I n an increasingly porous security environment, judicious use of effective container seals is a no-brainer. But it’s as much about the seal as how it’s used in the supply chain, says Aluvin managing director Kevin Norwitz. “While radio frequency is the way of the future, it’s taken a long time to get off the ground because of the costs involved. “The technology is there and it works, but because of the extent of the supply chain – with a container moving from Durban to Singapore, for example, the scope of the project is big and therefore the costs are big and that’s what has scared people off. The barrier to entry of getting it commercialised has been the cost.” Most people are still using more traditional plastic seals, metal seals, bolts and barrier seals –and they work, says Norwitz. “But in the logistics field it depends on the application. Every seal serves a different purpose and comes at a different cost. If you’re moving a container full of electronic goods or high-end clothing you can’t take chances, you need to use high quality bolt seals or cable seals which are ISO certified – and those are high security products.” And while a seal can be cut, it’s designed in such a way that once cut it can’t be put together again. “So the seal is one part of the solution – the other is using it in a properly controlled system. Each seal has a unique number and this needs to be monitored and checked either manually or using bar codes or radio frequency. “It’s about using a high quality seal and then using it in a system that has checks and balances from A to Z.” The challenge, says Norwitz, is to give the customer value. “If you’re sealing a container filled with goods worth millions of rands you can’t afford to play games with the seal. “There’s no off-the-shelf solution. The system is managed and run by the user but we give advice on how that system should be designed and how it should work.” And it’s not rocket science. “You need to make sure you buy the right seal in the first place, make sure you’re looking after the seals and that they’re locked away so that people aren’t manipulating numbers. “Each seal has a name to identify where it comes from as well as a number – and the number is how you track and trace the seal. Critically important is to check whether the number is correct and to check that the seal is intact and hasn’t been tampered with. “From our point of view it’s important to stay at the cutting edge of new products which we do through our network of international partners.”
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It’s about using a high quality seal and then using it in a system that has checks and balances from A to Z. – Kevin Norwitz
