Smart logistics and a good lock work in intermodal high value transport

Customer case

BAS GROUP (RABEN)

The Bas Group (soon to become Raben) is a major player in the field of intermodal transport of high-value goods. Every week, Bas Transport sends 100 units containing high-value goods to Italy by train. BAS Transport relies on SBS locks to secure its cargo – but safe transport takes more than just good locks.

“For us, it all starts with the definition of what you mean by high-value goods”, says former General Manager Operations Ton van de Donk. “Every container or trailer that we put on the train contains high-value goods. Our line to Italy always consists of groupage. So you might have a couple of boxes of phones at the front, two pallets of washing powder at the back and whatever else inbetween. That spread instantly becomes part of the security solution. In doing so, we are standardizing. Our containers are being phased out and we are also phasing out container transport. Soon everything will only go in trailers. That will be more universally deployable but above all uniformly secure."

Just in time delivery

“The problem with unescorted transport is the limited control. That is why we leave it as close to the train’s departure time as possible before delivering our trailers and containers to the terminal. That way, we don’t have to leave our consignments standing at the terminal which, naturally, is always a risk.”

GPS tracker

Smart delivery is not enough. “All our trailers are fitted with a GPS tracker, not just so that we can see where the trailer is but also to reduce waiting times at the destination terminals. Half an hour from the terminal, we will have set up a geofence so that as soon as the train passes through it, our driver receives a message telling him to be in position in 30 minutes. It’s secure and saves a lot of hanging around.”

SBS locks

The BAS Group also uses SBS locks. “Our trailers have a mechanical or an electronic lock – some even have both. We can unlock the digital lock remotely or using a code. The red mechanical lock is installed on the outside of the door. Part of the extra security provided lies in showing that you have fitted an extra lock. Van de Donk is complimentary about the quality of the SBS locks. “The electronic locks do require more maintenance and you have to keep tight control over the use of the codes. But the mechanical locks continue to amaze me: after all, they are on the outside. And yet if you look after them properly, they can go on for as long as a trailer.”

But there's more to the security solution than that

“It goes without saying that our site in Raamsdonksveer is extremely secure. But we still fit every trailer – empty or full – with an SBS kingpin lock. And we keep the doors closed which makes it impossible for criminals to tell whether a trailer is full or empty.” “Loading can also be a weak point. At some point, there will be a number of pallets with expensive electronics in your warehouse. “Yes, that is true. But then you have to be able to see that. Those pallets are wrapped in the same neutral foil as thousands of other pallets in our warehouse. Of course, you have to be able to trust your staff on this. After all, theft from the inside is a familiar scenario. But everyone on the floor is screened. The entire warehouse is also divided into zones, with locks that only open with your tag. Or not if you don’t have the right clearance. And then everything is logged as well.”

High value goods by road

The Bas group also transports many high value goods by road. “For example, in addition to our traffic to Italy, we also have between 40 and 50 shipments to Spain every week. These are always block loads,” says Ton. “And again, what exactly is high value? With us, it is never so extreme that we have to send extra security behind it. But of course, we do take the necessary measures. To start with, we drive with anonymous cars and we only go to our destination via the major roads. In addition to extra locks, our customers can also follow the shipment in real time via our GPS tracking. And the old adage applies here: a truck at rest is a truck at risk. So we only stop at well guarded parking areas.”