Nine Companies Recognized for Outstanding IPM Partnerships

2008 Gold Medal IPM Partner Award Finalists Announced

ATLANTA, June 25, 2008 – Nine companies demonstrating exceptional commitment to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) partnerships were recognized today 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 environmentally conscious 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

• 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, Inc. (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, Ind.) – 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 Inc. (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,” explained Thomas Green, Ph.D., President of The IPM Institute of North America, Inc. “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, Inc.

• Thomas A. Green, Ph.D., President of The IPM Institute of North America, Inc.

• Frank Meek, B.C.E., Technical Director, Orkin, Inc.

• Zia Siddiqi, Ph.D., B.C.E., Director of Quality Systems, Orkin, Inc.

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.

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.