3PL/Logistics

With the economic downturn impacting businesses all over the world, one activity that really shouldn't be allowed to erode profits further is cargo crime

According to its latest data for Q2 2009, Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) members in the Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) region reported 525 incidents of crime, with total losses valued at €122 million

To date this year, TAPA EMEA has attracted 36 new members - bringing its total membership in the region to an all-time high of more than 260 companies, which, says TAPA EMEA chairman Thorsten Neumann, shows the importance that manufacturers and their logistics and transport suppliers place on tackling cargo crime

UPS is the latest to sign up UPS operates more than 2,700 facilities worldwide, serving 79 million customers a day and delivering almost 4 billion packages and documents year

According to Howard Stone, Europe region SCS & Aviation Security for UPS, security has always been a high priority for the company, and it will now work with security professionals from other transportation industry stakeholders and manufacturers to further develop safeguards and standards to improve and enhance global supply chain security

As well as new transport and logistics members from across the region, TAPA EMEA's membership has also been boosted this year with the arrival of many high profile manufacturers

"While other associations have seen their membership drop off as businesses have cut back, TAPA EMEA is going from strength to strength," said Neumann "We are continuing to provide real benefits to members through crime intelligence, enhanced security standards, networking opportunities and our continued dialogue with bodies such as the EU on the compatibility of our Freight Security Requirements (FSR) with AEO"