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New security for Dawn Distribution Centre

Active in the building, plumbing, petrochemical, agricultural, and mining sectors, Dawn distributes some 30 000 products from over 1200 suppliers to over 10 000 customers. Its brands include: WHDSA, Saffer – Bathroom & Plumbing, Stability, Incledon, The AFF Group, AST, Cobra, LA-CO, Lasher Tools, Isca, DPI Plastics, Libra Bathroomware, Vaal Sanitaryware’s, Saffer International, Dawn Cargo and the Dawn Distribution Centre.

The distribution network covers South Africa, as well as Angola, Nigeria, Mozambique, Botswana, Swaziland, Lesotho and Namibia. Negotiations for channels in Tanzania, Malawi, Kenya and Mauritius are well advanced. A distribution fleet of some 120 trucks, advanced information technology infrastructure, and strong relationships with customers and suppliers give Dawn its competitive edge. Dawn was rated 8th best company in South Africa in the Financial Mail Annual Top 20 Companies Awards in 2006, and 6th in the Sunday Times Business Times Top 100 Companies Awards in 2005.

Largest distribution centre in southern Africa

Dawn moved into a new facility that was the largest distribution centre in southern Africa. Due to a rising global need for security, it asked local installer IDTek to recommend a best-of-class security solution. IDTek advised installing three systems: access control, video surveillance, and fire detection. For this sizeable project, IDTek asked UTCFS to assist with its design and installation.

UTCFS and IDTek’s joint solution consists of three systems: fire detection, access control and a video surveillance system.

The video surveillance system consists of over 70 cameras, placed at strategic points throughout the facility. These cameras are connected to digital hard disk recorders, which allow Dawn Distribution Centre to store important images 24/7. Secondly, fire detectors are placed in indoor areas like warehouses and offices, detecting and reporting any possible threat. Finally, to ensure the privacy of restricted areas, the access points to these rooms are secured with badge readers which will only open doors to those who present the correct key card.

All security applications at Dawn Distribution Centre are monitored and operated from a central control room, enabling security personnel to work in an efficient way and making sure they can act fast when a threat presents itself.

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