International Pheromone Systems Ltd had its origins in Food Industries Ltd (a Unilever subsidiary) & Borregard (a leading pulp paper company in Norway).

Some aromas manufactured by Food Industries Ltd were found to be attractive to fruit flies, notably a raspberry flavour (named Rastone in the food industry and Cuelure in the pheromone pest control business).

These products became part of the product range for IPS.

Borregard was interested in using pheromones to protect trees they used in making paper. The connection with Food Industries pheromone division gave them control over the situation. Its base changed to Norway House in London.

Borregard later decided to slim down their divisions. With pheromones being a niche industry, International Pheromones became a casualty. The company became known as Rebercrest and was to be run by ex-Borregard employees.

International Pheromone Systems Ltd became independent when it was purchased by David Hartley. This was a start of the family business that you see today.

Its product range by then included trapping systems based on pheromones for monitoring and quantifying insect pest infestations in stored food and agricultural industries.

Dave Hartley handed over general management of the company to his son.

Graeme came with a degree in business, had project management experience in the building industry and sales experience in the food ingredients industry.

Ownership of the company was transferred to Graeme Hartley.

Moved to new premises near Liverpool as part of a five-year expansion plan.

Insectrac brand was registered.

Employed an Operations Manager to set up the new site and improve efficiencies in new production machinery.

Continuing the growth of IPS, the technical team was strengthened with the addition of a consultant with over 30 years’ experience in the IPM industry.

Employment of an entomologist with trial experience of Middle Eastern insect pests.

Continuation of alliances with research institutes, universities and associations.

Focusing manufactured products in five key industry sectors.

New website, marketing material & video presentations to promote our new direction. Continuing our aim to be a market leader as insect monitoring specialists.

Working towards awards for export and innovation.

“I have a vision of IPS becoming one of the key players in promoting pheromone & attractant technology in the global agricultural, pest control and home & garden markets.
Our strategy is built on the foundation of IPS’s core values, whilst focusing on sales growth, customer service and innovation of new solutions for our growing global customer base.
We have entered a new decade – an exciting new era for IPS.
We will continue our growth, as we move forward over the next ten years.
IPS is taking a three pronged approach to growth:
Promotion of the InsecTrac brand in the home & garden market.
Rebranding and a new corporate identity across all digital and printed media with the assistance of a marketing expert and PR consultant over the next 3 years and beyond.
Developing a range of ‘smart sensor technology systems’ for monitoring pests in domestic and agricultural environments.
We are currently working on projects with multinational companies to bring products to the market.
Creating a dedicated lab facility to promote the benefits of pheromone technology in each of our markets. Breeding insects onsite and creating behaviour rooms will facilitate our own testing to investigate effective dispenser technology and formulations.
We are currently attracting companies to open project/collaboration for IPM systems from this investment .
Our manufacturing expertise will assist to produce these products.
We are now working on projects for an attract and kill product and a sprayable pheromone system.
I believe that the future lies with sourcing a diverse & talented technical team.
This group of technical expertise will keep bringing something new to the market and keep IPS at the forefront of the industry.
We are pheromone monitoring specialists and we are widening our scope to be experts in IPM systems, involving the use of ‘smart technology’ and improving dispenser release rate”

Graeme Hartley – Managing Director