printer friendly version

Brewing a new security system

South African Breweries (SAB) has completed trials for the use of indicative security seals on its taut liners. The seals are supplied to SAB by Vikela Aluvin (Aluvin) South Africa’s largest manufacturer and supplier of security sealing products and solutions.

Neil Thuynsma, SAB primary distribution divisional manager, says that the trials were a success and that shrinkage has been reduced as a result. “Our customer feedback has been very positive especially in terms of the significant reduction in the middle crate syndrome – where the contents of a crate in the middle of the load are stolen,” says Thuynsma.

The system entails every taut liner load being sealed in a specific configuration, for the back trailer, six seals on the curtain (three on each side) and two on the ratchets, and, for the front trailer, one seal on each side of the trailer and two on the ratchets bringing to 12 the total number

of seals for each trip. Each seal is embossed with a unique number and either SAB or ABI.

The vehicle is loaded, checked under camera surveillance at gate security, and the driver signs that the paperwork and the truck contents agree. The security seals are then applied and their unique numbers recorded. At the destination, the seals are checked by security and, if there are any discrepancies or evidence of tampering, the load is offloaded, isolated and fully audited.

According to Thuynsma, one of the advantages of the system is the time saved. “50% of the cost of a vehicle is its fixed cost, which basically translates into time. If a vehicle arrives with seals intact, which is most often the case, the truck does not have to be fully audited and is allowed to drive straight into the warehouse saving significantly on time,” he says. “This is in spite of the fact that random checks are still carried out on two pallets.”

If there is any irregularity with the seals, any missing stock is charged to the transport contractor while, in the case of the seals being intact but product missing, the depot can charge the factory. “This accountability is perhaps the most significant plus of the system,” says Thuynsma.

Aluvin national sales manager Tanya Buitendach says the trials have given her company the opportunity to learn about the SAB process. “We have ironed out some initial teething problems and we are now on track to ensure the success of the system going forward.”

“With more than 210 000 taut liner trips a year this is an account we are taking very seriously,” she concluded.

Share this article:

Further reading: