Rollins Inc. (NYSE:ROL) (1.0%) (ROL – $29.27 – NYSE) provides pest control services to nearly two million residential and commercial customers throughout North America primarily under the Orkin and Western Pest brand names. Its services are critical to homeowners and commercial establishments alike, in both expansionary and recessionary times. The company has benefited from growth in the commercial service area and mosquito and bed bug treatments. At the same time, the company has controlled costs through more efficient scheduling and routing. Rollins has been taking advantage of its strong balance sheet to make tuck-in acquisitions. It has also begun franchising more operations outside the U.S. Founded in 1901, Rollins is majority owned by members of the Rollins family.
From the Gabelli ABC Merger Arbitrage Fund second quarter 2016 shareholder letter.
