6/30/22
Topic: Building a Company Through Acquisition
Guest: Mike Givlin, CEO, Certus Pest
In this episode we discuss:
Mikes background with Bird Control International, Steritech and Anticimex
How running an $80 million company is like running a small company, and how it is different
How Certus has done 57 acquisitions in three years
Certus' approach to unifying the companies it buys
Why change management is so important and what it entails
The decision to rebrand many of its companies under the Purcor brand
The company's internal communication strategy, including town hall meetings and anonymous text line
What Certus has learned from some of the companies it has acquired
Mike's perspective about valuations amid high inflations and interest rates going up
The levers companies can pull to improve gross margin, and is it worth the risk
What integration looks like at Certus and how it has evolved
Mike's advice for smaller companies who are consider making acquisitions
His advice for owners looking to sell in the next five years
When Certus may crack the top 10 of the PCT Top 100 (it's currently at No. 18)
The plan for Certus' private equity firm, Imperial Capital
His opinion of the Terminix/Rentokil deal
Resources mentioned:
PMP Industry Insiders Podcast Episode 36 with Certus COO Amy Wilson
Notable: "You will always get a premium relative to market if you have a really good company — high recurring revenue, really tight routes, well-run." —Mike Givlin
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