterminators for Terminix.
ServiceMaster
ServiceMaster is a privately held Fortune 500 company that provides various services to residences and firms. Its headquarters are located in Memphis, Tennessee after moving there from Downers Grove, Illinois in early 2007. Brands operated by ServiceMaster include: TruGreen, Terminix, American...
.
History
In 1927, E. L. Bruce, owner of the E. L. Bruce Company in Memphis, TennesseeTennessee
Tennessee is a U.S. state located in the Southeastern United States. It has a population of 6,346,105, making it the nation's 17th-largest state by population, and covers , making it the 36th-largest by total land area...
, wanted to find a way to protect the hardwood floors they manufactured from damage by termites. He founded the Bruce Terminix Research Laboratory. In 1932, senior chemist Frank Lyons created the first termiticide, an insecticide
Insecticide
An insecticide is a pesticide used against insects. They include ovicides and larvicides used against the eggs and larvae of insects respectively. Insecticides are used in agriculture, medicine, industry and the household. The use of insecticides is believed to be one of the major factors behind...
specifically designed to kill termites. The company began to franchise under the name Bruce Terminix. In 1955, Terminix was the first company to offer a termite protection contract, with annual inspections and a guarantee. In 1957, franchisees began offering residential and commercial pest control services.
In 1968, the E. L. Bruce Company, including Bruce Terminix, was sold to Cook Industries. The company began looking to expand their business both in and outside of the United States, and purchased a pest control company in Mexico and began partnering with Sears, Roebuck and Company
Sears, Roebuck and Company
Sears, officially named Sears, Roebuck and Co., is an American chain of department stores which was founded by Richard Warren Sears and Alvah Curtis Roebuck in the late 19th century...
to offer pest control services under the Sears Termite and Pest Control name. In 1972, the company changed their name to Terminix International to highlight their expanded operations.
ServiceMaster purchased Terminix from Cook Industries in 1986. They continued to acquire pest control companies, including former franchisees, to become the largest pest control company in the world by 1990. In 2001, Terminix purchased its former partner, Sears Termite and Pest Control. In 2007, ServiceMaster moved their main offices from Downers Grove, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
to the site of Terminix's headquarters in Memphis.
Termite Inspectors' Lawsuit Seeking Overtime Pay
On May 31, 2008, Termite inspectors in California sued ServiceMaster and its Terminix Unit for failure to pay overtime, allow the opportunity for lunch and rest breaks,and for failure to reimburse vehicle and other work-required expenses. The case challenged the company's classification of termite inspectors as "outside sales persons." Federal and state labor laws exempt employers from the duty to pay overtime and minimum wages to "outside sales" employees. The company characterized termite inspections as "sales activities" and contended its termite inspectors were, therefore, properly classified as sales persons.< On June 20, 2011, the U.S. District Court held that termite inspections are not sales activities. Although the case was filed as a class action, following the April 27, 2007 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that the Federal Arbitration Act bars class actions in arbitration, the company asserted its arbitration rights and the class action was denied; individual claims allowed. Denial of a class action lifts a stay of the statute of limitations and thereafter requires claimants to file within the applicable time limits or forfeit the right to sue for back pay.In popular culture
In 2010, Tim HeideckerTim Heidecker
Tim Heidecker is an American actor, comedian, musician, writer and director. He is one half of the comedy team of Tim and Eric...
and Eric Wareheim
Eric Wareheim
Eric Wareheim is an American actor, comedian, writer and director. He is one half of the comedy team of Tim and Eric. Wareheim, along with Tim Heidecker, created the television shows Tom Goes to the Mayor, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job! and Check It Out! with Dr...
claimed at Comic-Con
Comic-Con
Comic-Con, Comic Con or ComiCon may refer to any of the following Comic book conventions, none of them affiliated to any other:*San Diego Comic-Con International, annual fan convention in San Diego held since 1970, also known as Comic-Con or San Diego Comic-Con*Dallas Comic Con, annual fan...
that they had partnered with Terminix for an upcoming release of their movie "Blues Brothers 2012". In this film; the Blues Brothers would take the roles of exterminators for Terminix.
External links
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