News
LDC-backed Pelsis Group acquires California-based leading manufacturer of humane bird deterrents Bird-B-Gone
6 May 2021
LDC-backed global pest control specialist Pelsis Group has acquired a California-based leading manufacturer of humane bird deterrents as part of its international growth strategy.
Bird-B-Gone has become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Knaresborough, North Yorkshire, headquartered company, with all its employees, customers and suppliers transferring to Pelsis Group.
Founded in 1992 by Bruce and Julie Donoho, California-based Bird-B-Gone specialises in manufacturing humane bird deterrents for use across commercial, industrial and residential settings. The company also provides bird control training through its Bird-B-Gone University.
Bird-B-Gone will remain headquartered at its manufacturing facility in Santa Ana, California. Todd Pawlowski, general manager for Pelsis Group in America, will lead the business supported by chief operating officer David Smith. All values relating to the transaction are undisclosed.
Andrew Milner, Pelsis Group chief executive, said: “Bringing Bird-B-Gone into the Pelsis family of brands fits within our strategy of adding companies that are leaders in their category, and it brings two of the biggest brands in the pest and bird control categories together under one roof.
“The acquisition of Bird-B-Gone will allow us to equip pest control operators with additional products and solutions backed by our mutual commitment to purposeful innovation, investment, and customer service.”
Leading UK mid-market private equity firm LDC invested in Pelsis in 2017 as part of a multi-million-pound transaction to support the business to accelerate its global acquisitive growth strategy.
Pelsis already own the well-regarded Network brand of professional bird control products. The addition of Bird-B-Gone is expected to further strengthen its dominance of the bird control category, with both brands enjoying synergies as a result of the acquisition.
The transaction follows Pelsis Group’s acquisition of France’s top pest control supplier, Edialux France, in February this year. LDC also supported the business to acquire US-based Curtis Gilmour in 2018. The latest transaction sees Bird-B-Gone join the group’s portfolio of pest control brands, which also includes B&G Equipment and Curtis Dyna-Fog.
The acquisition of Bird-B-Gone represents another significant step in Pelsis Group’s growth strategy to become a leading international pest control specialist. We are continuing to work closely with Andrew and his team at Pelsis to help identify and acquire additional complementary businesses across the globe.”
Established in 1984, Pelsis Group owns a portfolio of professional and consumer brands with a global customer base including Rentokil, Ecolab, Screwfix and Amazon.