Some of the direct and concise actions that Upala Agricola carries out to keep their exports safe include, identifying possible suspicious criminal activities through the review and inspection of containers, and implementing preventive security standards, plans, and strategies in warehouses, their facilities, and lands.
In the last year, the Eco-efficiency Department has been given the task of training its staff in preventive security issues. "We have already increased the number of security officers, who work continuously and perform simultaneous patrols and are supported by modern technology, in specific places in the plant and farm," said Owen Arguedas, the Head of Security at Upala Agricola.
Upon arrival at Upala Agricola, all containers are registered, reviewed and subjected to a series of controls. In the photo: Owen Arguedas (right), the Head of Security of Upala Agricola, is recording the necessary information with each driver
The company expects to have the international BASC regulation, which exercises a secure trade through standards that systematize productivity, improve the security of the logistics chain, and helps the company's operating processes, operating in this first semester.
In addition, the company expects to have dogs in its plants and farms in the second quarter of 2018 to detect prohibited substances to guarantee nobody tampers with the fruit's chain of custody.
The safety mark is fundamental in every load. Owen Arguedas, Upala Agricola's Head of Security, performs the corresponding registration.
First positive consequences
The safety standards that Upala Agricola has implemented boost the controlled processes that the company has implemented throughout its almost 10-year history in producing, marketing, packaging, and exporting fresh pineapple.
By increasing the number of people in security, the company is giving a prompt and timely response to the warnings that people in neighboring communities have given it about illegal acts against the company. The company is taking care of these situations with the support of the corresponding authorities.
Upala Agricola's security team coordinates security plans within pineapple plantations, using state-of-the-art technological resources.
Current strategic alliances
The company has alliances with the Public Force and the Judicial Investigation Agency to deal with any suspicious instance inside or outside the farm. The company expects to prevent any possible criminal activities by increasing its technological equipment (remote security), meeting international standards, and having more personnel and units for day and night patrols.
"One of our objectives is that, by the end of the second quarter of 2018, we have air monitoring and security. It's something that we have already planned as part of our control strategy and regulation," said Owen Arguedas, Head of Security at Upala Agricola.
More information:
Luis Alberto Vásquez Ovares
Head of the Communication Department
Upala AgrícolaTel.: +506 2480-0100 / Fax: +506 2480-0121
informacion@upalagricola.com
www.upalagricola.com