News
News Archive 2009
Kubota Fit CESAR® To Star In Security Initiative
Kubota, the market leader in the UK mini-excavator market, has today announced that it's to fit the CESAR® registration and security system to two of its popular excavator models. The machines are the U17-3, a 1,650kg mini-excavator, and the KX080-3, a 8,300kg midi-excavator. As a consequence of the move both machine now qualify for the recently introduced '3 star' security rating from the Insurance Industry Research Establishment, Thatcham.
The 3 stars, out of a possible 5, were awarded to Kubota for registering their machines with CESAR®, for having a unique ignition and immobiliser key, and for the machines being equipped with an integral immobiliser which locks the fuel, electrical and hydraulic systems.
A 'digger' is 44% more likely to be stolen than a car in the UK and overall recovery rates are as low as 5% compared to over 53% for stolen cars. New statistics issued by the The Plant and Agricultural National Intelligence Unit (PANIU, based within Scotland Yard) show that a machine without CESAR® is 4 times more likely to be stolen than a registered machines.
The recovery rate for 'unregistered' plant is as low as 5% but the recovery rate for stolen CESAR® machines has increased to nearly 30% in 2009, 6 times that for 'unregistered' plant.
CESAR® registration allows the police to check on a construction or agricultural machine in exactly the same way as they would a car through the police national computer (PNC). Police forces up and down the country are already equipped with Datatag scanners that can 'read' the hidden transponders in a machine to help identify the rightful owner even if the registration plates have been removed.
Chris Harrison, National Sales Manager for Datatag, had this to say; "It's great to see a manufacturer of Kubota's standing taking such a proactive approach to plant security. Plant theft is endemic and it's up to the industry as a whole to tackle the problem. CESAR is making a difference and the more people using it the better. Thatcham approved security devices, of which CESAR is one, make a machine less vulnerable and therefore a lower risk for an insurer which is likely to be rewarded with lower insurance premiums".
Richard Harrison, Sales Manager for Kubota in the UK commented at the announcement; "Our new 'Anti-Theft Plus' package is the most comprehensive available and now with the Thatcham seal of approval and '3 star' rating on two of our models our customers know that their new Kubota is as safe as possible. However our customers can specify CESAR as an option on the rest of the Kubota range. Our customers will also benefit from lower insurance premiums and as we know, in these tough times, every little helps"!
Date Created: 01/12/2009
McCormick Tractors To Be Protected By Anit-Theft Registration Scheme
Farmers and contractors buying a new McCormick tractor in 2010 can enjoy lower insurance premiums and their machines are less likely to be stolen thanks to joining an industry-leading initiative by distributor AgriArgo UK.
From January next year, all new McCormick tractors will be registered with CESAR, the construction and agricultural equipment theft deterrence and vehicle identification scheme, free of charge.
"We're appalled at the growing number of farm tractor thefts and the cost to owners in terms of inconvenience, distress and rising insurance premiums," says Ray Spinks, general manager. "So we're taking the initiative to safeguard our products by registering ownership details of all new McCormick tractors with CESAR."
This Government-backed national scheme is operated by vehicle identification specialist Datatag. Several construction and plant hire equipment manufacturers already protect their machines through the scheme AgriArgo UK is the first farm equipment supplier to do so.
The move follows the scheme's recent adoption by AEA, the agricultural equipment industry's trade organisation.
"The primary objective of the scheme is deterrence," explains Datatag national sales manager, Chris Harrison. "Making it clear using tamper-evident identification plates that tractors are registered makes them less vulnerable to theft. But if anyone is foolish enough to steal a registered tractor, it is much more likely to be recovered."
The scheme works by installing several tiny transponders in random locations on the tractor, together with microscopic Datadots that carry a registration number and unique 'DNA' code for each tractor. The transponders - each about the size of a grain of rice - carry a multi-digit code that can be read by thousands of scanners issued to police forces and port authorities throughout the UK and Ireland.
Each code relates to an entry on the CESAR register that gives details of the vehicle and legitimate owner this information is available to the police at any time of night or day.
The four identification plates attached to the bodywork and chassis are difficult to alter and impossible to remove without damage thanks to the way the adhesive bonds to the paint so any attempt to get rid of them obviously raises suspicions.
"It's a tried and tested system that is proven in the construction and plant hire sector," emphasises Chris Harrison. "In fact, the Plant & Agricultural National Intelligence Unit has confirmed that CESAR-equipped machinery is more than four times less likely to be stolen and the recovery rate is increased six-fold.
"Now that agriculture has become more of a target for vehicle thefts," he adds, "the time is right for the scheme's more widespread uptake in the farming industry."
Registering all new Landini tractors will give the scheme added impetus, believes Ray Spinks of AgriArgo UK.
"That's why we decided to make it standard - there is no initial or ongoing cost to the buyer or supplying dealer," he emphasises.
The most tangible benefit for anyone buying a new McCormick tractor next year is the prospect of cheaper theft insurance. NFU Mutual, which writes the majority of farm insurance policies, says it will apply a 12.5% discount after other adjustments, which on a £450 premium, represents a saving of £56 per tractor.
"On top of that, CESAR-registered tractors are less likely to be targeted by thieves," adds Ray Spinks. "Our customers have enough on their plate without the cost and inconvenience of having their tractors stolen."
Date Created: 09/11/2009
CESAR Heads To The Country Aafter CEA/AEA Agreement Signed
The Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA) has just announced that it has adopted CESAR® as its official security and registration scheme. Roger Lane-Nott, Chief Executive of the AEA, and Yvette Henshall-Bell (a Director of the CEA) signed an agreement between the AEA and the Construction Equipment Association (which owns the CESAR trade mark), during the fifth annual Construction Industry Thefts Solution conference held at the JCB world headquarters.
Originally established in February 2007 as a registration and security scheme for construction equipment, CESAR® is supported by many major machinery manufacturers including Manitou, Merlo, Bobcat, Hanix, Doosan and JCB, which fit CESAR® to all the machines they supply in the UK. In addition, Merlo and Manitou already include machines sold into agricultural applications.
Over 25,000 machines are registered on the scheme and the triangular registration plate is now a familiar sight in construction. A number of leading agricultural equipment manufacturers are expected to announce shortly that they will be fitting CESAR® to machines supplied in the UK.
Roger Lane-Nott added the support of AEA to an already successful scheme; "The CESAR® scheme gives the agricultural industry and the police a the upper hand in fighting organised criminals that target agricultural equipment. CESAR® is a powerful deterrent against machinery theft and it gives farmers, contractors and the police 'state of the art' identification technology that significantly increases the chances of recovery in the event of theft. I am delighted to announce that the AEA is getting behind the scheme in order to combat organised and opportunistic equipment theft which is a real issue in the agricultural market. It is not acceptable to have criminals targeting hard working farmers and their families".
New statistics issued by the 'Met' Police show that a machine without CESAR® is 4 times more likely to be stolen than a registered machines. To date just over 160 CESAR® registered machines have been stolen out of the total 25,000 registrations. The recovery rate for 'unregistered' plant is as low as 5% but the recovery rate for stolen CESAR® machines has increased to nearly 30% in 2009, 6 times that for 'unregistered' plant.
Kevin Howells, Director of Datatag ID and an expert on machinery theft prevention and recovery has this to say at the signing; "I'm clearly delighted that the AEA has put their considerable weight behind the CESAR® scheme but there is plenty more work to do in educating the industry regarding the real threat of machinery theft, which not only disrupts a farmer's business but which can also adversely affect the safety of the family and staff. There are, however, still many companies that are yet to adopt CESAR® which is holding back the overall effectiveness of a scheme, supported by the Home Office and the Association of Chief Police Officers, which has all-round benefits to the industry as a whole. We should all see machinery theft and security in a similar light to safety - namely an issue for everyone to tackle with the proper focus, resources, training and motivation".
As well as adopting the CESAR® scheme the AEA has also announced that it is liaising with the Plant and Agricultural National Intelligence Unit (PANIU) to aid the recovery of stolen agricultural equipment. This specialist police unit, led by Chief Inspector Will Young, is responsible for national intelligence and for co-ordinating activities between the various UK police constabularies. PANIU also liaises with foreign police bureaus to track stolen equipment from the UK, establish its true identity and repatriate it. The unit held its first national conference, alongside the CITS conference, with over 200 police officers attending from across the UK. PANIU has had considerable success already and it has recovered £650,000 worth of stolen equipment in the last 3 months, including a number of agricultural tractors.
The Plant and Agricultural National Intelligence Unit is also financially supported by six leading insurance companies (Allianz, HSB Engineering Insurance Ltd, Aviva, Royal & Sun Alliance, Zurich and, most recently, NFU Mutual).
As a final benefit to farmers, insurance premium discounts are available from leading insurers for machines fitted with CESAR®, which offsets the cost of fitting the system to existing machines.
Date Created: 06/11/2009
Landini Tractors To Be Protected By Anti-Theft Registration Scheme
Farmers and contractors buying a new Landini tractor in 2010 can enjoy lower insurance premiums and their machines are less likely to be stolen thanks to joining an industry-leading initiative by distributor AgriArgo UK.
From January next year, all new Landini tractors will be registered with CESAR, the construction and agricultural equipment theft deterrence and vehicle identification scheme, free of charge.
"We're appalled at the growing number of farm tractor thefts and the cost to owners in terms of inconvenience, distress and rising insurance premiums," says Ray Spinks, general manager. "So we're taking the initiative to safeguard our products by registering ownership details of all new Landini tractors with CESAR."
This Government-backed national scheme is operated by vehicle identification specialist Datatag. Several construction and plant hire equipment manufacturers already protect their machines through the scheme AgriArgo UK is the first farm equipment supplier to do so.
The move follows the scheme's recent adoption by AEA, the agricultural equipment industry's trade organisation.
"The primary objective of the scheme is deterrence," explains Datatag national sales manager, Chris Harrison. "Making it clear using tamper-evident identification plates that tractors are registered makes them less vulnerable to theft. But if anyone is foolish enough to steal a registered tractor, it is much more likely to be recovered."
The scheme works by installing several tiny transponders in random locations on the tractor, together with microscopic Datadots that carry a registration number and unique 'DNA' code for each tractor. The transponders - each about the size of a grain of rice - carry a multi-digit code that can be read by thousands of scanners issued to police forces and port authorities throughout the UK and Ireland.
Each code relates to an entry on the CESAR register that gives details of the vehicle and legitimate owner this information is available to the police at any time of night or day.
The four identification plates attached to the bodywork and chassis are difficult to alter and impossible to remove without damage thanks to the way the adhesive bonds to the paint so any attempt to get rid of them obviously raises suspicions.
"It's a tried and tested system that is proven in the construction and plant hire sector," emphasises Chris Harrison. "In fact, the Plant & Agricultural National Intelligence Unit has confirmed that CESAR-equipped machinery is more than four times less likely to be stolen and the recovery rate is increased six-fold.
"Now that agriculture has become more of a target for vehicle thefts," he adds, "the time is right for the scheme's more widespread uptake in the farming industry."
Registering all new Landini tractors will give the scheme added impetus, believes Ray Spinks of AgriArgo UK.
"That's why we decided to make it standard - there is no initial or ongoing cost to the buyer or supplying dealer," he emphasises.
The most tangible benefit for anyone buying a new Landini and McCormick tractor next year is the prospect of cheaper theft insurance. NFU Mutual, which writes the majority of farm insurance policies, says it will apply a 12.5% discount after other adjustments, which on a £450 premium, represents a saving of £56 per tractor.
"On top of that, CESAR-registered tractors are less likely to be targeted by thieves," adds Ray Spinks. "Our customers have enough on their plate without the cost and inconvenience of having their tractors stolen."
Date Created: 06/11/2009
The Agricultural Industry Gets Behind CESAR
The official CESAR security and registration scheme kicked off its drive into agriculture with united support from the industry at the annual Tillage equipment show organised by the Agricultural Engineers Association (AEA). Roger Lane-Nott, Chief Executive of the AEA, told the press that the agricultural industry needs to get behind this ground breaking scheme to help eradicate the growing problem of equipment theft.
This is a timely initiative as figures released by NFU Mutual show a sharp rise in farm thefts. Their annual rural crime survey, released at the Royal Show in July, shows that farm equipment thefts rose by 16.5% across the UK while tractor thefts rose by 5.5%.
Also at the show, to lend support to the launch, was Chief Inspector Will Young head of the Plant and Agricultural National Intelligence Unit (PANIU). This specialist unit is responsible for national intelligence and for co-ordinating activities between the various UK police constabularies. PANIU also liaises with the police overseas, including Europol and Interpol, to help identify and track stolen equipment from the UK, establish its true identity and repatriate it. New statistics issued by PANIU show that a machine without CESAR is 4 times more likely to be stolen than a CESAR registered machines. Plus, the recovery rate for 'unregistered plant' is as low as 5% but the recovery rate for stolen CESAR machines has increased to almost 30%, in the second quarter of 2009, 6 times that for 'unregistered plant'.
Kevin Howells, Director of Datatag ID, and an expert on machinery theft commented after receiving the support of the AEA; "I'm delighted that the AEA has pledged its total support for the official CESAR scheme especially as new figures from PANIU show the schemes effectiveness as a deterrent and in effecting recovery.
Unfortunately farms are increasingly being targeted by organised criminals and machinery security and registration should be seen in a similar light to farm safety, namely an issue for everyone to tackle with the proper focus, resources, training and motivation. We shall be announcing support from leading insurers soon who are keen to provide incentives for security conscious customers. Several major agricultural equipment manufacturers will be making significant announcements shortly as they gear up to fit CESAR during the manufacturing process.
However, farmers needn't wait as CESAR can be easily and cost effectively fitted to existing equipment for a very low one-off cost, with equipment being protected and registered for life. Insurance premium discounts are available from leading insurers for machines fitted with CESAR which offsets the cost of fitting the system to existing machines, a win-win situation".
CESAR has to be fitted by accredited technicians who have been thoroughly trained by Datatag and the police and approved by the CEA or the AEA. Several manufacturers' dealers and national hydraulic hose replacement specialists Pirtek are equipped to fit CESAR in the agricultural market. For more information or to find the nearest authorised technician go to the CESAR website at www.cesarscheme.org
At a time when equipment theft is on the increase CESAR provides a cost effective anti-theft deterrent and an invaluable and unique way of establishing a machines true identity and aiding recovery.
Date Created: 23/09/2009
Travis Perkins Endorse CESAR
Travis Perkins, the UK's leading builders' merchant, has announced that it has specified the fitment of CESAR on all its new construction equipment for its hire operation.
The official CESAR scheme, which has been running for approximately 2 years, was designed to protect and register all types of agricultural and construction machinery. It is supported by many major manufacturers who fit CESAR to the machines they supply into the UK. Over 23,000 machines have been registered in the scheme since its inception and the triangular registration plate is now a familiar sight in construction.
The first machines to be delivered to Travis Perkins with CESAR are 240 Bobcat mini-excavators, in a range of sizes from 0.75 to 2.5 tonnes, and 40 ES100 skid-steer loaders. The order, worth over £3.1m, will be completed by the end of August with machines going to 124 of Travis Perkins 185 Hire branches nationwide.
Richard Dey, Group Hire Director of Travis Perkins, commented at the announcement: "We're all aware of the threat and the cost of plant theft. CESAR is an effective deterrent against theft and should the worst happen a unique aid to recovery. We owe it to our customers to minimise the risk of theft and the disruption it causes. We have no hesitation is specifying and endorsing CESAR".
New statistics issued by the Plant and Agricultural National Intelligence Unit of the Met Police show that a CESAR registered machine is 6 times more likely to be recovered, than an unregistered one, which is 4 times more likely to be stolen in the first place!
CESAR registration allows the police to check on a construction machine in exactly the same way as they would a car through the police national computer (PNC). Police forces up and down the country are equipped with Datatag scanners that can 'read' the hidden transponders in a machine to help identify the rightful owner even if the registration plates have been removed. The Datatag system that is fitted to the Bobcat machines includes a number of hidden miniature security transponders, liquid 'DNA' which is painted on the machines in a number of places and Datadots®, miniature microdots which are suspended in the liquid DNA. The machines are also fitted with two 'tamper-proof' registration plates with a unique number that is registered on the DVLA computer to which the police have access around the clock.
Chris Harrison, National Sales Manager for Datatag had this to say: "We're clearly delighted that a prestigious group like Travis Perkins has decided to insist on CESAR to protect its equipment and safeguard its customers. The latest crime statistics show an increase in machine thefts but CESAR is increasingly being shown to be to be both a powerful deterrent against theft in the first place and an indispensable aid in machine recovery. Travis Perkins is to be applauded for taking this stance".
Date Created: 09/09/2009
CESAR Reaches Star Status
Datatag ID Limited, the market leader in security marking and the power behind the Official Construction Equipment Security and Registration Scheme (CESAR) has gained a prestigious Quality Assurance Accreditation from Thatcham, the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre for its vehicle identification and registration system-CESAR.
Thatcham has had a 5 star rating scale for vehicle security for some time but the rating for construction and agricultural equipment was only announced recently at New Scotland Yard on Monday March 23rd. The Insurance industry is behind this initiative as they continue to strive to reduce plant and machinery theft and improve recovery rates. The Thatcham star rating scheme for construction and agricultural equipment provides an indication of the quality of design and anticipated effectiveness of plant equipment anti-theft measures and is based on the following 5 critical security points:
Vehicle Security identification & registration by using the Official CESAR Scheme.
Key Security.
Thatcham approved engine immobiliser.
Peripheral Security.
After-Theft Satellite Tracking System to Thatcham category 5.
Datatag has achieved star status with the unique, innovative and unique vehicle identification and registration system - CESAR. The Datatag system acts as the most powerful of theft deterrents and protects construction and agricultural equipment by including at least 2 clearly visible triangular 'tamper proof' registration plated with a unique vehicle identification number, a number of hidden miniature transponders or tags, invisible forensic liquid DNA and last but not least, hundreds of Datadots ® which are virtually impossible to find and remove. Crucially, and uniquely, CESAR registers equipment on the DVLA's Off Road Register (ORR) which gives the Police instant access to the data via the Police National Computer (PNC). Datatag is accredited to ISO 9000:2000 and LPS 1224 standards. Its has also achieved "Secured by Design" status under ACPO and Home Office accreditation, one of the highest security accreditations around. CESAR is reckoned to be probably the most cost effective solution for a machinery manufacturer to achieve a star rating for their equipment.
A 'digger' is now 44% more likely to be stolen than a car in the UK and recovery rates are as low as 5% for construction equipment compared to over 54% for cars. CESAR the official Construction Equipment Security and Registration scheme is credited with reducing plant theft and aiding recovery by a factor of 6.
Thatcham's Vehicle Security specialists will carry out a full New Vehicle Security Assessment (NVSA P) on all construction and agricultural equipment submitted for assessment and will award stars, one for each of these important security features that meet the required standards. Any equipment submitted that has CESAR fitted as standard will 'automatically' be awarded at least 1 star. The Datatag system and technology was tested in many ways, including exposure to extreme temperatures, harsh environments, manual destruction and even required the forensic analysis of the smallest Datatag DNA sample and basic tests, such as pouring boiling water over the CESAR identification plates - All of the technology and procedures passed this aggressive and testing Thatcham process.
Although publicly available via Thatcham's website the star ratings will primarily act as a tool for insurers to evaluate risk on a particular piece of equipment. Thatcham's recommend minimum standard, representing adequate security levels is 3 stars, and manufacturers will have to achieve at least this level in order to be viewed favourably by insurers which should mean substantial annual savings for machinery users protecting and registering with the Official CESAR Scheme.
Speaking at the specially arranged briefing at Scotland Yard, Mike Briggs, Vehicle Security Manager at Thatcham, said "The launch of the new star ratings is an important breakthrough for the plant industry. Not only does it indicate how seriously insurers are taking the issue of plant theft, but it will begin to drive improvements in standard fit security through manufacturers and therefore to address some of the shocking plant theft statistics that we are currently seeing."
Chris Harrison, Sales Manager of Datatag had this to say when awarded the certificate: "We're clearly delighted to have our unique security and registration product recognised by Thatcham after an exhaustive evaluation. We already have most of the leading construction equipment brands, including JCB, Hanix, Doosan,Takeuchi, Merlo and Manitou, using CESAR but with this new initiative by Thatcham we hope to add to the list in the coming months".
Date Created: 18/05/2009
