When you think about pest control, you might picture someone spraying chemicals to get rid of bugs or mice. But today, the pest control industry is changing fast. One Swedish company called Anticimex is leading this change, and a smart investment company named Melker Schörling AB is helping them do it.
This article will explain how these two companies work together to grow one of the world’s biggest pest control businesses. We’ll look at their strategy, their success, and what makes them different from other companies.
What Is Melker Schörling AB?
Melker Schörling AB (often called MSAB) is a Swedish investment company. Think of it as a business that buys parts of other companies and helps them grow bigger and stronger.
The company was started by Melker Schörling, a successful Swedish businessman who passed away in 2023. Before starting his investment company, Melker Schörling was the CEO of Securitas, a famous security company. He knew how to build strong businesses that could compete around the world.
How Melker Schörling AB Works
Melker Schörling AB doesn’t just buy companies and wait for them to make money. They take an active role. This means they:
- Help choose the right leaders for the company
- Guide important business decisions
- Support the company when it wants to buy other businesses
- Think long-term, not just about quick profits
The company focuses on industrial businesses – companies that make things or provide important services. They look for businesses that can become the best in their field.
What makes MSAB special is that it’s a small team that makes decisions quickly. They don’t have hundreds of employees. Instead, they have a few smart people who really understand business, plus a large network of experts they can ask for help.
What Is Anticimex?
Anticimex is a pest control company that started in Sweden in 1934. The name “Anticimex” comes from Latin and means “against bedbugs.” When the company started, bedbugs were a big problem, so they focused on solving that issue.
Today, Anticimex is much bigger. They work in 21 countries across Europe, Asia, North America, and South America. They have more than 7,000 employees and serve around 3 million customers.
What Makes Anticimex Different
Anticimex isn’t like old-style pest control companies. They use modern technology called “Anticimex SMART” to catch pests in a better way.
Traditional pest control often means a person comes to your building once a month to check for pests and put down poison or traps. But Anticimex SMART works differently:
- 24/7 Monitoring: Special sensors watch for pests all day and all night
- No Toxic Chemicals: The system uses traps that don’t need poison
- Early Warning: The technology can predict problems before they get bad
- Remote Communication: The sensors send information to pest control experts automatically
For example, if a mouse is detected in a building, the system sends a message right away. A pest control expert can come quickly, before one mouse becomes many mice.
This technology is better for the environment because it doesn’t use harmful chemicals. It’s also better for businesses because it catches problems early, before they cost a lot of money.
How Melker Schörling AB and Anticimex Started Working Together
In 2019, Melker Schörling AB decided to invest in Anticimex. At that time, another company called EQT owned most of Anticimex. EQT is a big investment company that had been helping Anticimex grow since 2012.
MSAB bought a minority stake, which means they own a smaller part of the company, not the biggest part. But even with a smaller share, they became an important partner.
Then in 2021, something interesting happened. EQT was planning to sell Anticimex through an IPO (Initial Public Offering), which means letting anyone buy shares of the company on the stock market. But instead, EQT decided to keep Anticimex and brought in more long-term investors, including MSAB.
In this new deal, Melker Schörling AB became the second-largest shareholder in Anticimex, right after EQT. The total value of this deal was about 60 billion Swedish kronor (roughly 6 billion euros).
Why This Partnership Makes Sense
Melker Schörling AB chose to invest in Anticimex for several good reasons:
Long-Term Growth Potential: The pest control industry is steady. People and businesses always need help with pests. As cities grow bigger and food safety becomes more important, demand for pest control keeps increasing.
Technology Leadership: Anticimex’s SMART technology puts them ahead of competitors. This technology can change the whole pest control industry.
Strong Management: Anticimex has experienced leaders who know how to run the business well.
Global Expansion: There’s room to grow in many countries, especially in Asia and North America.
The Acquisition Strategy: How They Grow
One of the most important parts of Anticimex’s success is their “buy and build” strategy. This means they grow in two ways:
- Organic Growth: Getting more customers in the places where they already work
- Acquisitions: Buying other pest control companies
Buying Other Companies
Since 2012, Anticimex has bought more than 400 other pest control companies. That’s an amazing number! They typically buy between 40 and 50 companies every single year.
These aren’t huge companies. Usually, they buy smaller, local pest control businesses. For example:
- In 2025, they bought three pest control companies in Texas to enter that market
- They bought companies in France to grow stronger there
- They acquired businesses in Asia to expand in that region
How the Acquisition Process Works
Anticimex has a clear, three-step process when they buy a company:
Step 1: Getting to Know Each Other
- Anticimex meets with the business owner
- They learn about how the business works
- The owner learns about Anticimex
- They see if they would work well together
Step 2: Looking Closely at the Business
- Experts check all the details of the company
- They look at finances, customers, and employees
- They identify any problems and how to fix them
- They agree on a fair price
- This takes about 2-4 months
Step 3: Joining Together
- After buying the company, they work on integration
- They introduce employees to Anticimex’s way of working
- They bring in SMART technology
- They keep what works well and improve what doesn’t
- This process takes about 6-12 months
Why Sellers Choose Anticimex
Many pest control business owners decide to sell to Anticimex because:
- They Honor the Business: Anticimex respects the history and reputation of the companies they buy
- Employees Keep Their Jobs: Workers often stay with the company and may get new opportunities
- Technology Upgrade: The business gets access to Anticimex SMART technology
- Retirement Option: Many owners are ready to retire but want their business in good hands
- Growth Opportunity: Some owners stay with Anticimex and help it grow even more
How Melker Schörling AB Supports the Strategy
Melker Schörling AB plays an important role in helping Anticimex succeed with this acquisition strategy.
Financial Support
Buying 40-50 companies every year costs a lot of money. MSAB provides financial backing that helps Anticimex keep buying good companies without running out of money.
When a great opportunity comes up – like entering a new country or buying a bigger company – MSAB can help provide the money quickly.
Strategic Advice
MSAB has lots of experience building successful companies. They’ve helped other businesses like:
- Securitas (security services)
- ASSA ABLOY (locks and doors)
- Hexagon (technology for measuring)
All of these companies grew to become world leaders in their industries. MSAB uses lessons learned from these companies to help Anticimex.
Read Also: Meet the Cadibara: Nature’s Friendly Giant Rodent
Long-Term Thinking
Unlike some investors who want quick profits, MSAB thinks about the long term. They’re happy to wait years for the business to grow properly.
This long-term view is perfect for Anticimex’s strategy. Building a global company by buying hundreds of smaller companies takes time. You can’t rush it.
Network and Connections
MSAB has connections with business leaders, other investors, and experts around the world. These connections can help Anticimex:
- Find good companies to buy
- Enter new markets
- Solve problems
- Make important business deals
Results: How Well Is It Working?
The partnership between MSAB and Anticimex is producing great results:
Impressive Growth Numbers
Between 2011 and 2020, while EQT and then MSAB were involved:
- Revenue Growth: Anticimex’s sales grew by 19% every year on average
- Profit Growth: Operating earnings grew by 29% per year
- Size Increase: The company almost four times bigger in terms of revenue
- Earnings Multiply: Operating earnings increased six times
Geographic Expansion
Anticimex now operates in 21 countries:
- Europe: Their home market and still very strong
- North America: Especially the United States, which is the world’s biggest pest control market
- Asia-Pacific: Growing in countries like Singapore
- South America: Entered countries like Colombia
The United States alone now makes up about 40% of their total revenue. This is important because the U.S. pest control market is huge.
Technology Leadership
Anticimex SMART technology is now used by customers around the world. It sets them apart from competitors who still use old-fashioned methods.
The technology continues to improve with new features like:
- Sensors that work in tough environments like sewers
- Better algorithms that predict pest problems even earlier
- Integration with mobile apps so customers can see their protection status
What Makes This Strategy Special
Many companies try to grow by buying other businesses, but not all succeed. What makes the Anticimex and MSAB strategy work so well?
Focus on Integration
Anticimex doesn’t just buy companies and leave them alone. They carefully integrate each company, which means:
- Teaching employees about Anticimex’s methods
- Installing SMART technology
- Keeping the best practices from the acquired company
- Making sure customers still get good service
This takes time and effort, but it works better than just collecting companies.
Decentralized Model
Even though Anticimex is a big global company, they let local branches make many of their own decisions. This is called a “decentralized branch model.”
Local managers know their customers and their market best. They can make quick decisions without waiting for approval from headquarters in Sweden.
This model helps the acquired companies feel like they still have control, while benefiting from being part of a bigger organization.
Investment in Technology
The SMART technology isn’t cheap to develop and install, but it’s worth it because:
- Customers are willing to pay more for better service
- It saves time because technicians don’t need to check empty traps
- It prevents big problems that would cost money
- It’s better for the environment, which many customers care about
Choosing the Right Companies
Anticimex is careful about which companies they buy. They look for:
- Strong local reputation
- Good relationships with customers
- Skilled employees
- Businesses that fit with Anticimex’s values
They don’t just buy any pest control company. They buy companies that will make Anticimex stronger.
The Future: What’s Next
Both Melker Schörling AB and Anticimex are thinking about the future. Here’s what might happen next:
More Acquisitions
Anticimex will likely keep buying companies. There are still many local pest control businesses around the world. As older owners retire, more companies will be available to buy.
Expanding SMART Technology
The technology will probably get even better. Future improvements might include:
- Artificial intelligence that learns from data
- Sensors for other types of pests, not just rodents
- Integration with smart buildings
- Even more environmentally friendly solutions
New Markets
There are big markets where Anticimex is still small or not present at all. Countries in Asia, Africa, and South America could be targets for future growth.
Focus on Sustainability
More customers care about the environment. Anticimex’s pesticide-free technology fits this trend perfectly. They’ll likely emphasize this even more in the future.
Lessons for Other Businesses
What can other companies learn from the Melker Schörling AB and Anticimex partnership?
Patient Capital Works
MSAB shows that being patient with investments can pay off. Quick profits are nice, but building a lasting, valuable company takes time.
Technology Can Transform Old Industries
Pest control is an old industry, but Anticimex proved you can use new technology to do it better. Other traditional industries can learn from this.
Buy and Build Carefully
Buying lots of companies works if you do it right. The key is good integration, not just buying for the sake of buying.
Active Ownership Matters
MSAB doesn’t just provide money. They provide advice, connections, and long-term support. This “active ownership” helps companies succeed.
Keep What Works
When Anticimex buys a company, they don’t throw everything away. They keep the good parts (like local knowledge and customer relationships) and add value (like SMART technology).
Challenges and Risks
Of course, not everything is perfect. There are challenges:
Integration Complexity
Buying 40-50 companies per year means constantly integrating new businesses. This requires good systems and lots of management attention.
Technology Costs
Developing and maintaining SMART technology is expensive. The company must keep investing to stay ahead of competitors.
Market Competition
Big competitors like Rentokil and Ecolab are also trying to grow and improve. Anticimex must keep innovating to stay ahead.
Economic Uncertainty
In tough economic times, businesses might spend less on pest control. This could slow growth.
But so far, Anticimex and MSAB have handled these challenges well.
Conclusion
The partnership between Melker Schörling AB and Anticimex shows how smart investing and good business strategy can create success.
MSAB brings:
- Long-term commitment
- Financial support
- Strategic advice
- A strong network
Anticimex brings:
- Innovative technology
- A clear growth strategy
- Strong execution
- Good leadership
Together, they’ve built one of the world’s leading pest control companies. They’ve proven that even an old industry like pest control can be transformed with the right combination of technology, strategy, and patient capital.
From a small Swedish company fighting bedbugs in 1934, Anticimex has become a global leader serving 3 million customers in 21 countries. The acquisition strategy – buying hundreds of local companies and improving them with technology and know-how – has worked remarkably well.
For business students, investors, and entrepreneurs, this is a great example of how to build lasting value. It’s not about getting rich quick. It’s about choosing the right partners, thinking long-term, using technology wisely, and executing your strategy well over many years.
The story of MSAB and Anticimex is still being written. With continued acquisitions, technology improvements, and expansion into new markets, their best days may still be ahead.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does Melker Schörling AB do?
Melker Schörling AB is a Swedish investment company that buys shares in other companies and helps them grow. They focus on industrial companies and take an active role in guiding strategy and supporting growth. They’re known for thinking long-term rather than looking for quick profits.
2. How big is Anticimex?
Anticimex operates in 21 countries with more than 7,000 employees. They serve around 3 million customers worldwide. Since 2015, they’ve tripled their sales through growth and over 400 acquisitions. The company is now worth billions of euros.
3. What is Anticimex SMART technology?
Anticimex SMART is a digital pest control system that uses sensors and traps connected to the internet. It monitors for pests 24/7, uses no toxic chemicals, and sends alerts when it detects pest activity. This allows pest control experts to respond quickly and prevent infestations before they become serious problems.
4. How many companies has Anticimex bought?
Since 2015, Anticimex has completed more than 400 acquisitions. They typically buy between 40 and 50 companies per year. Most of these are smaller, local pest control businesses that help Anticimex expand in different regions.
5. Why do pest control companies want to sell to Anticimex?
Owners sell to Anticimex because the company respects their business legacy, keeps employees working, provides access to advanced technology, and often allows sellers to stay involved if they want. Many sellers are ready to retire but want their business in good hands.
Read Also: LittleMinaxo Explained: Simple Guide to the Online Name Everyone Is Searching For
