Organised criminal gangs are increasingly targeting trucks carrying high value loads, such as pharmaceuticals, and their attacks are becoming more violent. The stakes are high: last year in Europe a staggering £7.2bn worth of goods in transit were stolen and in December alone there were 166 incidents with a total loss of £4m.
The situation in the UK particularly appears to be a problem - accounting for nearly one-third of the thefts reported across Europe in December. There were 54 incidents in the UK, compared with only nine in Germany and seven in Spain.
Yet, despite these worrying figures produced by the Transported Asset Protection Association, some companies are still leaving their valuable assets at risk while in transit.
Cost-cutting in the recession combined with a reduction in the size of UK-based fleets has driven many manufacturers to employ truck operators who are not based in the UK. This has several pitfalls, not least the increased danger of falling prey to an organised gangs.
Drivers of foreign vehicles in the UK are often forced to park up overnight in lay-bys or unsecured parking areas when they reach the legal limit of their working hours behind the wheel. They rarely have a network of secured depots in which to rest, unlike drivers for UK-based hauliers and, when sleeping unguarded by the roadside, present a soft target for determined thieves.
The problem can be compounded by communication difficulties with drivers who speak little or no English. Often they are unaware of the sensitive nature of the goods they are carrying, or the urgency of the task in hand.
There have also been cases of drivers turning up late for assignments, having already travelled hundreds of miles from the Continent before arriving to collect their goods. Clearly this increases the risk of them having to stop before reaching their final destination and safely handing over their consignment.
Pharmaceutical companies should look for companies with drivers that are long-term employees, who are likely to have amassed experience of handling valuable loads with care and precision. The staff should be highly trained and have undergone careful security vetting.
Geodis Calberson, the UK road transport and logistics division of global logistics solutions provider Geodis, takes these risks extremely seriously and has implemented a variety of safeguards to minimise the chances of trucks being raided while out on the road
The company provides flexible solutions to clients with specialist transport needs, such as those distributing controlled drugs, and is acutely aware of the issues facing the pharmaceutical industry in the UK. It has developed a range of services that addresses the particular needs of this sensitive marketplace.
Through the Specialist Transport Services arm of its High Wycombe-based Direct Road Services Division (DRS), Geodis Calberson can provide full or part load solutions to clients who have to distribute high value cargo requiring bespoke security.
As security is of paramount concern Geodis Calberson has invested heavily in its vehicle fleet and introduced a number of security measures to protect both vehicles and drivers and so ensure the safe transportation of cargo within the pharmaceutical sector.
Within the fleet, it operates secure 13.6m box trailers with extra thick walls. All of its trucks have helicopter markings on the roof and are fully satellite tracked at all times, significantly reducing the risk to high value loads and ensuring clients" peace of mind regarding the whereabouts of their goods. Additionally, the DRS track and trace system can monitor as frequently as every five minutes, and can be set according to customer requirements.
Trailers have slam locks on the doors and all cabs are equipped with panic alarms that drivers can use if they come under threat; customers also have the option of a two-man driving team, which offers both greater security and longer hours on the road.
Recognising the need to keep transportation costs to a minimum, Geodis Calberson has invested in equipping trailers with a double deck, which allows twice the normal volume to be carried in one load, subject to weight and pallet height restrictions, improving efficiency and productivity.
To support its operation further, the company has a dedicated customer service team available 24/7, so clients can keep track of consignments and promptly alert it to any concerns. Drivers can be instructed to follow whatever operating procedures the customer stipulates in order to safeguard their consignments, so there are no compromises on safety or quality of service.
This attention to detail has helped Geodis Calberson to buck the trend of UK-based European hauliers reducing their activity in international haulage. The company is growing its presence as a UK-based haulier continuing to employ UK-based drivers.
