BDP EVALUATES SHIPPERS? SUPPLY CHAIN SECURITY

BDP EVALUATES SHIPPERSÆ SUPPLY CHAIN SECURITY    BDP International has set up a consulting unit for shippers to meet risk management requirements under the U.S. Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism program.
   BDP’s Centrix will help shippers develop and implement comprehensive programs to enhance security both internally and between their suppliers and customers.
   “The challenges in the wake of Sept. 11, 2001, are extraordinary, but so are the benefits for early adopters willing to address global supply chain security requirements in concert with their corporate risk management growth strategies,” said Richard J. Bolte Jr., president of the Philadelphia-based firm. “Our intellectual capital and proven experience in process- and data-integration are key to successfully migrating to C-TPAT.”
   BDP operates offices in more than 20 cities throughout North America and a network of wholly owned subsidiaries, joint ventures and strategic partnerships in 140 countries. The company serves more than 4,000 customers, such as Air Products and Chemicals, Dow Chemical Co., DuPont, Eastman Chemical, General Chemical, Heineken USA, Honeywell, Johnson & Johnson, Osram Sylvania, Rohm & Haas, and Trek Bicycle.
   “Global supply chain and logistics managers who select a proper C-TPAT integration model not only will minimize disruptions but even can expect to see hard-cost benefits,” Bolte said. “But they need to start now by evaluating current supply chain security, assessing the cost and timing of implementation, establishing value propositions and assessing organizational readiness to implement and support migration to C-TPAT.”
   Under C-TPAT, Customs requires full shipment tracking from point of origin, expanding the perimeter of security to make U.S. ports of entry the final barrier against terrorism. By 2005, antiterrorism legislation calls for mandatory checks, with importer and exporter accountability for shipments in all risk classifications.