Food Logistics

AUG 2014

Food Logistics serves the entire food supply chain industry with targeted content for manufacturers, retailers, and distributors.

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20 AUGUST 2014 • FOOD LOGISTICS www.foodlogistics.com For perishable products, the sooner you know about a potential delivery problem or temperature excursion, the better. With Sensitech's Inbound Real-Time System, you see the what, where, when, and why of your entire global cold chain in time to make critical decisions. • Know where and when things go wrong, so you can take proactive steps—like re-routing a delayed shipment or fling a claim. • Get transparent, real-time visibility of carrier performance, so you know whether you're getting what you commissioned. • Simplify cold chain monitoring with a comprehensive solution that includes data collection, analysis, and expert support. Sensitech helps you protect product freshness every step of the way. Product temperature and location visibility—in real time. Amsterdam Bangalore Boston Hong Kong Melbourne Santiago Shanghai © 2014. Sensitech Inc. All rights reserved. www.sensitech.com If it's not fresh, you need to know. Before she does. Moreover, Leshuk sees a trend toward real-time monitoring. "While the technology for real-time monitoring has been available for many years, it has just recently become affordable enough to make sense for food shipments. Sensitech's view is that custom- ers will utilize a variety of data collection devices — including radio frequency and real-time — depending on the detail and timing required for information. The most important piece is that all of that data resides in a central, secure repository to be analyzed and utilized on a system-wide basis." …while cargo theft compromises food safety According to FreightWatch International, during the first quarter, food and beverage (excluding alcohol) shipments remained the top targets for cargo thieves, accounting for 21 percent of U.S. cargo thefts. The trend has persisted for several years [see graphic page 19 for 2012 data]. This does not surprise Walt Fountain, director of safety and enterprise security for Schneider, who says it is relatively easy for thieves to turn stolen food/beverage products. "Once that product is introduced into the economy, the consumer can't tell between one box of macaroni and cheese and a box that's been stolen," he says. The potential consequences for food safety issues are obviously compounded for stolen shipments. However, Fountain says there are many ways for shippers and logistics providers to work together to secure cargo and deter thieves. One of the most important begins with a simple conversation. Fountain advises ship- pers to talk with their logistics provider's security team and ask what measures they use to secure loads and if there is something more the shipper can do to guard against cargo theft, "because not every load is the same. There is a variance in the methodol- ogy we use to protect loads and mitigate risk," he says. Some measures are fairly effortless yet highly effective, such as positioning food products toward the nose of the trailer and loading collapsible cardboard displays at the back so as to conceal the trailer's contents if a thief were to open the trailer doors. Fountain also suggests that shippers invest a few cents more on high quality seals. Schneider executives gladly share informa- tion with shippers on the different types of seals and their quality, he says. Another tip is "making sure your carrier padlocks the trailer. Most thieves are really kind of lazy, so a simple padlock can really help protect your load." Schneider's dedication to reducing cargo theft is paying off. Last year marked the sev- enth consecutive year the company achieved a reduction in cargo theft. Complementing the fundamental steps to securing cargo is Schneider's communication and technology tools, explains Fountain, including a pre- notification system and geo-fencing solution. Schneider deployed its pre-notification system about five years ago to provide ship- pers and consignees with detailed informa- tion on the driver assigned to deliver or pick up freight and prevent fictitious pick-ups — a type of incident that jumped 44 percent last year, according to freight security firm CargoNet. Meanwhile, the geo-fencing solution used by Schneider is customized for the com- pany's network, drivers and operations. "We put about a million miles a day on our fleet, which means our drivers are stop- ping at a lot of different locations," says Fountain. "On any given day we know there are 50 to 75 places in the U.S. that thieves are going to target." High-risk areas are geo-fenced and driv- ers are alerted with real-time intelligence to avoid these areas or mitigate exposure. "The solution usually gives them two to three alternatives that are safer and more secure," Fountain says. ◆

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