Supplier Spotlight: Agserv, A Family Business

In this feature, we turn the spotlight onto some of the key companies within our industry. In this edition, we look at product and equipment supplier Agserv.

Most pest managers will be familiar with Agserv. It is a privately-owned family business that supplies a complete range of specialist products to the professional pest control industry, and is considered one of the ‘big three’ suppliers.

The company has been trading for over 100 years, starting as a small operation – then known as Rudduck – in Victoria. In the very early years, it was a division of Ciba Geigy, focused on the supply and application of pesticides, particularly herbicides, to the industrial market. In 1976, Patrick Hess, who was at that time employed by Ciba Geigy, purchased and took over management of the business. When Patrick Hess passed away in 1984, his son Eris Hess joined the business a few years later in 1998.

“Growth was always the aim,” explains Eris Hess, who remains the managing director to this day. “The first addition was our Newcastle Branch, acquired through the purchase of Chemical Enterprises, in August 2001. Then we opened in our first Brisbane office at Archerfield in August 2007.”

With the business gaining a strong foothold in the pest control supply market, the opportunity for greater expansion presented itself. In 2014 the business became 100% owned by Eris Hess, operating under the Agserv name.

“The opportunity to open a branch in Adelaide arose when we purchased Jade Chemicals in July 2017. That was followed quickly by Perth in 2018, when we gained the services of a very well established representative and branch manager,” said Mr Hess.

The last ten years have seen very rapid expansion in Agserv’s coverage of mainland Australia. Today, branches can be found in all state capitals and other major centres.

“The Gold Coast is our newest venture with a well-trained and respected manager running that branch. Further expansion both within Australia and elsewhere in the Pacific area are currently at the early planning stage,” added Mr Hess.

From being a relatively minor player ten years ago, today Agserv has gained a very significant share of the pest control supply market. “We have experienced significant annual sales growth, particularly in the past five years,” reported general manager Jason Green.

What’s the reason for this continuing growth? Mr Green believes it’s down to being dedicated to providing customers with quality products, superior service and sound advice.

“It is our clear intent to provide the best technical and sales support in the industry and we have invested heavily in order to be able to offer that technical ability and skill.

“We try not to cross-sell or steer our customers away from any particular product or product range. If asked for recommendations we will attempt to refer our customers to the best product for the job in hand. If two products are equally suitable, we will naturally tend to promote the products from the suppliers who offer us the best support, particularly from research-based companies. Giving customers what they need, when they need it, is why we’ve become a trusted supplier for so many pest professionals.”

Giving customers what they need was the reason for developing Agserv’s customer portal in 2021. Accessed via the Agserv website, the portal allows customers to order products online quickly and easily. The system allows users to check live stock levels at Agserv branches and look up product labels and SDS documents. The portal is exclusively available to professional pest managers and not to the general public. It was developed from an understanding of how time-poor pest managers typically are, working hard out on the road with little time to visit a branch during work hours.

“Using the online ordering portal, pest managers can check their stock at the end of the day, see what they’re running low on, and process their order that evening. They can pick up in store whenever is convenient for them. We’re committed to being a trusted partner for our customers,” said Mr Green.

Keeping up to date is important for staying relevant in business. This is why the Agserv team regularly advertise and supply feature articles for industry publications, and ensure the company website is up to date with the latest information and relevant monthly blog posts. Agserv’s major annual promotion is the Pestech seminar series, held in each state, to educate and update pest managers on current industry trends and supply technical information on new products.

“Our Pestech roadshow is a way for us to get information out to pest managers. At these seminars, wherever possible, we support research-based suppliers and grant them a great deal of freedom to present those products or concepts that are important to them. Specific product or corporate promotions are designed and advertised as such. We actively support supplier promotions and will suggest new initiatives where we feel it is appropriate,” said Mr Green.

“This year’s Pestech roadshow was excellent and we look forward to continuing to bring these kinds of informative events, and continued excellent service, to pest managers across the country for many years to come.”