NRS Becomes One of the First Transport Providers in US to Receive New TAPA Construction for Supply Chain

JOC Staff |
HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, NJ (April 3, 2012) -- National Retail Systems, Inc. (NRS), a leading provider of logistics services to U.S. retailers, pharmaceutical companies and consumer goods manufacturers, today announced that the company has received certification from the Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) for full compliance with TAPA's new Trucking Security Requirements (TSR 2012) program.

NRS is one of only two transportation providers in the United States to receive TSR 2012 certification. The SGS Group, a global leader in inspection, verification, testing and certification services, performed the certification audit. According to TAPA guidelines, SGS TSR 2012 certifications are awarded following two separate audits of a company's security operations related to policy/procedures and actual practice, including a physical inspection of the company's truck fleet.

NRS operates a 200-acre distribution campus in Secaucus, N.J.; more than 1.2 million square feet of automated distribution center space in Los Angeles; a 140,000 square-foot high-speed transload center three miles from the Port of Savannah; and dozens of trucking terminals nationwide moving more than 1 billion pounds of consumer products per year.

This is further validation of the industry-leading processes and technology we have implemented at NRS to ensure our customers can move their products in a secure end-to-end network, said John Tabor, NRS Director of Corporate Security. The threat of cargo crime is only increasing and we are taking every measure possible to safeguard our company and our customers, while working with law enforcement nationwide to stop the threat.

TSR 2012 has been established to ensure the safe and secure transportation of any TAPA member's assets throughout the world by specifying the minimum acceptable standards for security throughout the supply chain. TSR 2012 outlines the process and specification for carriers to achieve compliance for their trucking operations. It is the intention of TAPA members to select carriers that meet or exceed TSR 2012 compliance requirements.

Cargo theft is a multi-billion dollar problem worldwide and, according to crime statistics, an average of 85 percent of all major cargo thefts occur during road transportation, said Alan F. Spear, Chairman of TAPA Americas. TAPA believes that TSR certifications will result in members seeing a continued reduction in crime involving vehicles worldwide.

NRS ownership has invested significant capital in our security program to ensure the safe movement of our clients' shipments, Tabor said. Our loss history, or lack thereof, is testament to that commitment. Working with TAPA, we can verify to prospective clients through this certification that we are industry best.

ABOUT NRS
Since 1953, National Retail Systems Inc. has pioneered many of the retail logistics processes considered cutting edge today. The company operates an international network of transportation and distribution assets focused on one goal--delivering efficient and reliable logistics solutions to America's leading brands. NRS delivers competitive supply chain advantage--from factory all the way to the store--offering factory pick-up in Asia; international consolidation; freight forwarding; value-added services; import management; transload; distribution and warehousing; DC bypass; nationwide full-truckload and LTL transportation; pool point services; dedicated fleets; yard management; and store delivery.



For more information, visit www.nrsonline.com



ABOUT TAPA

Transported Asset Protection Association (TAPA) is an association of security professionals and related business partners from companies who manufacture higher value goods and the supply chain industry who have organized themselves for the purpose of addressing the emerging security threats that are common to the value industry supply chain. A fundamental TAPA objective is to affect positive change in the security practices of the freight transportation and insurance communities as a whole. Major freight service providers are moving toward TAPA-recognized security standards for the care and handling of freight.



Additional information can be found at www.tapaonline.org



ABOUT SGS

The SGS Group is the global leader and innovator in inspection, verification, testing and certification services. Founded in 1878, SGS is recognized as the global benchmark in quality and integrity. With more than 70,000 employees, SGS operates a network of over 1,250 offices and laboratories around the world.