2008 Gold Medal IPM Partner Award Finalists Announced

ATLANTA — Nine companies demonstrating exceptional commitment to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) partnerships have been recognized as finalists of the 2008 Gold Medal IPM Partner Awards by Orkin Commercial Services, The IPM Institute of North America and NSF Cook & Thurber.

The fifth annual awards program honors facilities for their dedication to IPM, an approach that relies on non-chemical treatment methods to minimize pesticide use.

The awards jury chose the finalists from an elite group of 45 nominees that employ Orkin’s most rigorous IPM service offering, Gold Medal Protection, which emphasizes quality assurance and pest control documentation for audit success. This year’s finalists demonstrate their commitment to IPM and to their partnership with Orkin through:

• vigilant sanitation,
• regular and accurate documentation,
• prompt adherence to structural recommendations and
• staff participation in IPM training sessions.  

“IPM isn’t a one-time event,” said Orkin Director of Quality Systems Zia Siddiqi. “It’s a 24/7 effort to prevent and manage pests proactively. These finalists all go above and beyond in their efforts to maintain their IPM programs, even when their pest management professional isn’t on site.”

The 2008 Gold Medal IPM Partner Award finalists are:

• Maines Paper & Food Service, Inc. (Conklin, N.Y.) — The nation’s second largest independent systems foodservice distributor.
• PGI Nonwoven (Mooresville, N.C.) — Manufacturer of nonwoven fabrics.
• HQC Incorporated (Oswego, Ill.) — Manufacturer of custom injection molded closures, fitments and containers for food, beverage, dairy, pharmaceutical and medical markets.
• Ample Industries (Franklin, Ohio) — Manufacturer of nested paperboard cartons for the foodservice industry.
• Burrows Paper Corporation (Franklin, Ohio) — Fully integrated paper company offering a wide variety of superior lightweight specialty paper products for the foodservice industry.
• Endangered Species Chocolate (Indianapolis) — Creates all-natural and organic chocolate bars donating a portion of profits to help support species, habitat and humanity.
• Farbest Brands (Plain City, Ohio) — Custom manufacturer of liquid and dry products and distributor of specialty food ingredients.
• Rexam Closures and Containers (Evansville, Ind.) — Manufacturer of plastic closures and packaging components for the personal care, food and beverage, health, and home markets.
• Patterson Dental Supply (Blythewood, S.C.) — Distributor of consumable dental products and clinical and laboratory equipment. 

“Ongoing IPM is a must-have to uphold food safety and quality in sensitive food processing environments,” said Thomas Green, president of The IPM Institute of North America. “These finalists are truly committed to their IPM partnerships and see great outcomes as a result.”

In addition to managing pests effectively and protecting food safety, IPM programs can contribute to positive audit performances also.

“True IPM partnerships focus on sanitation, facility maintenance and detailed documentation, all of which help improve food safety efforts,” said Jim Bail, assistant director, food processor programs at NSF Cook & Thurber. “The Award finalists take these tasks very seriously, which auditors will notice.”

Judges for the 2008 Gold Medal IPM Partner Awards include:

• Jim Bail, Assistant Director Food Processor Programs, NSF Cook & Thurber
• Austin Frishman, Ph.D., B.C.E., Founder and President of AMF Pest Management Services
• Thomas A. Green, Ph.D., President of The IPM Institute of North America, Inc.
• Frank Meek, B.C.E., Technical Director, Orkin
  Zia Siddiqi, Ph.D., B.C.E., Director of Quality Systems, Orkin

Award winners will be announced in the fall, and award presentations will be conducted on-site at the winning facilities. A case study of each winner will be posted at www.orkincommercial.com.