Thompson Street Capital Partners (TSCP), a private equity firm based in St. Louis, announced it has partnered with seasoned pest control industry executive Jay Keating to form an acquisition company, PestCo Holdings LLC, in order to consolidate the highly fragmented pest control industry. The partnership will focus on acquiring companies and assets as part of a strategy to build a market-leading pest control business.
“We are excited to partner with Jay as part of this new endeavor,” said TSCP Managing Director Jeff Aiello. “There is fierce competition for quality talent in the pest control industry, and after nearly a year of searching we are confident we found the right partner to help us consolidate this industry, drive organic growth and create a market-leading integrated platform.”
Keating brings 25 years of pest control industry expertise to the new platform, starting as a technician and rising up to become Vice President of Operations and COO at Sears Pest Control. Jay went on to work in both regional and division roles for the Southeast Division of Orkin from 2001 to 2014 before assuming the role of President and COO of Spraggins, Inc., a residential construction company based in Orlando, Florida.
“TSCP has a long and successful track record of executing the buy-and-build strategy in fragmented markets,” TSCP Managing Partner Bob Dunn added. “With past roll-up successes in retail audiology clinics, commercial fire safety, self-storage and plumbing/HVAC home services, we believe we have the experience needed to successfully execute on this thesis.”
Keating remains passionate about the pest control industry and sees great opportunities for growth via a strategic rollup within the space, focusing on specific geographies, sales strategies and collective corporate values.
“I am thrilled about the opportunity to work with TSCP to build a leading pest control company,” said Keating. “TSCP is an ideal partner with a demonstrated track record of working well with founder-owned businesses, demonstrating integrity, exceptional analytical horsepower and enabling growth by providing the partnership and resources required to build successful companies.”
