Figure 1 Trece, Inc.’s Storgard Insect Monitoring System’s Logo
Storgard – India’s Trusted Stored Product Pest Pheromone Trap Brand
Trece Inc.‘s Storgard Insect Monitoring Systems (Storgard) have been a trusted name in India for over three decades. This popularity mirrors a global phenomenon, reflecting Trece’s reputation as the world’s leading manufacturer and supplier of high-quality pheromone traps and lures used in agriculture and stored food products.
Indian food safety professionals who utilize pheromone traps for stored product pest (SPP) management are well-acquainted with Storgard Dome Traps, beetle pheromone lures, and IMM+4 pheromone lures.
These products have become so synonymous with quality and effectiveness that “Storgard,” “Dome,” and “IMM+4” are often used generically, even though they are specific Trece brands.
The History of Storgard Insect Monitoring Systems in India
The story of Storgard in India is intertwined with the career of Giridhar Pai, founder of Giridhar Pai Associates LLP (GPA).
During his tenure as General Manager of Quality Assurance at Pest Control (India) Private Limited (PCI) from 2000 to 2007, Giridhar Pai played a pivotal role in introducing the Trece Storgard range to the Indian market.
His efforts culminated in Trece appointing PCI as its Indian distributor in 2002, marking the beginning of Storgard’s widespread adoption in the country. Giridhar Pai further solidified the relationship with Trece through a visit to their Salinas, California plant in 2005, fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing in the field of agricultural and stored product pest pheromones.
However, due to subsequent changes in PCI’s management and ownership, the distribution of Storgard products in India unfortunately ceased after 2022. This disruption left a significant void in the market, as Indian customers struggled to find alternatives that matched Storgard’s quality and efficacy.
Despite the availability of local and imported options, Storgard customers remained loyal to the brand, recognizing its superior performance and reliability.
Recognizing the urgent need to restore access to these essential tools, Giridhar Pai, now leading his own company, GPA, took on the challenge of re-establishing the Storgard supply chain in India.
How GPA’s Perseverance Restored Storgard Availability in India
Beginning in September 2021, GPA initiated discussions with Trece, Inc. to explore the possibility of resuming Storgard distribution in India. These discussions proved fruitful, and in 2024 Trece officially appointed GPA as it’s Indian distributor. Following this agreement,
Since then, GPA has maintained a consistent supply of Storgard products, including Dome Traps and pheromone lures targeting a variety of stored product pests, such as cigarette beetles, confused and red flour beetles, khapra and warehouse beetles, and almond moths.
Figure 2 Storgard Master PCO Kit bulk sale unit
GPA’s Excellent Storgard Product Demand Management
The demand for Storgard products in India has been exceptionally strong, with GPA’s imported stock often being depleted within a week of arrival.
To address this challenge and minimize lead times, GPA is actively working with its top Indian Storgard customers to implement demand forecasting and advanced planning strategies.
GPA’s close collaboration with Trece has been crucial in ensuring that Storgard products remain readily available and affordably priced in India and across Asia.
GPA’s proactive sales efforts and successful expansion of Storgard’s market share in India led Trece to extend GPA’s distribution territory across the entire Asian region.
In 2024, GPA even fulfilled two orders for Storgard products from a leading flour mill in the Middle East, demonstrating its growing reach and influence.
Figure 3 Storgard Quick Change Broad Spectrum Beetle Trap
Factors Behind GPA’s Success in Re-introducing Storgard in India
Several factors have contributed to GPA’s success in re-introducing Storgard to the Indian market.
Firstly, GPA has partnered with a reliable global logistics provider to ensure the swift and efficient delivery of Storgard products from Trece’s US factory in Adair, Oklahoma.
While air freighting the products from the USA to India increases their landed cost, the critical need for these tools in the Indian food industry has sustained high demand, with customers willing to absorb the higher price.
Secondly, GPA has transitioned to bulk packaging for Storgard products to optimize shipping costs and reduce prices for customers in India and throughout Asia.
By working closely with Trece’s shipping department, GPA has standardized order and sales units, eliminating unnecessary secondary packaging that would inflate freight costs and selling prices.
This bulk packaging approach has also benefited Indian Storgard customers by reducing the need for multiple smaller orders.
Figure 4 Pouch of 25 Storgard IMM+4 Pheromone Lures
GPA Introduces the Storgard Quick Change Dome in India in 2024
In 2024, GPA further strengthened its Storgard offerings by introducing the Storgard Quick Change (QC) Dome in India.
This innovative product provides a significantly improved version of the renowned Trece Dome Trap.
By the end of 2024 and early 2025, numerous Indian customers had transitioned to the QC Dome, appreciating its cost savings, improved trap set-up efficiency, and enhanced monitoring capabilities.
The introduction of the Ultra-Combi Quick Change (UCQC) Lure Tray has further enhanced the appeal of the Storgard system.
With the UCQC Lure Tray, Indian Storgard users can now monitor up to twelve stored product beetle pests using a single Quick Change Dome Trap.
The UCQC Dome Trap’s advent has led many Indian customers to switch from using multiple pheromone traps and lures to the more efficient and cost-effective UCQC Dome Trap.
Storgard’s enduring popularity in India can be attributed to its low cost of ownership. Storgard Dome Traps are rugged, reusable, and durable, requiring only periodic replacement of the long-lasting QC Lure Trays every two months.
Similarly, Storgard IMM+4 pheromone lures provide effective monitoring for almond moths with a two-month lifespan.
Despite the availability of alternatives, most Indian food companies continue to prefer Storgard Dome Traps, beetle pest lures, and IMM+4 pheromone lures for comprehensive pest monitoring.
Figure 5 Storgard Dome Trap Quick Change Broad Spectrum Beetle Trap Box
Acknowledging Key Contributors and Looking Ahead
GPA acknowledges the invaluable support of the Trece Inc. team, particularly Angel Parks, in re-establishing the Indian supply chain for Storgard Insect Monitoring Systems. Angel has been instrumental in providing quick responses to GPA’s queries and ensuring fast dispatch of confirmed orders.
GPA’s expertise in product selection, cost optimization, and reliable delivery has enabled the company to serve customers not only in India but across Asia.
Stay tuned for more informative and engaging content about Trece Storgard products, including innovative applications and best practices.
Conclusion
GPA has solidified its position as Asia’s leading supplier of stored product pest pheromone traps and lures.
With extensive expertise in stored product pest management and a long-standing relationship with Trece, the world’s leading manufacturer of these essential tools, GPA is uniquely positioned to serve the needs of the Indian and Asian markets.
The robust sales of Storgard products in 2024 demonstrate the trust that Indian customers place in GPA’s expert advice and cost-optimized, high-performing solutions like the Storgard Quick Change Dome Trap.
Contact GPA today to discuss your stored product pest monitoring program and benefit from our expertise and comprehensive product offerings.