Crawley-based Rentokill Initial makes £5billion acquisition of large American business to create global leader in pest control

Rentokil Initial will acquire Terminix for stock and cash and the transaction will bring together two complementary businesses to create the global leader in pest control and hygiene and wellbeing, and the leader in the pest control business in North America, the world's largest pest control market.

The transaction will also combine two leading brands with a long cultural heritage, outstanding talent and strong focus on people, customers and ESG.

Earlier this year, Rentokill Initial moved their global HQ to Crawley, taking 3x the space they had in the building on Manor Royal. They also have their global innovation centre in Manor Royal.

Upon completion, the Combined Group will have circa 56,000 colleagues serving irca 4.9m customers around the world from 790 locations.

The enlarged business will have a strong platform for growth, particularly in North America, and an attractive financial profile to support future growth, including through acquisitions and continued investment in innovation and technology.

The Combination is expected to create significant value, enhance long-term growth potential, be highly cash generative and present a compelling industrial logic, supported by:

- increased scale and leadership in the global pest control market;