Batzner hasn't been a pest - and that's good

Besides helping people shed bed bugs, Batzner Pest Management has made it a practice to separate people and other kinds of pests.

For all of its efforts, the company has built a reputation for not adding to customers' misery - even going so far as having some fun with some of the things that bug people.

Last week, the New Berlin-based firm ran its annual Madagascar Hissing Cockroach Race - featuring those large species of cockroach which, believe it or not, can be kept as pets - as part of its Customer Service Week celebration honoring its workers.

Batzner is also a finalist in the Better Business Bureau of Wisconsin Foundation 2011 Business Ethics Torch Award, a statewide competition that honors companies that demonstrate excellence in ethical practices, service, honesty in advertising, management practices and employee training in ethical behavior.

Winners will be announced at the BBB's ninth annual Torch Awards banquet Oct. 19 at the Pfister Hotel in downtown Milwaukee.

According to the Better Business Bureau, peer recognition and reputation play a role in determining the award winners. But the trust such businesses engender is the real measure.

"Trust has never been more important than in today's business environment," said Randall Hoth, Wisconsin BBB Foundation president, in a press release. "When companies are ethical and trustworthy, they deserve to be honored. The BBB is happy to shine the spotlight on these ethical companies."

The company was also honored last year for its revenue growth.

For information on Batzner, go to www.batzner.com.