DHL Express Bahrain achieves 100% score in security audit

With DHL's Regional Distribution Centre in Bahrain achieving this accolade with a 100% score, the company breaks its own previous TAPA certification of 99.44% previously held in the UAE, the highest among DHL Express facilities across EEMEA.

TAPA is a professional association of high-tech industries, freight forwarders, integrators and consultants, promoting higher security standards in the international shipping and air cargo industry. Certification is awarded only after a rigorous and detailed evaluation of freight security systems and procedures by independent auditors.

"We are proud of this score and it is rewarding to see the regional facilities of DHL Express continuing to set new benchmarks for the industry and surpassing our own high standards. DHL Express recognizes that providing customers with a secure supply chain is critical to business effectiveness, as well as our reputation as the world's leading express and logistics solutions provider,"

explained Michel Akavi, Area Director Middle East, DHL Express.

"The TAPA certification endorses our stringent security standards and adds improved value to the services we provide locally and globally. With this record result, our customers will be confident that we have the established freight security practices to ensure a secure network and safe in-transit warehousing of high value products. In short we have taken the lead in providing a secure world-class service", added Bachi Spiga, Head of Operations Middle East, DHL Express.

Research analysis by TAPA on incidents of security breach, indicates that the implementation of its tough measures through TAPA Freight Security Requirements, certification of warehouse premises, increased CCTV coverage, access control and other general security controls, have impacted positively and reduced the security issues reported.

This certification is the second for DHL Express Bahrain. In May 2006, DHL Bahrain was the first express and logistics company in the region to receive the TAPA Classification, a certificate which is awarded to facilities that comply with a set standard of security.

DHL Express currently has 16 TAPA certified facilities in the Middle East region, with several more facilities planned for accreditation this year. The company has made substantial investments in human resources, state-of-the-art technology and infrastructure to develop and secure the supply chain. The global security policies followed by Deutsche Post World Net (DPWN), the parent company of DHL Express, including security training for staff and advanced security measures at all facilities, have assisted in the regional facilities regularly qualifying for TAPA certifications.