Warehousing is a vital component of the transport and logistics value chain. In addition to cutting-edge resources and infrastructure, businesses need a secure environment from where they are able to co-ordinate their distribution, or “smart” warehousing operations.
Bridgewater Logistics’ state-of-the-art warehouse in Pomona, Kempton Park, serves as a staging and storage-management hub for many South African businesses. They operate in a myriad of sectors, spanning high-end retail products through to industrial items.
The 20 000 square metre (m2) property with 9 000 m2 of floor space under roof is under constant CCTV surveillance by leading security specialist, Havensec Solutions, a sister company of Bridgewater Logistics.
The company also played a prominent role in the selection of critical access control technology at the facility. Importantly, the system provides ease of access to and exit from the warehousing operation, while bolstering the already-high security standards there.
“We were among the first of a handful of South African companies to install this international technology,” says Quinton de Villiers, managing director of Bridgewater Logistics.
“Our warehousing arm is a vital component of our comprehensive supply-chain solution. We, therefore, wanted the best security system to benefit our clients, many of which have representatives who use our available office space on a daily basis to conduct their operations,” De Villiers says.
Employees, clients and contractors are all registered on a central database that provides them with quick and easy access to the facility.
New visitors register on a tablet at the main gate, before being directed to the reception area by security personnel.
They then enter their name and surname, as well as mobile number on a touchscreen terminal, and scan their access cards.
The host is notified by e-mail of the arrival of the visitors, who receive and read a company safety alert. They are also afforded the opportunity familiarise themselves with site evacuation plans and procedures, before undergoing a safety induction, which includes general site information.
Once they have completed a short questionnaire and acknowledged the process, they accept a badge with a QR code, providing access to the warehousing operation.
This in only valid for a single visit and it is returned to security upon departure. Security personnel scan the code on the badge and access card to complete the process.
“Bridgewater Logistics’ management believes that this is the easiest manner in which to verify and grant onsite access, and we are proud to be one of a few local companies to have such a system. The very positive feedback we have received from our clients bears testament to its success, and we are now in the process of introducing it to other facilities,” he concludes.
