Why Rentokil
Cristian Cavalletto has been working in Rentokil since 1996 and thanks to his personal abilities and growing interest has become Technical Manager of the Italian Pest Control Division.
He is always been fully committed in the technical service management with a constant eye to technical training. Gaining expertise in the pest control solutions, Cristian is steadily working hard for the enhancement of our customers’ satisfaction level.
- What got you interested in pest control in the first place?
- What was your first job in Rentokil and when did you start?
- How long have you been Technical Director?
- What's the most enjoyable part of your job…?
- …and what's the biggest challenge?
- What do you see as the biggest challenge for the pest control industry in the next 5 years?
- I understand you are interested in Wildlife. Can you bring any of that interest into your job?
- Your department undertakes many roles including training and quality control. What is the biggest job they face in the next year or so?
What got you interested in pest control in the first place?
I replied to an advertisement appeared for the recruitement of service staff to be employed by the Local Health Authority in Grosseto, my native town. They were letting out a contract for the pest control activities to be carried out against mosquitoes in the Tirrenic seaboard area near Grosseto. I was interviewed and offered a serviceman position.
That contract was awarded to Rentokil so I had the chance to meet the company I am (lucky me!) still working for today.
What was your first job in Rentokil and when did you start?
After two years spent as a Technician, I started being more and more interested in the variety of opportunities offered by the sector, able to appreciate the team’s spirit, the experience and the knowledge of my colleagues. Though I wanted to learn more and have the opportunity to give the company my personal contribution to the analysis and solution of pest problems.
So two years later I was Service Manager. I had the opportunity to cooperate with all the Italian branches, to get in touch with the whole technical staff covering the national territory and with our main clients in a new and more effective way. I was there to find the right solutions to their respective problems. In 2004 I moved to Rome and my role evolved since then to Technical Manager for the Italian Division.How long have you been Technical Director?
What's the most enjoyable part of your job…?
The variety of activities offered by our sector, the involvement with a wide range of industry professionals and the opportunity to work with so many people, all resourceful and experienced and ready to help you out whenever required.
I feel very satisfied with my job especially when I see my ideas and suggestions put into practice thanks to their constant support. I can feel the true team spirit!
The variety of activities offered by our sector, the involvement with a wide range of industry professionals and the opportunity to work with so many people, all resourceful and experienced and ready to help you out whenever required.…and what's the biggest challenge?
Developing techniques and products to replace those no longer available, due in the main to increased regulatory restrictions, while control of certain pests in some situations is becoming more difficult.
What do you see as the biggest challenge for the pest control industry in the next 5 years?
The potential impact that the activities of the pest control industry have on the environment will continue to be one of the major issues we will need to address. Techniques, products and training to reduce as far as possible the risk to non-target species, particularly through secondary poisoning, and a greater awareness of the importance of biodiversity will be essential in the future. The greatest challenge will be to introduce these measures in a business environment where customers are asked for, and are increasingly demanding, pest-free conditions on their sites.
The introduction of the H.A.C.C.P. (Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point) risk evaluation system and the enforcement of more restrictive rules in this sector will require pest prevention and monitoring activities to be carried out all through the food industry process (starting from raw materials supplies) to retailing.
I understand you are interested in Wildlife. Can you bring any of that interest into your job?
Knowledge of the biology, habits, signs of and evidence left by animals, whether insects or vertebrates, is essential if we are to understand how they can be controlled and therefore prevent infestations. This is also the case if we are to avoid causing damage to the environment and non-target species and the only way to find the best solution to our customer’s pest problem.
Your department undertakes many roles including training and quality control. What is the biggest job they face in the next year or so?
Rentokil Pest Control has introduced several new systems designed to ensure our customers receive the best service possible and obtain their full satisfaction from our service. Our priority is the spread of good practice through the development of the individual. We must capitalise on the wealth of experience among our Technicians, Supervisors, Service Managers and Field Biologists by allowing them the opportunity to pass on their skills to others. We are very fortunate to have the people — we have to develop them.
