TruGreen Interior Plantcare Division Sold To Rentokil

According to a release by ServiceMaster, the sale represents the company’s continued focus on the growth and investment in its core businesses, including lawn care and landscaping (TruGreen ChemLawn and TruGreen LandCare brand names), termite and pest control, plumbing, heating and air conditioning maintenance and repair, appliance maintenance and repair, cleaning, plant maintenance and supportive management.

A Rentokil press release states that Interior Plantcare had 1999 revenues of $42 million and operates branches in 24 cities in the U.S. Commenting on Rentokil's acquisition, Jeff Mariola, president of Rentokil Tropical Services USA, said, "Besides strengthening our position in the bolt-on markets, the acquisition provides the strategic benefits of taking us into 15 new cities, which offer additional future opportunities for our people, organic growth and other bolt-on acquisitions."

The TruGreen web site lists the following interior plantscaping services that are offered by its Interior Plantcare division:

• plant leasing and maintenance
• plant sales and installation
• design and consultation
• replica and preserved plants
• short-term rentals for special events
• holiday programs
• blooming plant programs

TruGreen will retain the corporate and regional management employees of the Interior Plantcare operations to support its lawn care and landscape operations. All other employees will be offered employment by Rentokil, according to the company.

The sale is not expected to materially affect ServiceMaster’s operating results for the year.

For more information visit TruGreen’s web site at www.trugreen.com.