Today, Rentokil's most common foes are termites, rodents, flies, mosquitoes and cockroaches, while other pest species such as bed bugs and pest birds are also on Rentokil’s target list in countries around the world.

Each year, the company conducts over 25 million pest control service visits to customer premises, covering over 737m miles in its fleet of service vehicles (or 29,623 laps of the Earth), with around 60,000 colleagues operating in 90 countries.

Rentokil's history is a captivating tale of innovation, dedication to customer service and global expansion. As we celebrate this incredible milestone of serving you for 100 years in over 90 countries and 58 years in Malaysia, join us as we explore our rich history.

Creators of modern pest control

Rentokil began in 1925 at London's iconic Westminster Hall, where the entomologist Professor Harold Maxwell-Lefroy battled to eradicate deathwatch beetles that were wreaking havoc on the building's historic mediaeval roof timbers. Having developed the world’s first effective solution for this species of woodboring beetle, he decided it would make an excellent business.

The birth of a brand

Maxwell-Lefroy originally wanted to call the brand ‘Entokil’ but was unable to trademark this name, so he added an R and Rentokil was born. The brand was introduced in 1925.

From its initial focus on insects, over the first 30 years, the business developed into new pest areas including rodents and new markets such as Asia and Africa. It was listed on the London Stock Exchange in the 1960s and expanded further in Europe and North America in the 1980s. More recently, it has moved into new markets in Latin America and the Middle East. During the 2020 COVID pandemic, Rentokil re-trained around 7,000 colleagues to provide disinfection services.

Reinventing pest control

In recent years, Rentokil has driven a transformation of pest control towards digital services, internet-connected services and the use of AI. The company has developed a range of digital pest control solutions, including remote monitoring systems and data analytics platforms.

Today, Rentokil has a network of connected pest control devices in customers’ premises around the world, generating over 1,000 messages every minute. These alerts, ranging from rodent notifications to system diagnostics, enable rapid response and proactive pest management.

Leader in innovation

From the start, Rentokil has been at the forefront of innovation in the pest control industry. We have dedicated innovation centres in the UK and US, the first Global Research and Development Centre was opened in the UK in 2017, with facilities to study pest behaviour and develop and test new products across a wide range of pests.

A selection of some outstanding products developed over the last few decades include:

Digital systems. In 2014, the company launched the PestConnect system of connected pest control devices with data storage and analysis in a cloud-based system, along with an online pest management system for customers. More connected devices were developed including the Rat Riddance Connect snap trap and Dual Autogate bait box.
MyRentokil. An online application tool available from any internet access point, providing you with instant access to a wealth of information in a time-saving visual format. All pest activity will be recorded by our service technician, recommendations and data will then be wirelessly transmitted to Rentokil’s secured servers, and immediately made available in our customer's myRentokil account. This is particularly valuable for commercial sectors that require annual audits whilst contributing to sustainable efforts by enabling the digital filing of audit reports and reducing paper consumption.
UV LED bulbs for fly traps. Following the advent of more efficient LED bulbs, our scientists found that UV LED bulbs could outperform fluorescent UV tubes in both energy savings and effectiveness at attracting flies. They developed the Lumnia range of UV LED insect light traps, and were granted several patents for parts of the design. Prioritising both functionality and aesthetics, Lumnia is a durable, high-performing range of ILTs suitable for both back and front-of-house areas while also creating sleek, modern designs that seamlessly integrate with various interior aesthetics and brand identities.

Focus on sustainability

For over 20 years, the company has increasingly focused on integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors into core business operations.

A key highlight is a commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2040, encompassing milestones such as transitioning to an

ultra-low-emission fleet and promoting the use of renewable energy. This target is further supported by an Environment Action Plan, structured around three pillars, sustainable solutions, sustainable operations, and sustainable workplace, with eight workstreams guiding specific actions and targets.

In addition, all research and development incorporates sustainability into products as a core factor. This includes finding alternatives to pesticides, developing more energy-efficient products such as the Lumnia insect light trap, increasing the use of recycled plastic, and developing PestConnect to optimise treatments and reduces pesticide use. Read more on our sustainability journey here.

Andy Ransom, CEO of Rentokil Initial plc, said:

“We are thrilled to be celebrating 100 years of Rentokil. From our beginnings in 1925, we have grown to become a global leader in pest control, protecting people from the threats of pests.

“I hope the men and women who founded Rentokil and invented modern pest control would recognise their legacy. They would certainly see themselves reflected in our brilliant, hard-working people and our dedication to innovation. This anniversary is a testament to the dedication of our colleagues, past and present, and we look forward to continuing to serve our customers for many years to come.

“As it has done throughout its history, Rentokil is today evolving rapidly and reinventing the industry with new advances in pest control technologies and more effective ways of working. We are at the forefront of innovation and digital technologies for pest control.

“As Rentokil enters its second century, we are building an organisation for the future, with a globally recognised brand and reputation, and will remain at the forefront of this outstanding industry.”

For more information about Rentokil and its 100th anniversary celebrations, please visit www.rentokil.com/my/about-us/100-years

This content is provided by Rentokil Initial Malaysia

The views expressed here are those of the author/contributor and do not necessarily represent the views of Malaysiakini.

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