Real-time delivery of Beckham books by TNT Network Logistics
16 September 2003 - 08:54 CET
One of the greatest security operations ever undertaken by TNT Network Logistics ended at midnight on Friday, 12 September when the long-awaited David Beckham auto-biography was finally released to the public.
For the last two weeks, the logistics company has been responsible for the storage and distribution of ‘My Side', published by HarperCollins Publishers, as they rolled off the printing presses.
750,000 copies of the book were handled under tight security at a central warehouse facility in the Midlands, but, over the last few days, they have been distributed to wholesalers, export houses and supermarkets throughout England.
Part of the top security operation involved a consignment of books being transported to Madrid for David Beckham's press conference. A TNT vehicle carrying a 6 ft x 4 ft version of the book, 400 copies for journalists and merchandising material arrived at the Ritz hotel, the day before the event. The vehicle was tracked using GPS technology and real-time progress reports were delivered four-hourly to HarperCollins.
"Once again TNT have shown their true professionalism in handling HarperCollins books, we have been working for over two months on the logistical planning of this book, it is pleasing to be able to acknowledge the success of this operation. TNT and HarperCollins staff worked 24/7 amid tight embargo constraints proving that we have the best logistics solutions to meet the Book Industry needs. It has been a pleasure to work with TNT on such a high profile book as David Beckham's," said Andrew Love, Supply Chain Director, HarperCollins Publishers.
David Bermingham, Managing Director at TNT Network Logistics, says all his staff understood the importance of the security surrounding the book launch.
"It was important to maintain a high level of security around this book launch. We have had security personnel on site 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
"All people with access to the Beckham book area were carefully vetted, signed a confidentiality agreement and, if necessary, were searched before they left."
TNT Network Logistics is the multi-user division of TNT Logistics UK. It handles a wide range of goods through its network but has a particular focus on the publishing, print and media industries and incorporates TNT Newsfast through which it delivers all the nation's daily and Sunday newspapers.
