NEW ON THE BUSINESS SCENE: AMERISPEC INC NETWORK IS SOLD

AmeriSpec Inc., a national home inspection network with more than 260 franchise offices throughout the United States and Canada, has been acquired by American Home Shield, a Memphis-based home warranty company, and subsidiary of the $4.4 billion ServiceMaster L.P.

"We're excited about the opportunity to bring together the strengths of two number one companies to better serve the Southeast Missouri and Southern Illinois areas," said local AmeriSpec franchisee, Mark Buerck.

AmeriSpec has been providing home inspections the past two years in this area. "A typical inspection reviews more than 400 items of the home, from the root to the foundation," said Buerck.

AmeriSpec is the largest home inspection network in the United States, and American Home Shield is the largest and oldest home warranty company, said Breck Swanquist, president of American Home.

AmeriSpec will operate as a wholly owned, autonomously managed subsidiary, maintaining its existing staff and international headquarters in Orange, Calif.

AmeriSpec provides inspections, testing for carbon monoxide and radon, water analysis, energy assessment, termite inspections and a variety of ancillary services to home buyers, home sellers, homeowners and real estate professionals