'Ocean Cargo Container Security' Is Top Concern of Global Supply Chain Executives in New A.T. Kearney Study Co-Sponsored by ICSC.

ORLANDO, Fla. -- Major Importers and Exporters Look to New Technologies Such as RFID-Enabled "Smart Boxes" to Enhance Both Container Security and Operational Efficiency

Ocean cargo container security ranks as the No. 1 concern among executives responsible for supply chain operations at the largest global import and export companies, according to a new report from global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney. Conducted in collaboration with the International Cargo Security Council (ICSC), an association of professionals involved in all facets of transportation security, the report and its findings were presented here at the opening of ICSC's annual conference, featuring the twin themes: "The Return on Investment of Cargo Security" and "Securing the International Supply Chain."

Executives interviewed for the report also believe that new technology solutions, such as Radio Frequency Identification (RFID)-enabled "Smart Boxes," could enhance container security as well as improve container visibility throughout the supply chain, which could also address their other major concerns about supply chain efficiency. Extensive interviews revealed that closely behind security, executives were mostly concerned about reducing inventories, lead-time variances, stock-outs and preventing the loss of containers. Participants, including ICSC members, were from the retail and consumer packaged goods, chemicals, automotive and high-tech industries, representing companies that account for 29 percent of U.S. imports.

"All along the supply chain economic security and physical security are directly linked," said Omar Hijazi, an A.T. Kearney principal who oversaw the report, entitled, "Smart Boxes: RFID Can Improve Visibility, Efficiency and Security in the Global Supply Chain." "It now makes good business sense to improve security using advanced technologies such as RFID because of the associated benefits in operational and administrative efficiency. We found that most companies were already building a solid business case for deploying advanced technologies to solve the new-age issue of security and the age-old issues of reliability and efficiency."

"Through research like this with A.T. Kearney, ICSC is committed to providing insights and educational forums that help the global supply chain community ensure the safety, security and efficiency of their operations," said Joe Baker, ICSC's executive director. "The report underscores what ICSC has emphasized for more than 30 years: Governments, shippers, carriers, service and solution providers must put aside their sometimes differing issues and work together when they share common issues around cargo security and efficiency."

The study pointed out that container shipments account for 90 percent of world trade, are growing at a 5 percent compound annual rate, and an average of about 14 containers come into U.S. ports every minute. Today, about 95 percent of these containers are not inspected for weapons of mass destruction or other types of security threats. One chemical executive said that for certain import and export products, his company is willing to do "whatever it takes to guarantee container security."

"Unreliable data," caused by manual entry and disparate information systems, emerged as an underlying theme of the respondent's concerns. Said one retail executive, "Sixty to 65 percent of my data regarding container movement is timely and accurate. The 35 to 40 percent of remaining data is missing or inaccurate."

The interviewees were asked to rank and quantify the potential operational and security benefits of receiving more accurate and timely data, such as could be provided by "Smart Boxes" equipped with RFID devices within an information network. The study found a total average benefit of $1,150 per container journey, with most of that coming from the savings of tightening supply lines.

The study found that in recent years most executives had focused the bulk of their resources on improving their domestic (U.S.) supply chains. However, in the "post-9/11 world" their companies are increasingly turning their attention to new technologies that can help them improve the security and efficiency of their over-ocean supply chains, and to conform with government programs such as the Customs Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT), which has encouraged the use of "Smart Boxes" for faster clearance through U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

A copy of "Smart Boxes: RFID Can Improve Visibility, Efficiency and Security in the Global Supply Chain" is available from http://www.atkearney.com/main.taf?p=5,3,1,98. The report can also be downloaded from ICSC's web site at: http://www.cargosecurity.com/ncsc/ resources/smart_boxes_atk_may_2005.pdf (Due to its length, this URL may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove the extra space if one exists.)

About A.T. Kearney

A.T. Kearney (www.atkearney.com) is one of the world's largest management consulting firms. With a global presence that includes offices in 56 business centers in 36 countries, spanning major and emerging markets, A.T. Kearney provides strategic, operational, organizational and technology consulting and executive search services to the world's leading companies. A.T. Kearney is the high-value management consulting subsidiary of global services leader EDS.

About ICSC

The International Cargo Security Council, based in Annapolis, MD, is an association of 1,200 cargo transportation and security professionals from the entire spectrum of the cargo industry: air, truck/rail, maritime, and inter-modal. ICSC members are committed to assuring the safe and secure movement of the nation's commerce. ICSC was known as the National Cargo Security Council for 34 years, but in December 2004 renamed itself to reflect formation of a European Chapter, based in Brussels, Belgium.