Rollins to buy Western pest services for as much as $110 million

<p>Atlanta-based Rollins Inc. said Monday it agreed to acquire the pest-control business of Western Industries Inc. for $105 million to $110 million in cash.</p><p>Rollins, whose main operations are the Orkin Inc. rodent and insect control business, said the purchase should enhance its presence in the Northeast.</p><p>Western Pest Services, based in Parsippany, N.J., has about 130,000 customers from New York to Virginia, with additional operations in Georgia and Florida. Rollins Orkin unit has about 1.6 million customers in the United States, Canada and Mexico.</p><p>The deal is expected to close in the second quarter.</p><p>Rollins had 2003 revenue of $677 million.</p><p>The main business of Milwaukee-based Western Industries is manufacturing of plastic and metal parts.</p><p>The New York Stock Exchange-listed shares of Rollins closed Monday at $24.52, up 72 cents, or 3 percent.</p>