Fleet Management News & Business Info | Commercial Carrier Journal
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/555101
46 COMMERCIAL CARRIER JOURNAL | AUGUST 2015 • At each stop, communicating with dispatch and inspecting equipment to confirm that the load is intact; and • Reviewing weekly security updates to keep them informed about truck stops that recently have been hit by thieves and help them adhere to safer and more secure routes. While these steps may sound like com- mon sense, it takes a carrier that values safety first and always to turn common sense into common practice and lock down security for shippers. Bobo emphasizes the importance of preparing and educating drivers and owner-operators. "We apply a three- pronged approach," he says. "We address expectations during onboarding, we regularly communicate the locations and types of thefts that are occurring, and we incorporate cargo theft-preventable measures into our quarterly training sessions." In addition to educating drivers to be smarter and savvier, Schneider's Expe- dited Team uses the latest technology to keep freight safe. For the consumer electronics provider, Schneider's trailer- tracking system continuously monitored each of the company's trailers, sending alerts when a door had been opened or otherwise had been compromised. This technology also can determine if a trailer is loaded or empty, and for cus- tomers who want to imbed covert track- ing capabilities into the actual product being moved, Schneider can monitor for irregularities and receive alerts when the freight itself is altered or disturbed. For the record, Schneider's Expedited Services Team has had zero load thefts – none ever. "Yes, we have the right technologies in place, but it's just as important that our drivers and operations teams are consis- tently doing the right things," Bobo says. Results speak for themselves CargoNet, a cargo theft prevention and recovery company, says that Schneider's year-over-year drop in thefts is indeed a remarkable accomplishment – especially in light of current statistics that reveal an ever-increasing sophistication among criminals. CargoNet's 2014 fi ndings indicate that the overall number of stolen freight loads that occurred throughout the transportation industry continue to de- cline. However, the company's research points out that the value of stolen freight actually increased, especially in the food and beverage and pharmaceutical categories. Food and beverage accounted for 22 percent of cargo thefts within the trans- portation industry in 2014 – making it the most stolen commodity. The average loss value of truckload thefts of phar- maceuticals in the industry increased by more than 23 percent. CargoNet says this data demonstrates that thieves are getting smarter and more selective when targeting high-value loads, making Schneider's banner anti-theft year in 2014 even more impressive. In fact, Schneider has not encountered a pharmaceutical load theft since 2004. "Having no cargo thefts over the last year sets the benchmark for the rest of the industry to work toward," says Anthony Canale, CargoNet general manager. For the consumer electronics manu- facturer, deploying Schneider's enhanced security protocols made a significant difference within the manufacturer's sup- ply chain: That company has not had one single full-load theft since Schneider was brought on as a carrier in 2006. CC J I N N O VATO R S pro les carriers and eets that have found innovative ways to overcome trucking's challenges. If you know a carrier that has displayed innovation, contact Je Crissey at jcrissey@ccjmagazine.com or 800-633-5953. To be successful, we can't rely solely on doing one thing flawlessly. – Brian Bobo, vice president of enterprise security, Schneider Schneider's trailer- tracking system continuously monitors each of the company's trailers on the road.