Articles

Canada’s Best Receive 2009 Gold Medal IPM Partner Awards

12/3/2009

Winners Take Integrated Pest Management Top Honors

 MISSISSAUGA, ON December 1, 2009 – Four Canadian companies were named 2009 Gold Medal IPM Partner Award winners by Orkin, Inc., The IPM Institute of North America, and NSF Cook & Thurber for their outstanding commitment to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) partnerships.

 IPM, an environmentally friendly pest management approach, emphasizes multiple methods of non-chemical pest control and prevention.  These four winners in the food processing industry utilize Orkin’s Gold Medal Protection, a comprehensive IPM service offering that focuses on vigilant sanitation, prompt adherence to structural pest management recommendations, diligent record-keeping and staff participation in IPM training sessions.

 “An effective IPM program centers on a strong partnership between a facility and its pest management provider,” said Orkin PCO Services’ Director of Quality Assurance Bill Melville.  “This year’s winners exemplify what it takes to achieve IPM success.  We commend them for going the extra mile to realize their pest management goals.”

 The 2009 Gold Medal IPM Partner Award winners are: 

  • Barry Callebaut Canada, Inc. (Saint-Hyacinthe, Quebec) – The world’s leading manufacturer of high-quality cocoa and chocolate. 
  • Danone, Inc. (Boucherville, Quebec) – Global leader in cultured dairy products as well as leader in Canada.
  • H. J. Heinz Company (Leamington, Ontario) – A leading processor of high-quality ketchup and condiments, infant foods, pasta sauces, canned beans and pasta, specialty sauces, and salad dressings through all retail and foodservice channels.
  • Maple Leaf (Parma) (Laval, Quebec) – A leading consumer packaged food company.

 Now in its fifth year in Canada, the Gold Medal IPM Partner Awards began as an effort by Orkin and The IPM Institute of North America to encourage the use of IPM and other environmentally friendly pest management practices. 

 “Our 2009 Award winners are the cream of the crop,” said Dr. Thomas Green, president of The IPM Institute of North America.  “We’re thrilled to recognize these top facilities for their excellence in the preventive maintenance and sanitation practices that define a true IPM program.”

 As a co-presenter, NSF Cook & Thurber brings to the program its food safety auditing expertise. 

 “IPM programs are absolutely critical to food safety and quality assurance, especially for the food processing industry,” said Jim Bail, director of technical services, NSF International.  “With pest control being a significant portion of food processors’ third-party audits, facilities must take active measures to ensure their pest management programs are top notch.  This year’s Award winners set a great example for other facilities as they prepare for their next audits.”

 About the Awards Jury

  • Jim Bail, Director of Technical Services, NSF International
  • Austin Frishman, Ph.D., B.C.E., Founder and President of AMF Pest Management Services, Inc.
  • Dawn H. Gouge, Ph.D., Associate Professor and Associate Specialist - Community IPM, University of Arizona
  • Thomas A. Green, Ph.D., President, The IPM Institute of North America, Inc.
  • Ron Harrison, Ph.D., Director of Technical Services, Orkin, Inc.
  • Frank Meek, B.C.E., Technical Director, Orkin, Inc.
  • Bill Melville, Director of Quality Assurance, Orkin PCO Services
  • Zia Siddiqi, Ph.D., B.C.E., Director of Quality Systems, Orkin, Inc. 

 About Orkin

Founded in 1901, Atlanta-based Orkin, Inc. is an industry leader in essential pest control services and protection against termite damage, rodents and insects in the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America and the Middle East.  With more than 400 locations, Orkin’s almost 8,000 employees serve approximately 1.7 million customers.  The company serves homeowners and numerous industries including food and beverage processing, foodservice, hospitality, healthcare, retail, warehousing, property/facilities management, schools and institutions.  Learn more about Orkin PCO Services by visiting www.orkincanada.com.  Orkin is a wholly owned subsidiary of Rollins, Inc. (NYSE: ROL).

 About The IPM Institute of North America

The IPM Institute of North America, Inc. is an independent non-profit organization formed in 1998 to foster recognition and rewards in the marketplace for goods and service providers who practice IPM.  The Institute’s mission is to accelerate adoption of IPM in agriculture and communities through consumer education and development of IPM standards for self-evaluation and IPM certification.  The Institute is funded by grants from government, private foundations and industry, memberships and fees for services and programs.  Learn more at www.ipminstitute.org.        

 About NSF Cook & Thurber

NSF Cook & Thurber is a division of NSF International, an independent, not-for-profit organization, that helps protect you by certifying products and writing standards for food, water and consumer goods (www.nsf.org).  Founded in 1944, NSF is committed to protecting public health and safety worldwide.  NSF is a World Health Organization Collaborating Centre for Food and Water Safety and Indoor Environment.  Additional services include safety audits for the food and water industries, management systems registrations delivered through NSF International Strategic Registrations, Ltd., organic certification provided by Quality Assurance International and education through the NSF Center for Public Health Education.