Managing a Fleet in a Growing Business

January 2014, Business Fleet - Cover Story

by Amy Winter

The VW Beetle is one of several different types of vehicles in Bug Doctor's fleet. Each white-colored fleet vehicle includes several company logos.

For New Jersey-based Bug Doctor Termite & Pest Control, expanding its services to new states means growth in employees as well as fleet. With 32 vehicles and counting, Bug Doctor now serves customers in five pest control divisions, each with specific fleet needs.

Stuart Aust, owner and president, started Bug Doctor Termite & Pest Control with his wife as a mom-and-pop operation in Paramus, N.J., in 1992.

As the business grew, Aust expanded his companys reach into other pest control divisions. In 1996, Bird Doctor was born. Three divisions soon followed: Mosquito Doctor, Animal Doctor (trapping of skunks, raccoons, squirrels) and Bedbug Doctor.

In 2009, Bug Doctor took one of its divisions nationwide. With its other pest control divisions mainly serving customers in New Jersey, New York and Pennsylvania, Bird Doctor Nationwide now has customers as far as Texas and California.

Currently, Bug Doctor is averaging a revenue increase of 10% to 12% each year, says Aust. In December, the company was up about 16% in revenue. In the face of such growth, how does Bug Doctor manage the challenges of fleet?

With an expanding reach, Bug Doctor needs a reliable and up-to-date fleet. Aust decided to start leasing his vehicles instead of buying them. Cycling fleet every three years not only keeps maintenance costs in check, We found that gives our brand a clean and fresh look, he says.

Each field service truck is equipped with a customized commerical cap that features a toolbox on the driver's side and port windows on the passenger side to eliminate a blind spot while driving.

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Managing a Fleet in a Growing Business