Hosting TAPA and strengthening ties

Beyond expanding the DHL HIGHVALUE service, DHL Freight has had a long-term commitment to security in transporting high-value goods through its membership in the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA). While the association's gatherings usually take place at independent conference sites, Deutsche Post DHL (DPDHL) hosted the TAPA EMEA Q1 meeting at Deutsche Post DHL headquarters in Bonn in March 2010.

The quarterly conferences in the EMEA region brought together 200 security specialists, including customers and blue chip companies, law enforcement agencies (LEA), Deutsche Post DHL business units and competitors, to share best practices and learn about the latest solutions in global security.

As Claudia Overlack, MNC Account Manager Technology & Aerospace at DHL Freight, explains, hosting the meeting was significant for DHL on more than one level: "As one of the active members of TAPA's European chapter, we were very pleased to welcome its members here at our facilities in Germany, where TAPA really got started," she explains. "But there was also an added value for us through hosting because so many of TAPA's members are customers. It was a great networking opportunity to have them at our door."

Finding innovative ways to provide better security

A major focus of the March meeting was finding innovative ways to combat crime and provide better security. Presentations focused on risks to supply chains from terrorism, the fraudulent acquisition of freight and mobile solutions for secure supply chains. According to the European Union, theft of high value, high risk products moving through supply chains in Europe alone cost businesses some EUR8.2 billion a year. In the TAPA-run database, nearly 11,000 incidents were reported by the association's members in 2009, with vehicle thefts topping the list.

"As crime among the supply chain becomes increasingly 'professionalized,' these conferences are keeping us one big step ahead of the criminals," says Thorsten Neumann, Chairman of TAPA EMEA. "I see every delegate coming away better informed and with new ideas to take home that will provide practical solutions to their supply chains. I'd like to thank DHL Freight and the Group for their generous support during this conference."

DHL Freight has already had its first customer for its new DHL HIGHVALUE service. On April 1, 2010, DHL Freight carried out a high-value LTL transport for Rauschert Oberbettingen, a German manufacturer of construction elements in ceramics and plastic.