More than Pest Control
From protecting homes to health, Hoffman’s Exterminating has built its business on always putting the community first.
When most people think about the pest control business, their minds go to getting tiny black ants marching through the kitchen, camel crickets taking over a basement or silverfish wiggling out of bathroom drains. And while this is a big part of the industry—no one wants to encounter unwanted houseguests of the insect or bug variety, after all—a successful exterminating company is built on so much more.
No one knows that better than William T. “Bill” Hoffman, founder of Hoffman’s Exterminating.
“We protect people’s health, we protect their food and we protect their property,” he says. “It’s not just about nuisance pests.”
New owner, same values
Over the 36 years since its small start out of Hoffman’s home garage, Hoffman’s Exterminating has grown into a $16 million company servicing homes and businesses in four states. And while the Hoffman’s Exterminating platform was recently purchased by another family-based pest control business (in fact the largest family-based pest control business, Arrow Exterminators) which is based in Atlanta. Emily Thomas-Kendrick, the CEO of Arrow, has the same principles, values, and in her words, has “rock stars” that has driven the success of Arrow. This partnership will allow the South Jersey-based business’s core principles—maintaining a commitment to community, staying on top of industry technology and advancements, and offering overall efficient and comprehensive services—will not be changing. In fact, Hoffman believes it will become stronger, and that is why he is staying with the company.
“My biggest goal now is the transitional coach,” he says. “Learning from each other, the best of each of us, how we can push the brands to new heights, and that is why Arrow acquired everything—the brand, the trucks, the teaching and most importantly, our culture. My entire team has stayed on. My goal now is to see us be the best as a combined force, for our community, customers and team members.”
Serving the community
Hoffman attributes much of his company’s success to its focus on community engagement. They work with local nonprofits—Ronald McDonald House and Habitat for Humanity among them—to not just do pest control but offer support and education. In the food industry, their job is to ensure brands stay safe from critters and, in extension, stay safe for consumers.
“We work with every name brand you can think of in the Philly market—Lincoln Financial, Field, Xfinity Mobile Arena, Subaru Park, Amoroso’s Baking Company, Tastykake Baking, Chickie’s & Pete’s, PJ Whelihan’s,” Hoffman says. “That’s been our niche, be a partner, not a vendor.”
And then, of course, Hoffman’s Exterminating serves over 10,000 homeowners. This includes the company’s 365 Pest Protection Program.
“That’s exactly what it stands for. We want to make sure people’s homes are protected 365 days a year,” Hoffman says. “Your home is your biggest investment, but it’s also your sanctuary. Our goal has always been to protect that sanctuary.”
From summer job to lifelong career
Hoffman’s first foray into the exterminating industry was with a summer job when he was 17 years old, and he never anticipated that 10 years later he would be starting his own company.
“It was a summer internship. I worked my way up the ladder at a very young age; I was a branch manager at 26 years old. And I really fell in love with the industry,” Hoffman says. “I thought it was just going to be a summer job.”
Since then, Hoffman earned many certificates and credentials, including, Penn State Medical Entomology, PCQI, AIB Certification, as well as becoming a well-respected Food Safety Expert within the pest control industry. He serves on the boards of New Jersey and national pest management organizations, New Jersey food processors, as well as the current chair of the Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce and executive board for the Ronald McDonald House of Southern NJ. He and his team also take the time to speak at local colleges and high schools about a career in the pest management industry, which in turn has inspired some of those former students to pursue jobs in the field, and many are currently employed today at Hoffman’s.
“It’s amazing to see. You don’t realize what people are going to remember. You have to give people an experience, if not with what you say, with how you make them feel,” Hoffman says. “This is an industry people don’t think about. It’s a trade, but it’s not recognized in the trade schools. When we bring people in, we’re doing it organically. It’s a huge industry. It’s growing and it’s needed, especially with climate change.”
A lasting legacy
Hoffman credits caring about not only the community, but his employees, as a big part of why his company developed such a strong foothold in the local extermination market. He estimates he’s trained around 500 people who are “still doing this as a living in one capacity or another.”
“I’ve really been able to take what I’ve done and keep continuing to give back as a mentor and a teacher to get more people engaged in this industry,” Hoffman says. “I really believe in mentoring people and giving them a skill they can use for a very long time.”
Ultimately, Hoffman’s role will segue into his new title: vice president of commercial development and food safety. But while his role may change, one of the most important things that won’t be changing, according to Hoffman, is the company’s name. Hoffman’s Exterminating—and all that it stands for—will continue.
“I still want to be an influence in this area. I think I’ve done really well teaching people this great skill, providing a great service and getting our company to be a very recognizable brand name,” Hoffman says. “People trust our company, and now my legacy will stay forever.”
Hoffman’s Exterminating
Mantua
(856) 468-0183
