Tracking and immobilisation: Bogus firms can be beaten

The threat posed by plant thieves setting up 'bogus companies' can be countered by vehicle tracking and remote immobilisation according to Patrick Sheeran, chief executive officer of Kosran, which manufactures the ECV Comms Keypad immobilisation and tracking system.

"Doing business with new customers is the vulnerable side of all business," he said, but added that the ECV Comms Keypad combined with in-house husbandry can provide protection against bogus companies.

By using such equipment it is possible to monitor the location and usage of machines hired out to new customers over the first two to three days. If they are at the correct location and working normally all is well, but if they are at a different location or not being worked action should be taken.

"With our system all valid keypad PIN codes for a machine can be deleted remotely using a computer or mobile phone procedure from the hire depot - and this immobilises the machine," said Sheeran. The next time the ignition is switched on the keypad will not accept any codes and in our experience very few thieves have a truck or low loader with a hoist, he adds.

If the immobilised machine is already in a safe-house/yard location it can't be moved and even if it's already on a truck, its location can be pinpointed. "If the thieves rip out our keypad to remove the tracking system they still have to overcome the electro-mechanical ECV immobilisation system," he said.

"It's just too much hassle for thieves, it takes too long and requires too much equipment and expertise - it's easier to steal another machine," Sheeran concludes.