The Aust Group – 2024

Plainville, CT – The Aust Group is pleased to announce the acquisition of our client, Guardian Pest Control LLC (“Guardian”) to Modern Pest Services, an Anticimex Company.

Founded in 1997 by Fred Markowich, Guardian Pest Control LLC is a full-service pest and termite control business serving residential and commercial clients throughout central Connecticut. Based in Plainville, CT, Guardian has built its reputation on delivering safe, fast, and effective pest management solutions. Over nearly three decades, Fred has expanded the company to a team of approximately 20 professionals, with primary operations focused in Hartford County. Guardian is an active member of both National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and Connecticut Pest Control Association (CTPCA).

Fred Markowich, owner of Guardian Pest Control LLC, said, “When it came time to sell my business, I contacted Stuart Aust of The Aust Group to be my agent for this process. The first thing I learned is this is not something I could not have done on my own. Sure, I’ve been in business for 28 years but the in-depth research and data collecting they did on Guardian, just to put together a formal presentation to share with potential buyers, was monumental. But it’s not just the presentation where The Aust Group excelled, it’s also the relationship they have with the potential buyers. It was obvious to me when we met with the buyers, that they trust The Aust Group to bring a quality company to the table. During meetings, Stuart’s son’s – Dan, Nick & Chris, along with Jake – would be by my side when the buyers would be asking questions about my business, and if I didn’t have the answer, they did. At times it felt like they knew my business better than I did. So, if you’re thinking of selling your business, I would choose The Aust Group. These guys were owners of a pest control company prior to being The Aust Group, which gives them an understanding of what you’ll be going through, and that is invaluable.”

Stuart Aust, Principal of The Aust Group said, “On behalf of The Aust Group team, it was truly a pleasure to represent Fred and his business. Over the last few decades, Fred has built an incredible company, and it was an honor for our team to be a part of the process of selling his business. We are excited for Fred and his team, and the Modern team, and look forward to the future growth this acquisition will bring.”

The Aust Group represented Guardian Pest Control LLC on the transaction. The transaction closed on December 11^th, 2024, and the terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Clermont, Florida – The Aust Group is pleased to announce the acquisition of our client, Venom Pest Control “Venom”, to Turner Pest Control “Turner”, an Anticimex company.

Venom Pest Control, headquartered in Clermont, FL, is a full-service pest and termite control business that has been serving residential and commercial clients in the Central Florida market since 2013. Founded by husband-and-wife team David and Liz Lessing, Venom provides clients with fair, honest, and 5-star pest solutions. Their commitment to excellence is reflected in over 2,500 positive online reviews from satisfied customers. Venom is members of both the Florida Pest Management Association (FPMA) and National Wildlife Control Operators Association (NWCOA).

David and Liz Lessing, owners of Venom, said, “The Aust Group’s profound understanding and proficiency in the pest control industry, stemming from past business ownership experiences, set them apart as unparalleled experts in the field. The insights and knowledge they brought to the table were instrumental in guiding us through the complexities of the sale process with precision and clarity. We deeply appreciated the high level of trustworthiness and strong moral principles exhibited by their team. Their transparent communication, ethical conduct, and steadfast commitment to our best interests epitomized the values of a truly trustworthy and dependable brokerage firm. The strategic approach to marketing our business, coupled with their well-established connections in the industry, maximized exposure and attracted the right pool of potential buyers. Their expertise, trustworthiness, and organizational proficiency have truly exceeded our expectations, and we are grateful for the positive outcome achieved under their guidance. We would not hesitate to recommend The Aust Group to others seeking a top-tier brokerage experience.”

Stuart Aust, Principal of The Aust Group said, “We are truly excited for David and Liz on the sale of their business to Turner Pest Control. It was an honor representing the Lessing’s, getting to know them, and learning about the business they’ve built over the last decade. We look forward to the future growth this acquisition brings to the Turner team for years to come.”

The Aust Group represented Venom Pest Control on the transaction. The transaction closed on June 24^th, 2024, and the terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The Law Offices of Mark H. Ruff, P.A. represented Venom Pest Control as legal counsel.

Kenmore, Washington – The Aust Group is pleased to announce the acquisition of our client, United Pest Solutions, Inc. “United”, to PestCo Holdings, LLC “PestCo”, a Thompson Street Capital Partners portfolio company. 

United Pest Solutions, Inc., headquartered in Kenmore, WA, is a full-service pest control company that has been serving residential and commercial clients in the Seattle area for over 60 years. The business was founded in 1960 by Marv Bergmann, and a few years later, his son Sean joined after graduating from the University of Washington. In 2001, Sean took ownership of United Pest Solutions along with his wife, Linette. They operate with a mission to foster community through service with integrity and expertise. Under Sean and Linette’s leadership, United has become a leading pest control provider in Seattle. The company holds QualityPro, GreenPro, and QualityPro Schools certifications and is a member of both the National Pest Management Association (NPMA) and the Washington State Pest Management Association (WSPMA). Sean has served on the Board of Directors for NPMA and as President of WSPMA. 

Sean & Linette Bergmann, owners of United, said, “Our experience working with The Aust Group was invaluable. From the beginning in building the presentation and preparing us for the management meetings with the potential purchasers to the very end in assisting with the due diligence process they were a huge asset. Each member of The Aust Group was professional, helpful, available, and thorough throughout the process. We are grateful beyond words for their timely assistance in matching us with PestCo, who fit our hopes and needs to have a successful handoff. It’s a good thing we called The Aust Group as offers exceeded our expectations by utilizing their services after we originally attempted to sell the company on our own. The Aust Group was very active in assisting with the timeline and helping the experience go as smoothly as we could have wished for. If you’re thinking of selling your business, The Aust Group is your team and will do an amazing job for you. We truly can’t recommend them more highly!” 

Stuart Aust, Principal of The Aust Group said, “Having known Sean and Linette through the industry for many years, I have always admired the impressive business they’ve built and have greatly valued our friendship. Representing them in this process was a privilege, and learning even more about their business was an incredible experience for The Aust Group team. We are excited about the future opportunities this acquisition will bring to the PestCo team and couldn’t be happier with the outcome for Sean and Linette.” 

The Aust Group represented United Pest Solutions, Inc. on the transaction. The transaction closed on July 16^th, 2024, and the terms of the transaction were not disclosed.  

The Law Offices of Mark H. Ruff, P.A. represented United Pest Solutions, Inc. as legal counsel.

Scottsdale, Arizona – The Aust Group is pleased to announce the partnership of our client, CimeX Control LLC “Cimex”, with ACTION Termite & Pest Control “ACTION”, a Shore Capital Partners portfolio company.

CimeX Control LLC, based out of Scottsdale, Arizona, is an innovative pest management business serving primarily commercial customers throughout the greater Phoenix metro. Formed in 2017 by Fernando and Ann Torres, Cimex has quickly developed into a leading pest control operation throughout the Phoenix market and has been recognized by Ranking Arizona as one of the top pest control businesses since 2019. The company is members of National Pest Management Association (NPMA), Arizona Pest Professionals Organization (AZPPO), Arizona Association of Community Managers (AACM), and the Institute of Real Estate Management (IREM), with the latter two playing a key role in expanding Cimex’s commercial clientele. As part of a recent acquisition, Fernando and the Cimex team have now joined ACTION, marking ACTION’s third acquisition since partnering with Shore Capital Partners.

Fernando Torres, Owner of Cimex, said, “From start to finish, the team at The Aust Group were rockstars. It was a good feeling to know that each member of The Aust Group had my back throughout the process, and we couldn’t be happier with the outcome. The Aust Group found a home for our business with individuals who align perfectly with my personality, values, and professional goals, while also offering growth opportunities and improved benefits for our entire team. If you’re considering selling your business, I strongly recommend hiring The Aust Group to help you achieve the best possible outcome for yourself, your family, and your staff. The Aust Group is truly amazing.”

Stuart Aust, Principal of The Aust Group said, “On behalf of The Aust Group, congratulations to Fernando, the Cimex team, and ACTION on a successful transaction. It was an honor to represent and get to know Fernando, and we couldn’t be happier for him as he joins the ACTION team.  It was a pleasure working with Brian Marks, Tim Sharky, and Brent Agee, who were consummate professionals throughout the entire process. We look forward to seeing Cimex and ACTION expand its presence in the pest control industry for years to come.”

The Aust Group represented CimeX Control LLC on the transaction. The transaction closed on June 28^th, 2024, and the terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

The Law Offices of Mark H. Ruff, P.A. represented CimeX Control LLC as legal counsel.