World’s Largest Merchandise Agency Attains Custom-Trade Partnership Against TerroriSM (C-TPAT) Certification to Comply with Homeland Security Requirements
Woodinville, WA – February 20, 2008 - Bensussen Deutsch & Associates, Inc. (BDA), the nation’s premier Merchandise AgencySM, today announced it has officially been accepted as a member of the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism(C-TPAT) program, a joint initiative between the U.S. government and businesses, created to protect cargo and improve the flow of international trade.
The certification highlights BDA’s advanced quality assurance practices and its commitment to keeping employees and clients safe from potential threats of terrorism. In meeting C-TPAT qualifications, BDA’s customers benefit from enhanced supply chain transparency to ensure visibility throughout the entire import process – whether it is factory packaging or client delivery. C-TPAT level standard operating procedures mean there is significantly less opportunity for freight tampering, and thus serves to reduce instances of inspection by U.S. Customs. This further improves BDA’s delivery rate to clients.
“For over a year, a team of dedicated BDA employees have worked to meet the stringent U.S. Customs and Border Protection requirements of the C-TPAT certification,” said Jay Deutsch, CEO of BDA. “This is a process well worth undertaking when employee and client safety is vital and unexpected scrutiny of containers can diminish supply chain efficiency. While this will not eliminate inspections, it will place BDA in a special class and accelerate our overall delivery process.”
Developed after the terrorismacts of September 11, 2001, U.S. Customs and Border Protection instituted C-TPAT, a voluntary partnership program designed to ensure a more secure and efficient international supply chain and U.S. border security. The first of its kind, C-TPAT’s mission is to detect and prevent terrorists and terrorist weaponry from entering the U.S., while facilitating the orderly and efficient flow of legitimate trade through the country’s borders.
Currently, the certification is voluntary and fewer than 3,000 major U.S. importers have successfully undergone the process. To become C-TPAT-certified, businesses must complete an extensive application that includes detailed corporate information, a supply chain security profile, and an acknowledgement of voluntary participation. Companies must then conduct a comprehensive assessment of their supply chain security procedures using criteria developed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
ABOUT BDA
Bensussen Deutsch & Associates, Inc. (BDA), the nation's first and only Merchandise AgencySM, provides marketing services and customized branded merchandise to Fortune 500 enterprises, major sports leagues and global entertainment holding companies. Clients come to BDA to extend their reach through custom branded-merchandise campaigns, integrated e-commerce marketing, and sports and entertainment sponsorship activation. With revenues reaching more than $256 million, the Seattle-area company is the leading promotional merchandise provider in the United States and a principal player in licensed consumer products worldwide, employing more than 500 people in 25 locations. Global brands such as Bank of America, Dell, GlaxoSmithKline, ExxonMobil, and FedEx are but a few of the household names that rely on BDA to bring their marketing campaigns to life through merchandise. Additionally, BDA is the Preferred Premium Agency of Major League Baseball and the official branded merchandise agency of FremantleMedia North America (owner of American Idol and other well-known shows). BDA is the number one in-stadium sports promotion agency, providing merchandise and promotions for the NFL, NBA and NHL. For more information on the power of merchandise, visit www.bdainc.com
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BDA Media Contact:
Kelly Mickelson
Barokas PR for BDA
206.264.8220
bda@barokas.com