Cargo Protection Group Sees Record Growth

The Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) showed a record year of membership growth despite the economic downturn, says Thorsten Neumann. This is testimony to the importance manufacturers and their logistics and transport suppliers place on tackling cargo crime, according to the TAPA chairman.

TAPA's European, Middle East and Africa (EMEA) group has attracted 36 new members so far in 2009, said Neumann. This takes total membership in the region to an all-time high of over 260 companies.

UPS is the latest to join. UPS serves 7.9 million customers a day and delivered 3.9 billion packages and documents in 2008. Combined with its supply chain and freight services activities, the company has over 2,700 operating facilities worldwide.

Howard Stone, Europe Region SCS and Aviation Security for UPS, said: “UPS is pleased to become a member of TAPA EMEA. Security has always been a high priority at UPS. We look forward to working with the 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 with the arrival of a host of high profile manufacturers, including Electrolux, Procter & Gamble, Samsung Electronics and Sony Ericsson, Neumann added.

According to its latest data for the second quarter of 2009, TAPA EMEA members reported 525 incidents of crime with a total loss value of €12.2 million ($18.1 million).