PCI: Strategising Solutions

From a simple pest control service company, to today’s complete environmental solution company, Pest Control India Pvt. Ltd has grown to occupy the leadership position in the Indian Pest Control Industry

Founded by visionary Nalkur Sripad Rao and his brother (Late) Nalkur Bhavani Shankar Rao, soon after India’s independence, PCI has literally written the handbook for pest control in India. It all started in 1954 when the two brothers joined hands to set-up an enterprise that today is synonymous with pest control in India. Today’s modern enterprise has Anil S. Rao at its helm looking with Nostradamus like foresight towards catering to changing technologies, evolving living conditions and differing expectations!

PCI has more than 54 years of professional experience. It has made the transition from simple pest control services to complete environmental solutions, growing in size and scope, recognized today as the pioneer in pest control in India. A comprehensive range of professional pest management services, quality products and equipment are provided through 3,500 qualified personnel from over 150 offices across the nation. PCI today has enlarged its scope to include housekeeping, cleaning and hygiene services.

PCI lays great score on studying the insect’s habitat and lifestyle (entomology) to arrive at the most effective eliminator. All its products are manufactured in-house and all its solutions have been invented and designed by its in-house R&D team.

As far as pest management goes, PCI believes in an integrated approach towards pest management, tackling pest problems through the use of carefully selected and well-documented strategies. After studying the pest and the surroundings a conscious and judicious mix of non-chemical and chemical methods is applied. Nikhil Chatterjee, Vice-President Services (Marketing) says, “Our approach is to use environmentally sound solutions, often drawing from nature’s own arsenal. In cases where there is no option but to use a chemical the choice of chemical and dosage is based on it’s safety profile: chemicals that are low in human toxicity (good safety profile) yet extremely effective against target pests, are the preferred choice.” PCI’s highly qualified staff of doctors, scientists, entomologists, chemists and technicians are continuously engaged in ongoing R&D to ensure that PCI achieves ever higher benchmarks of excellence.

From its inception PCI has been a socially responsible company. Under the leadership of Anil, the company seeks to involve itself in the broad social fabric by involving itself in partnerships with municipalities and other public institutions in the hope that the public can benefit from safe and hygienic surroundings. Way back in 1975, the rural development cell of PCI initiated KARMA (Karjat Agricultural Rural Management Assistance), a project that sought to promote an integrated, sustainable lifestyle in a rural set-up. It also initiates projects directed towards the improvement of health, education and overall socio-economic development of thirteen villages near Mumbai.

In 1977-79, PCI demonstrated that a successful mosquito campaign could be carried out for a large area such as an entire township, when it bagged the contract for mosquito control at Faridabad, near Delhi. Residential and industrial areas (including surrounding villages) were treated using larvicides and adulticides. Motan swing foggers, PCI’s first import of fogging equipment, were also introduced in this project which was highly successful and well appreciated by all residents.

In 1979, PCI undertook its largest ever agricultural rodent control job for the Department of Agriculture, Government of Karnataka, in an area covering more than 25,000 acres. The project was dubbed the Pied Piper Project and was the first of a series of many similar campaigns. The success of PPP-I let to PPP-II in the next year.

The electric flying insect control system was introduced under the brand name Pest-O-Flash®, in 1979. PCI had spread its network to many more cities in the country, offering a wide range of professional services.

PCI has also set-up the Academy of Developmental Sciences to train and equip local tribals and help them attain a better quality of life. The rodent control program carried out jointly by the Bombay Municipal Corporation, the Colaba Residents’ Association and PCI in 1992 was a text book success. It was a meticulously planned and executed exercise, the objective of which was to eradicate en mass the rodents from that area. It established for a fact that concerted pest control management could work wonders with specific targets.

PCI has instituted efforts towards improving the environment and devising strategies to ensure its care.

PCI’s pioneering contribution to the field of Pest Management in India is recognised by both the industry and the general public. In 1978, PCI won the Assocham award from the Association of Chambers of Commerce for rural development and agricultural activities.

PCI occupies a unique position in that it is perhaps the only pest management company that manufactures, uses and sells its own products. PCI holds more than seventy registrations from the Central Insecticides Board, Ministry of Agriculture, Govt of India and has its own factories for formulation and manufacturing of cake and liquid pesticides and formulation and filling of fumigants and sterilant gases.

Bio Control Research Laboratories (BCRL) spearheads the company’s efforts to combat pests by harnessing nature. It is India’s first and premier private bio control laboratory and was established in 1981.

Anil Rao, avers, “Today, BCRL spearheads our commitment to environmentally sound solutions and is therefore engaged in continuous research and development of various biological control agents and bio-pesticides. We also have the advantage of a specialized urban entomology cell, to provide, testing, identification and other technical support.”

BCRL is a pioneer in pheromone trap technology, has made several innovations and standardised mass production techniques for a variety of bio-control agents, beneficial insects and bio-pesticides and has also played an important role in popularizing and transferring this technology to the field. The BCRL complex offers unparalleled R&D facilities. PCI has also instituted efforts towards improving the environment and devising strategies to ensure its care. ‘Green Grower’ a one stop garden centre was set-up and commissioned in November 1998, marking the company’s foray into horticulture thus adding a green arm to the company’s extensive array of services. Green Grower’s range of services include the sale of exotic plants, foliage, fruit trees, garden accessories, implements, landscaping, and supply of plants on wholesale and retail basis. Their rent-a-plant scheme allows clients to hire plants for a period of time in which a Green Grower horticulturist makes visits to the facility to care for the plant and keep them healthy and attractive. They also have a scheme whereby plants are attractively packaged to be offered as gifts for special occasions.

PCI’s success in it’s area of core expertise and experience has propelled the company to tie-up in 2004, with Alpha Group, the largest cleaning and facilities management company in Mauritius. The joint venture company has been providing high quality, professional pest management services through PCI’s standard operating guidelines and latest products and techniques.