Unisto - The Interview - Warehouse & Logistics News

Unisto is the market-leading supplier of security seals, and via the acquisition of Encrypta Electronics in 2002 provided the first effective reusable security seals for trailers and containers back in the mid 1980’s, when they were pioneered by former Bletchley Park code expert Gill Hayward. Today Unisto security seals are used globally throughout the transport and distribution industry for a wide variety of applications, including sealing tote boxes, roll cages, vehicles, trailers and intermodal containers. Unisto’s blue chip customer base includes major retailers, parcel carriers and their third party logistics partners. Over 70,000 vehicles worldwide rely on the increased security and operational efficiency provided by Unisto’s electronic seals. From their transport security roots, Unisto have extended their expertise to include RFID and infrared technology, creating security solutions to meet the needs of modern distribution and logistics operators, but security seals remain their core business. Donald Miller, Sales & Marketing Director of Unisto Ltd, the UK arm, spoke to Warehouse & Logistics News. Warehouse & Logistics News - When was Unisto founded? Unisto is an international group founded by Franz Stoffel in Switzerland in 1926. Unisto began trading in the UK in 1935. WLN - Who owns Unisto now? We are still family owned: there will shortly be a transfer to the third generation when Peter Stoffel takes over as Chairman from his father Mario. WLN - How big is Unisto worldwide? We have a £65m turnover, employ around 500 people and operate in 23 countries. WLN - When did you join the company? I started in 1986 and left in 1989, returning in 1991. I was promoted to lead the UK business in 1997, and was responsible for relocating Unisto from West London to our current offices in Surrey, near Guildford, in 1999. WLN - Where do you make your security seals? We produce them at our factories in Switzerland, France and Malaysia. Last year we relocated manufacturing of our electronic seals to our state-of-the-art plant in Switzerland, where we can focus on the quality, reliability and development of the product range and peripherals. Our research, design, development, tooling and manufacturing are all undertaken in-house. WLN - Where do you make your other products? Unisto have five main manufacturing sites. Switzerland, France and Malaysia focus on security seal development and manufacture. Our two other plants in Germany and Italy manufacture brand identification products such as automotive badges, branded displays and personnel badges. WLN - Do you sell your products direct in the UK or through distributors? Unisto’s aim has always been to deal directly with end users. Building relationships and really understanding our customers’ business enables us to provide advice and solutions to customers’ problems. This also helps ensure our new product development is tightly focused on market needs and keeps the quality of our products and service under continuous review, based on feedback from customers. WLN - The main focus of this interview is transport security, but what other product areas are you active in? In the UK we are strong in “brand premiumisation,” especially for the drinks industry: for example, we supply Diageo with their T seal bottle decoration for Tanqueray Gin, and designed and installed the applicators on their bottling line. In Switzerland and Japan we are very strong in the watch industry, working with brands like Rolex, Omega and Seiko, providing authentication seals and POS display. WLN - What proportion of your UK business is security seals and distribution centre management? Security seals, including electronics, are about 65% of our UK business. DC management systems are still in their early days, but have exciting growth potential. WLN - Is truck security a growing p

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