‘It fell off the back of a lorry’ is a common phrase for a reason: supply chain theft is a highly prevalent crime.
Supply chain theft is a common occurrence in many countries around the world, but the country in Europe where it happens the most is the UK. A study conducted by the British Standards Institution (BSI) found that food, fuel and automotive parts are the products most at risk of supply chain theft.
The same study found that, no doubt as a result of the current cost of living crisis and massively inflated global food prices, almost one in five (18%) of all global cargo thefts were of food items.
Theft within the supply chain industry can have a hugely negative impact on the
quality of temperature-sensitive products as well as on the bottom line for
suppliers. Businesses rarely accept that they will make a loss. Instead, theft losses are passed back to the consumer, making them pay more for goods. This puts a greater strain on the supply chain and ultimately on the wallets of businesses and consumers.
Cargo theft is a real issue for many businesses right now. Freight crime costs the United Kingdom economy some £420 million (€485m) a year, according to a report by NaVCIS, the National Vehicle Crime Intelligence Service. But using the right pallet blankets can minimise the risk of supply chain theft. Here is a full breakdown of why pallet blankets should be built with anti-theft in mind:
How To Minimise The Risk Of Cargo Theft
There are many ways in which supply chain businesses can mitigate the risks of supply chain theft. Some of these measures include:
- Using information and intelligence about where your cargo will be travelling to
pinpoint high-risk areas. These could be areas with higher-than-
average levels of pallet thefts. You should also consider avoiding transporting your cargo at times that thieves usually strike, if your cargo is taking a relatively short journey. - If your cargo is travelling by road transit, then install GPS on your trailers as well as just on your trucks. This way if trailers are removed you always know where they are too.
- If transporting loads with especially high value, then consider using teams of drivers rather than a single driver.
- Use high-quality pallet blankets that have been built with anti-theft in mind and are equipped with features that will make opening those pallets mid-journey very difficult.
The Importance of Pallet Blankets with Anti-Theft Features
There are many benefits of using pallet covers. They protect vulnerable cargo from the elements and from insects, dirt, and other outside contaminants. But pallet blankets also play a vital role in protecting the contents of pallets from theft. Once your shipment pallet is sealed with a pallet cover, it makes it very difficult for someone to steal the goods inside.
Some pallet covers are equipped with tamper-evident features. These pallet covers can be sealed with individually numbered pull through security seals and are made from thick, rip-proof materials that are difficult to rip or break. That means the only point of access is through the security seal. These seals will act as a deterrent against theft, particularly from individuals working inside your organisation. And should a theft occur, you will immediately be aware as your seal will be broken.
Another anti theft feature that all pallet blankets boast is that they are completely opaque. This acts as a deterrent against theft as it makes it very difficult for opportunistic thieves to know what is inside each pallet. If a cargo ship contains a pallet full of inexpensive bin bags alongside a pallet full of pricey car parts, how will you know which pallet is which when both are covered in fully opaque blankets?
Finally, pallets that are covered are more difficult to steal items from. In order to access the cargo inside the whole cover must be removed, and this is not something that you can do in a second or two. This is especially important for businesses that transport high-value or sensitive goods. Without the proper authorization it is very tricky for individuals to access or remove items that have been correctly secured to a pallet using a pallet cover or pallet blanket.
Choosing the Right Anti-Theft Pallet Blankets
Some of the best anti-theft pallet blanket options from TLX Cargo include:
| TLX4 | This is a high-performance Thermal Pallet Cover, designed to give extended protection for goods. It is waterproof and 1mm thick. |
| TLX PCM | This is the first Thermal Pallet Cover to incorporate Phase Change Material (PCM) into its structure. It is Strong, flexible, easy to handle, as well as being fully waterproof. |
| TLX2 | This is a cargo cover that prevents damage caused by rain, snow and insects. It is a great first defence to your shipments from theft and tampering whilst still being easy to install or remove quickly and easily. |
Some transporters are deterred from utilising pallet blankets due to the perceived expense.
But the expense of losing uncovered cargo is much greater than
the expense of inviting in pallet blankets in the first place. What’s more, since thermal covers are reusable, you can invest in them upfront for years to come because they are designed to last. If a spill occurs, simply wash or wipe it off of the thermal pallet blanket using cold water and mild soap. The only reason you will ever need to replace a pallet cover is if it is roughly handled to the extent that a hole or tear occurs.
There are many benefits of using pallet blankets. But if theft is a real concern for your business, then this is a key reason to utilise pallet blankets on all of your cargo. Pallet blankets are constructed with anti-theft features in mind and will keep your cargo as safe as possible for the duration of its journey.
Why not get in touch? We would love to hear from you. Our helpful team are on hand to help, simply call 01204 695666 or contact us here.
