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Identifying Risk in Your Supply Chain

“Cargo at Rest is Cargo at Risk” is a mantra of supply chain security experts everywhere and highlights the risk your cargo is exposed to as it moves from point to point in your supply chain.  This simple saying accurately identifies the weakest point in many supply chains – the point at which finished goods leave the manufacturing facility or warehouse enroot to the customer. It is important to ask: when was the last time you conducted an all-encompassing study of your supply chain security efforts and accurately identified all security in place at each segment of your supply chain, from receipt of raw materials to shipment of finished goods?

Chances are very good that when a thorough study is conducted, you will find the majority of your efforts and capital expenditure are focused on plants and warehouses and not on in-transit operations.

Examining supply chain security every step of the way

Consider a typical manufacturing facility, building desirable electronic products in Mexico.  Such a facility likely will have fences, electric gates, security guards, guard tour monitoring and documentation equipment, burglar alarm, electronic access control, pre-employment screening, background checks, random drug tests and procedures to restrict access to shipping and receiving areas, pre-loading trailer inspections, numbered high security trailer seals and regular security inspections and audits.

Comparatively, when that same company lists all security in place for the cargo in transit, the list would likely read: driver background checks, GPS tracking, numbered high-security seals and timed departures and arrivals with measured transit times.

As the cargo enters the U.S. and arrives at your U.S. distribution center, the list of security enhancements in place is likely comparable to those in your manufacturing plant.

Is your security missing at key supply chain junctures?

The simple process of conducting a study of security enhancements in use at each component of your supply chain will correctly identify where security exists and more importantly, where it is absent.  Being able to articulate where a need exists to mitigate a risk is the first important step in securing scarce resources for much-needed security enhancements.

Rampart Group can aid in an effective and thorough review and analysis of your supply chain risk and help develop robust supply chain security into every phase of your operations.  Cargo at rest doesn’t have to be at risk!  Contact Rampart Group today for more information.

Kathy Leodler Chief Executive Officer Email:kathy.l@rampartgroup.com Phone: (360) 981-2703 PI License #3555

Paul Leodler Executive Vice President Email:paul.l@rampartgroup.com Phone: (360) 981-3397 PI License #4180

We at Rampart Group are committed to your security. Call 1-800 421-0614 or contact us today with your security or investigative needs.