PCI has ventured into Nepal, Thailand, Cambodia d and Vietnam, and strengthened its partnership with OCS, UK, to expand its facilities management wing.
“We are making concerted efforts to move towards eco-friendly and green technologies that will benefit not just the customer but the environment as well. Green methods and products are the way forward. The Bio-Control Research Laboratory (BCRL), PCI’s research center in Bangalore, is evolving eco-friendly solutions to meet this objective.
PCI has been sharing eco-friendly and non-pesticide based solutions to the customer. Exoroach with advanced gel battery system offers protection against cockroaches, ants and silverfish.
Customised service package is also available for offices, hospitality, healthcare, food processing & handling and pharmaceutical sectors. Together with Exosect, UK, PCI is now offering a revolutionary cockroach-catching technology as part of its GoldSeal Service for all our commercial clients.
PCI has always regarded technological development and education of customers, as two most important focus points. “We have made great headway in the agricultural market which has encouraged us to take some of the technologies into the urban market.
“We also help by providing training through the Government to educate and create fumigation experts in India.”
PCI takes pride in being the experts in the market. A client to us is also a partner. We ensure that we speak to customers and explain our services in order to come to realistic goals for both parties. Through brochures, interactions and public information drives, the client is able to gain more knowledge to understand the pest problems and their possible solutions. This is critical to managing their expectations of this industry.
Current Trends
The trend in India as well as globally is to move towards enviro-friendly methods of pest management. Protecting the customer, while protecting nature, is key. “After all, we aren’t here to eradicate pests, only control them and prevent them from damaging our health, property and environment. There are some challenges.” For instance, getting better, more proactive support from the government will help greatly in introducing new & advanced technologies into the Indian market. Improvement of the registration system will also give confidence to those that wish to introduce new products into the country. Working with the IPCA to better the current standard is definitely a solution; as well as working through the association to become a more respected industry in the nation.
As the first and largest company in the industry, we believe it is our responsibility to set the standards, something we have been doing for almost 60 years, introducing game changing methods and greener products that meet the expectations of the environment conscious customer.
Awareness programmes to educate end customer…
One method is to create a relationship with the customer and to spend enough time to answer any queries they may have. Another method is through publicly sharing information and creating awareness. For instance, we carry out Citizens Initiative Against Mosquitoes (CIAM), a campaign to educate customers about the need for their involvement in mosquito control.
Social Awareness
From its inception PCI has engaged in CSR activities. PCI’s social involvement and initiatives include several educational and rural development projects.
The Karjat Agricultural Rural Management Assistance was initiated by the rural development cell of PCI in 1975 to initiate projects directed towards improvement of health, education and overall socio-economic development of numerous villages at Karjat, near Mumbai.
The Academy of Development Sciences (ADS) set up subsequently trains and equips locals and helps them attain a better quality of life. The food processing factory, cane factory and the Scientific Nursery keeps the tradition alive. A boys orphanage has been adopted and free eye camps are a regular feature in the area.
In another initiative the Pied Piper rodent control campaign was carried out jointly by the Bombay Municipal Corporation, the Colaba Residents’ Association and PCI in December 1992. The entire area was divided into six blocks and the campaign was conducted in three phases – Pre-Campaign infestation, ROBAN® treatment and Post Campaign infestation.
In 1996, PCI managed and implemented the Getty Conservation Institute’s project– Picture Mumbai – Landmarks of a New Generation. The body of work was exhibited at Mumbai and has led to the formation of the Picture Mumbai Trust.
Over the last four years, PCI has been taking a leading part in spreading awareness on measures to prevent mosquito breeding within and around the residences. This is done with the help of societies, ALM (Advanced Locality Management) folk, local citizen volunteers and other civic body support. “We believe that the key to efficient control is through collaboration and transfer of knowledge.”
A novel initiative by the local NGO, Slum Rehabilitation Society along with the local federation was implemented to educate the residents about dangers from mosquito-borne & rat-borne diseases, with the support and technical guidance of PCI.
A small treasure hunt was also initiated by SRS, and at the end of the program a quiz was presented – all were winners!
“At the end of the event, 10kg of our Roban® rodenticide was donated to the community to empower them to take control measures into their own hands.”
Some tips on preventing mosquito breeding:
- Change water once weekly in flower vases and drain trays of potted plants.
- Do not store water in open containers and cover all water containers with lids.
- Scrub and clean margins of containers used for water.
- Prevent outdoor and indoor water stagnation in and around your residence and society, especially in unused or broken pots, vessels, old tyres or empty coconut shells.
- Cover overhead tanks to prevent access to mosquitoes. Ensure regular cleaning of water tanks.
- Store old drums or barrels inverted to prevent water accumulation.