SPIKE BARRIERS PROVIDE ADDED SECURITY AT CHILEAN BEVERAGE PLANT
The extensive growth pattern exhibited by Chilean producer of diversified beverages Compañia de las Cervecería Unidas S.A. (CCU), resulted in the need for more accurate access control of delivery trucks entering and leaving the premises. After careful consideration, CCU’s risk management team approached South African manufacturer Turnstar Systems to provide a suitable access control system.
CCU was founded in 1902 and the company produces both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages, as well as operating in the food sector. The company has operations in Chile and Argentina. It is Chile’s largest brewer, the second largest brewer in Argentina, the third largest soft drink producer in Chile, the second largest wine producer, the largest bottler of mineral water and nectar in Chile, one of the largest pisco producers in the region, and it participates in the candy manufacturing business in Chile.
The CCU product portfolio includes its own brands, as well as licensed and imported brands, maintaining licensing agreements and/or joint ventures with Heineken International N.V., Anheuser-Busch Inc., PepsiCo Inc., Paulaner Brewery GmbH & Co. KG, Dr Pepper Snapple Group Inc. (formerly Cadbury Schweppes), Guinness Brewery (a subsidiary of Diageo Plc), and Societe des Produits Nestlé S.A.
CCU has over 6 400 employees and produces over 19 million hectolitres of beverages, serving more than 330 000 clients in Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay. Controlling access in such a huge operation can be a logistical nightmare so Turnstar Systems has supplied 10 Talon spike barriers for the company’s Chilean bottling plant.
Established in 1990, Turnstar provides a total physical security solution for all access control and time & attendance (T&A) applications. The company’s solution for the controlled access of delivery trucks had to consider a multi-pronged approach. “The newly designed entrance and exit at CCU’s plant includes two feeder areas that filter the trucks into a secure zone incorporating an operations control room. The vehicles are thoroughly checked by the security guards to ensure that their cargo matches the delivery note, then they are free to enter or exit the property via one of three lanes, depending on their destination,” said Turnstar Director Craig Sacks.
Leveraging its extensive experience and widespread local and international footprint, Turnstar Systems selected its Talon spike barriers as the optimum solution. The spike barriers are placed at the primary entrance and then again after the control room. In order to ensure full coverage of each lane, four 3-metre Talon barriers, two 3.5-metre Talon barriers, two 4-metre Talon barriers and two 6-metre Talon barriers are placed in pairs across the incoming and outgoing lanes.
The Talon spike barriers are the ideal solution for unsupervised vehicular access and are designed with durability and strength in mind. CCU chose a recessed mounting for the spike barriers to ensure minimal disruption, extended durability and maximised security.
Designed by a highly experienced engineering team, the one-way stainless steel powder coated spikes extend 85 mm above the road surface and are operated using a heavy-duty spike motor drive mechanism. Each spike is fitted with a fail-safe spring mechanism, which ensures that the spikes lower in the event of a power failure.
“Feedback from CCU indicates that they are pleased with the reliable operation and added security provided by the Talon spike barriers. The steady flow of traffic is ensured, while at the same time maximised security levels are afforded,” Sacks concludes.