Pest publication’s Best New Product Award 2010 announced

An innovative market
Pest control is a very inventive and resourceful market. People are always coming-up with some new idea to make practical pest controllers’ lives easier or more professional. New developments have also been brought about by regulatory change – for example just think of the numerous variations of rodent boxes which have been developed – ones which will accommodate all varieties of bait, offer secure anchorage, company personalisation, a variety
of colours, with in-built insect monitors and so on…

Nor must we forget the new active ingredients introduced by the research-based chemical manufacturers – where would we be without them? And then, once a new active is introduced, there is so much scope for developing them with for example, new delivery methods or admixtures with other active ingredients, to offer a greater range of target pests, or speedier results etc etc.

New technology brings with it opportunities too. What about GPS tracking systems, palmtop computers and remote internet access with purpose-built pest management software?

So, to recognise all this innovation, Pest is to present an annual award. The process is simple, yet the kudos to the products selected will be great. The manufacturer/distributor of the winning product will be able to display the Pest Best New Product Award 2010 logo on packs, literature, websites and the like.

Pestreaders are in the driving seat – the products shortlisted will be nominated by readers. Then the final selection of the winning product will be via a reader vote. Throughout the year,Pestpublications will update readers on progress and provide opportunities for product nominations before finally giving you the chance to vote for the product you feel has been the most innovative – the product which has made the greatest improvement to your life and/or your working practices.

The mechanics are quite simple
• 1 February 2010 – Pest Best New Product Award announced
• 1 February to 31 August – Pest readers can nominate their selected products
• 1 September – product shortlist drawn-up from nominations sent in
• 1 September to 31 October – readers vote to establish the winner
• 1 November – all votes counted
• 3 November – award presented during PestTech.

Qualifying period
Whilst the intention is for this to be an annual award, in this very first year we are extending the qualifying period. For the 2010 award, any product launched between 1 April 2009 and 31 August 2010 can be nominated. This means all products introduced at PestEx 2009 can be considered.

Rules of engagement
We’ve tried to keep it as simple as possible but there are some rules to follow.
1. Only commercial pest control products can be nominated. This therefore excludes services, promotional schemes, special offers and the like
2. Products nominated must have been launched after 1 April 2009 and before midnight on 31 August 2010
3. Products must have been fully commercially available during the time period shown in 2 above. Products supplied free for trials purposes cannot be entered
4. Only products sold in the UK are eligible
5. Entries must be made via an official nomination form, either printed or via the website, as supplied by Pest
6. Readers can submit up to five products per nomination form but can only nominate the same product once. You can send in an unlimited number of nomination forms;
7. Readers may vote for their top three products, but may only submit one voting form
8. Entries submitted after midnight on 31 October 2010 will not be counted.

Nominations now open
So, nominations for the Pest Best New Product Award 2010 are now open! Remember, nominated products must have been launched after 1 April 2009 – those introduced any earlier will not be included.

Click here to make your entry. Which products do you consider to be the most innovative?

All entries sumbitted must include:
• Your name
• Your company/organisation”s name
• The products you would like to nominate (five maximum)

Legal stuff
• In the event of a tie then all the products with the same score will receive the award;
• The count will be conducted by Pest publications and the decision made by Pest will be final. No correspondence will be entered into;
• The results will be announced at PestTech and on the Pest website and within Pest magazine;
• Pest takes no responsibility for late or lost entries. Proof of sending is not proof of receipt;
• Pest will only use your personal details for the purposes of administering this award and will not publish them or provide them to anyone else without your permission.