U-Freight Gains Security Accreditation for Logistics Warehouse in Hong Kong

Hong Kong, China, January 17, 2008 --(PR.com)-- The latest approval follows earlier re-certification in July this year of U-Freight’s Hong Kong import and logistics warehouse at Kwai Chung, as well as the recent accreditation of its Shanghai logistics hub.

In addition, U-Freight’s facilities at Changi Logistics Centre and Changi Airfreight Centre in Singapore are accredited to TAPA FSR 2007 (Transported Asset Protection Association, Freight Security Requirements, 2007 Revision).

The Asia-based international freight services group is determined to play an active role in the development of freight security in the supply chain. It sees the TAPA accreditation scheme as a means of proving that it is committed to maintaining a secure environment, preserving the integrity of each of its freight facilities around the world and protecting its customers’ assets at every stage of the transportation process.

Accreditation at Yuen Long followed assessment by auditors from Lloyd’s Register Quality Assurance (LRQA) to ensure that the security operations, management system and related trucking operations conform to the most recent TAPA FSR 2007 requirements.

The TAPA FSR 2007 audit scrutinises many different operational aspects of the logistics hub, collectively, are rated in one of three classes; A, B or C. Classification A is only awarded to warehouses that meet the strictest security requirements, where it is apparent that freight is guaranteed to be secure at every point in the supply chain process.

The Yuen Long hub is operated by wholly-owned subsidiary, U-Freight Logistics, which was established in 2002 to provide full scale, fully-customised logistics solutions and total supply chain management facilities.

One of three units available to U-Freight Logistics in Hong Kong, the 60,000 sq. ft. facility can be customised and modified to individual customer requirements.

Its primary function is to provide cross-docking logistics services and temperature-controlled storage and distribution facilities. In addition, the warehouse serves as a CFS for oceanfreight handling and processing.

Simon Wong, Chief Executive Officer of the U-Freight Group, said: “This purpose-built facility incorporates the latest in security and logistical initiatives to ensure that U-Freight is at the cutting edge of international trade and logistics, now and into the future.

“Certification and membership of TAPA complements our existing security arrangements and provides a globally acknowledged standard for the protection of goods in transit.”

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Notes to editors: TAPA is a non-profit organisation, first established in the USA with the aim of setting new industry standards to reduce the risk of loss in the manufacture, transportation and distribution of high technology products.

Prior to 1997, when forwarding companies transported goods; compensation for lost or damaged goods was based on the Warsaw Treaty (1929). This treaty allowed for compensation in the event of loss or damage to the goods of up to US$20/kg. However, given that the value of most, if not all hi-tech goods is well above that level (averaging US$5,000/kg), this level was unacceptable to most hi-tech companies. In order to obtain potentially higher levels of compensation from their own all-risks insurance, hi-tech companies recognised that they had to enforce higher standards of security for goods in transit if they were to convince insurers.

Because of this, a group of high profile companies joined together and established TAPA. Soon after, freight-forwarders joined the association and today TAPA certification is the hi-tech industry's de-facto global standard of security.