New security seal gets the SAB stamp of approval

South African Breweries (SAB)
is set to implement a new
security system following a
successful trial run.
According to Neil Thynsma,
SAB primary distribution divisional
manager, the trials for the use of
indicative security seals on SAB’s
taut liners saw shrinkage reduced.
“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 new security system will see
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.
According to Thynsma the vehicle
is loaded and checked
under camera surveillance at gate
security, where 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,” he says.
According to Thuynsma, one
of the advantages of the system
is the time saved. “Fifty percent
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.
According to Vikela Aluvin,
suppliers of the seals to SAB, the
trials were an opportunity to iron out
any teething problems.
“With more than 210 000 taut
liner trips a year this is an account
we take very seriously,” said Tanya
Buitendach, Aluvin national
sales manager.