Stopping Theft a Shared Responsibility

ATLANTA — The responsibility for preventing cargo theft is shared by everyone in the logistics chain.

So said participants in the Transportation Loss Prevention & Security Council’s annual conference, which ran from April 11 to 13.

“Supply chain theft is a function of everyone involved in the process,” said Erik Hoffer, president of CGM Security Solutions, a transportation security firm. “If you don’t spend money or take ownership of the loss, nothing will get done,” he said in a presentation aimed at carriers and shippers.

If cargo is stolen en route to its receiver, there are consequences for everyone, he noted:

Cargo theft results in lost revenue, higher insurance and angry customers.

Carriers face damage to their reputation, vulnerability to repeat thefts as well as the loss of equipment.

Companies have to remanufacture and reship the goods.

Businesses face reduced demand when stolen goods are sold at bargain prices.

Mark Schnupp, manager of corporate security at retail giant Dayton Hudson Corp., said shippers and receivers are beginning to pay attention to cargo theft, noting it is an uphill fight to get a handle on all aspects.

Retailers must protect merchandise from theft by shoplifters as well as employees, but when it comes to cargo theft, “we’re getting our butts kicked,” he said.

For the full story, see the April 19 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.