Secure and on time deliveries

For DHL Worldwide Phils., security has been as important as on-time delivery during its 33 years of doing business in the country. Two of the company’s express facilities –Calabarzon and the Manila Gateway–are, for example, certified by the Technology Asset Protection Association.

"We are the first company in the Philippines and the first company in many other markets to have an A rating," said country manager Charles Brewer. " The certification is a testament of our commitment to secure the supply chain for our customers. Over the years, we have invested in state-of-the-art technologies to help us deliver security solutions to our customers."

TAPA is an independent and non-profit organization set up by representatives from the manufacturing and high-tech industries, freight forwarders, and professional consulting companies to guarantee high security standards in the transportation of high value technology products, resulting in minimal losses. In the Philippines high value products such as semiconductors and electronics account for 68% of exports.

Preparations

"Over the last three years, we have invested $33 million on infrastructure. Five percent of that is related to hard security," said Brewer.

Aside from putting up infrastructure, the company has put together a team of three security managers to ensure utmost security in delivery and to constantly test the facilities. For example, the company has actually closed down two of its facilities and enacted the contingency plan to see how operations would continue if a security breach was to happen.

"Rocky Isip, our security manager for the Philippines, sits on the American Chamber of Commerce security board. He also meets with another group from the semiconductor industry and he meets with their security managers. There is regular dialogue on what is potentially going on, what could happen, where are customers going, and what do they want from security. Security is as big an issue for them as it is for us."

It has also developed procedures followed by all personnel. For example, vehicles are never left open during a delivery or a pick up.

Investment

To date, the company has invested P2 million in security for its Manila Gateway facility, where all shipments coming in and out of the Philippines pass.

"We x-ray everything coming in and everything going out. We have fairly rigorous training program on security, particularly on what the staff should do in the event of an emergency. There should always be a contingency," said Brewer.

DHL is also working with other agencies and private organizations in making the Bureau of Customs a world-class customs body. "We are talking of a seven-point solution in upgrading the system of BOC," said Brewer.

Last year, despite unfavorable economic conditions in Japan and the United States, the country’s two major markets for electronics and semiconductors, DHL managed to post growth of more than 20%. The company currently holds a 42% market share through 30 service centers and 50 retail outlets.